The Madrid Giants Impressive however Vinicius Junior Tensions Intensify – Key Spanish Derby Talking Points
It was nearly an ideal day for the Madrid side, as they overcame their arch-rivals two goals to one in the famous derby and extend their advantage at the summit in the Spanish league with a five-point cushion.
Jude Bellingham notched his maiden goal in the league and setup of the season following a challenging period healing from surgery on his shoulder.
The French forward maintained his clinical performance in attack, while the coach's game plan in his first derby as coach functioned perfectly.
However the Vinicius Junior question emerged again once more.
Dissatisfied at being substituted, the star forward complained while walking straight past Xabi Alonso before headed off the pitch, before returning to the substitute area several minutes.
Manager's Approach Gets Results from Jude Bellingham
For a debut Clasico, Alonso did well, given that seven of Madrid's last eight bosses lost their initial La Liga match with their rivals.
After the laissez-faire approach under Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, his structured approach delivered an important victory.
An expert commented, “He got it spot on. Real Madrid were very good, and Barcelona struggled because of the home team's approach.”
When not in possession, they applied pressure as much as possible, and when bypassed, they fell back in an organised way, everybody including the forward.”
The team's shape in two lines spaced by a short distance. Barca struggled to penetrate.”
The new system looks to be good news for the midfielder, as he last season was expected to cover multiple roles in midfield and more.
On paper Bellingham was positioned on the right, but in practice he was allowed to move centrally and either assist the attack or enter the box.
The expert continued, With the French midfielder in the middle, it brings increased movement and better ability to close down the channels.”
As a result them to put Bellingham on the right flank. I'm sure he was instructed to track the forward's positioning when he had the ball with room, connecting with him repeatedly.”
He was told to move into the penalty area and position himself near the edge of the box, where he poses a threat. He also came inside to close the inside channels creating Barcelona's life tough.”
Vinicius Tensions Laid Bare
It's clear that supporters love Vinicius, his name was chanted multiple times by a fervent home supporters.
Yet multiple numerous stories lately that the club might think about letting him leave if the right offer was made.
He has one season to go on his deal when this term concludes, but talks over a new deal have not progressed.
Vinicius' behavior when substituted in the second half spoke of strained relations. After the full-time whistle, teammates intervened as he attempted to confront Lamine Yamal.
The expert said, “Everyone will have a go at him for good reason, as it demonstrated a lack of respect for the substitute taking his place.”
Yet, growing up, he has lived amid adversity, and perceives that everyone is against him.”
Such thinking is difficult to shake, especially when you consider yourself on the verge of the best player, but the team shifts the focus to Mbappe as the main man.”
Recently he's felt that Real Madrid isn't protecting him. Reports suggest, possibly leaked by the club, or with the club not denying it, that they might accept a bid of 250m euros to sign him and allow him to leave.”
This affects him, so when the coach substituted him – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as expected – in Vinicius' head he says why always me?.”
“It will be difficult to reconcile with the club and him at the moment.”
Barca's Approach “Falls Apart”
Following victories in all four of recent Clasicos, Sunday's performance represented Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.
Fitness issues have left without the Barcelona coach of key players such as Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and the approach isn't working without them.
Balague said, Barcelona appear are slightly off without the ball, with less desire to win it back, softer to get the possession back.”
They are more vulnerable to create chances against them. When the backline is not organized, like on the first goal because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, they receive little support by the midfield and forwards not challenging opponents in possession as well as they should.”
Yamal, the main threat in previous meetings, was well contained.
Key players did not perform well. Lamine doesn't feel like in top condition, maybe due to groin problems