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The match represented nearly a flawless day for Xabi Alonso's squad, as they beat Barcelona 2-1 during El Clasico and extend the gap in first place of the Spanish league by five points.

The English midfielder notched his first domestic strike and assist of the season following a challenging spell healing from surgery on his shoulder.

Kylian Mbappe continued his deadly form when scoring, and Alonso's tactics in his first derby in the dugout functioned like a charm.

But then the issue surrounding Vinicius reared its head another time.

Dissatisfied with being substituted, Vinicius complained on his way directly past his manager before headed off the pitch, before reappearing to the bench several minutes.

Manager's Approach Yields Results from Bellingham

In his first derby, Alonso did well, given that seven of Real's recent bosses lost their first La Liga meeting with Barcelona.

After the laissez-faire approach under Ancelotti fell short in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model produced an important victory.

An expert observed, “He got it spot on. Madrid were very good, while Barca were off-color due to what Real Madrid were doing.”

When not in possession, they applied pressure for as long as they could, if overcome, they fell back with discipline, all players even the forward.”

“They defended in two layers with a gap of a short distance. The opposition struggled to penetrate.”

The tactical change seems positive for Jude, as he last season was essentially asked to do everything in the center and beyond.

On paper the young star was positioned on the right, but in practice he could to drift inward and support Mbappe or enter the box.

The analyst stated, “By using the French midfielder in the middle, this provides more dynamism and better ability to close down the channels.”

This led to them to position Jude on the right flank. Certainly he would have been asked to monitor the forward's positioning in possession and had space, and he located him repeatedly.”

His instructions included to move into the penalty area and operate on the edge of the box, where he poses a threat. He also drifted in to close the inside channels creating Barcelona's life challenging.”

Strained Relations Revealed

There's no doubting that supporters love Vinicius, his name were sung multiple times by an enthusiastic Madrid fans.

However there have been numerous stories in recent months that Real Madrid could entertain selling him if an attractive proposal was made.

He will have one season to go on his deal come the end of the season, but talks over a new deal are at a standstill.

His response after coming off late in the game indicated strained relations. After the full-time whistle, he was held back when he moved toward the Barcelona player.

The analyst commented, “Everyone will have a go at him and rightly so, because it showed poor sportsmanship for Rodrygo taking his place.”

However, from a young age, his life has been amid adversity, and he feels that the world is hostile.”

Such thinking is hard to change, notably when you feel near the best player, then the club redirects attention to Mbappe as the star.”

Recently he has perceived that the club has not supported him. There are stories, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they would be open an offer worth 250m euros for his transfer and allow him to leave.”

“He feels all that, and after Alonso subbed him – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as required – in his mind he questions ‘why me, why me again?.”

“It will be difficult to reconcile with the club and Vinicius currently.”

Their System “Struggles”

Following victories in each of the last season's Clasicos, Sunday's performance was emblematic of Barca's shaky early form.

Injuries have deprived the Barcelona coach of important stars including the Brazilian winger, Lewandowski plus others, and the approach is failing without them.

The expert stated, The squad seems lack sharpness when not in possession, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive to reclaim the ball.”

Opponents find it simpler to break them down. Should the defense is not organized, which was the case the first goal since the defender played him onside, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards not challenging opponents in possession adequately.”

Yamal, tormentor-in-chief in previous meetings, was kept largely in check.

Key players were below par. Lamine doesn't feel like in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from groin problems