Real Madrid Impressive yet Vinicius Strains Escalate – Key Clasico Talking Points
This proved to be practically a flawless performance for the Madrid side, who overcame Barcelona two goals to one in the Clasico and extend their advantage at the summit in the domestic championship to five points.
Jude Bellingham notched his inaugural domestic strike and assist this term following a tough few months healing from shoulder surgery.
Mbappe showed his deadly form in front of goal, and the coach's game plan in his first El Clasico as coach proved like a charm.
But then the Brazilian's situation emerged again yet again.
Dissatisfied at coming off, the star forward protested as he walked right by the coach and headed down the tunnel, before coming back on the sidelines after a short while.
Tactical Setup Delivers Results for the Midfielder
As first Clasicos go, it was a solid start, considering seven of Madrid's last eight managers were defeated in their initial La Liga match with Barca.
Following the laissez-faire approach under Ancelotti failed to get results earlier, his structured approach yielded an important victory.
Spanish football analyst commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. Real Madrid were very good, and Barcelona struggled due to what Real Madrid were doing.”
Defensively, they pressed high as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they fell back in an organised way, everybody even the forward.”
“They defended in two lines spaced by 5-10 meters. Barca could not find a way through.”
The tactical change seems positive for Bellingham, as he in the past was essentially asked to cover multiple roles in the center and more.
In the lineup the 22-year-old was positioned on the right, however he was allowed to move centrally and either support Mbappe or crash the penalty area.
The analyst stated, “By using the French midfielder in central midfield, this provides increased movement and more ways to shut down the spaces.”
“That forced the team to put Bellingham wide right. Undoubtedly he was instructed to track the forward's positioning in possession and found openings, connecting with him on several occasions.”
His instructions included to move into the penalty area and be around the outskirts of the area, where he poses a threat. He also came inside to close the inside channels and make Barcelona's life challenging.”
Strained Relations Exposed
There's no doubting that supporters love Vinicius, calls for him rang out repeatedly by the passionate home supporters.
However there have been countless reports over the past period that Real Madrid would consider letting him leave should a suitable bid arrived.
Vinicius has a year left on his deal at the end of the campaign, but talks over a new deal have not progressed.
The player's reaction to being replaced late in the game suggested tension. When the match ended, teammates intervened as he attempted to confront Lamine Yamal.
The expert said, “Everyone will have a go at him and rightly so, as it demonstrated disrespect for the substitute taking his place.”
However, from a young age, he has lived in a hostile world, and he feels that everyone is against him.”
Such thinking is tough to overcome, particularly since you consider yourself close to being the top star, and the organization shifts the focus towards Mbappe as the main man.”
“This season he's felt that Real Madrid has not supported him. Rumors indicate, perhaps from within, or unchallenged by officials, that they would be open if someone paid 250m euros for his transfer and sell him.”
“He feels all that, so when the coach substituted him – reasonably, since he wasn't defending as he should – in Vinicius' head he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”
Building bridges will be tough to build a bridge between the club and him now.”
Their System “Struggles”
Following victories in each of the recent Clasicos, this outing highlighted Barca's shaky beginning of the season.
Absences have deprived the Barcelona coach of important stars such as Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski plus others, and the tactical setup is failing when they are missing.
Balague commented, Barcelona appear lack sharpness when not in possession, less hungry to recover it, softer to reclaim the ball.”
“It's easier to attack them. When the backline is flawed, as it wasn't the Mbappe goal as Balde kept him onside, they are not helped from the attack failing to press those on the ball adequately.”
Yamal, tormentor-in-chief earlier, was well contained.
Key players were below par. Yamal doesn't feel like he's in good form, maybe due to injury issues