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The match represented nearly an ideal outing from the Madrid side, who overcame Barcelona 2-1 during the famous derby to extend their advantage at the top of the Spanish league with a five-point cushion.

Jude Bellingham scored his inaugural domestic strike along with key pass this term following a tough few months healing from a shoulder operation.

Mbappe maintained his lethal touch in front of goal, and the manager's strategy in his first Clasico in the dugout functioned brilliantly.

Yet the issue surrounding Vinicius reared its head yet again.

Unhappy at his substitution, the Brazilian winger complained on his way right by the coach and headed to the dressing room, before coming back to the bench several minutes.

Alonso System Delivers Results for Jude Bellingham

As first Clasicos go, this wasn't a bad one, given that seven of Madrid's recent managers were defeated in their initial La Liga meeting against Barcelona.

Following the laissez-faire style of Carlo Ancelotti did not deliver earlier, his structured approach yielded an important victory.

Spanish football analyst noted, The strategy worked brilliantly. Madrid were very good, and the visitors didn't play well due to the home team's approach.”

Defensively, they pushed up consistently, and if they were beaten, they tracked back with discipline, all players including Vinicius.”

Their defensive setup in two layers separated by a short distance. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”

This approach looks to be good news for Bellingham, who previously was expected to cover multiple roles in the engine room and more.

In the lineup Bellingham started wide right, but actually he could to drift inward and either assist the attack or get into scoring positions.

Balague stated, With Eduardo Camavinga in the middle, this provides increased movement and better ability to close down the channels.”

“That forced them to put Bellingham on the right flank. Certainly his role included to keep an eye on the runs of Mbappe in possession and found openings, and he found him a few times.”

“He was asked to get into the box and be around the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to cut off passing options and cause Barca's task tough.”

Strained Relations Laid Bare

There's no doubting that supporters are fond of the Brazilian, his chant rang out on several occasions by a fervent Bernabeu crowd.

However recently there were numerous stories lately that Los Blancos could entertain letting him leave should a suitable bid arrived.

The winger will have one season to go under his current terms at the end of the campaign, yet talks over a new deal are at a standstill.

His response when substituted in the second half spoke of tension. When the match ended, teammates intervened as he tried to approach Yamal.

Balague commented, Many will criticize him and justifiably, because it showed disrespect toward his replacement taking his place.”

“But since being a kid, he has existed in a challenging environment, and he feels that everyone is against him.”

“That mentality is difficult to shake, particularly since you consider yourself near the top star, then the club redirects attention towards Mbappe as the main man.”

“This season he has perceived that the organization has not supported him. There are stories, potentially club-sourced, or not denied by the club, that they would be open if someone paid a quarter-billion euros for his transfer and let him go.”

This affects him, and after Alonso subbed him – reasonably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as he should – in Vinicius' head he says ‘why me, why me again?.”

Building bridges will be tough to mend relations among the parties and him now.”

Barca's Approach “Falls Apart”

Following victories in all four of last season's derbies, the latest display represented Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.

Injuries have left without Hansi Flick of crucial contributors such as Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and the approach isn't working in their absence.

The expert commented, Barcelona appear lack sharpness without the ball, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive to get the possession back.”

“It's easier to create chances against them. If the defensive line is not organized, like on the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards failing to press those on the ball adequately.”

Yamal, tormentor-in-chief in previous meetings, was neutralized.

The big names were below par. The youngster doesn't feel like he is at his best, maybe due to injury issues