This proved to be practically a flawless day for the Madrid side, as they beat Barca two goals to one in El Clasico to increase their lead in first place in the domestic championship by five points.
The English midfielder scored his first league goal and key pass this campaign after a challenging spell healing from surgery on his shoulder.
The French forward maintained his deadly form in attack, while Alonso's tactics in his inaugural El Clasico in the dugout worked perfectly.
However the Brazilian's situation came to the forefront once more.
Frustrated at being substituted, the star forward protested while walking straight past his manager before marched to the dressing room, then reappearing to the substitute area after a short while.
For a debut Clasico, Alonso did well, considering seven of Real's last eight managers lost their initial La Liga encounter with Barca.
Following the player-focused style under Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, his structured approach yielded an important victory.
An expert commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. Madrid performed excellently, while Barca didn't play well because of the home team's approach.”
“Without the ball, they pushed up for as long as they could, and when bypassed, they retreated in an organised way, all players even the forward.”
“They defended in two lines spaced by five to 10 metres. Barcelona could not find a way through.”
This approach appears to be positive for the midfielder, who in the past was essentially asked to cover multiple roles in midfield and beyond.
In the lineup Bellingham was positioned on the right, however he could to drift inward and link with Mbappe or enter the box.
Balague added, With Camavinga in the center, it brings increased movement and more ways to close down the spaces.”
This led to them to put Jude wide right. I'm sure his role included to monitor the forward's positioning on the ball with room, and he located him a few times.”
“He was asked to enter the area and position himself near the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. He also came inside to cut off passing options and cause Barca's task very difficult.”
Undoubtedly that the fans adore Vinicius, calls for him was chanted multiple times by an enthusiastic Bernabeu crowd.
However multiple countless reports lately that the club would consider letting him leave if an attractive proposal was made.
He will have one season to go on his contract at the end of the campaign, yet negotiations for an extension have stalled.
The player's reaction to being replaced late in the game suggested tension. When the match ended, teammates intervened as he tried to approach Lamine Yamal.
The expert noted, “Everyone will have a go at him and rightly so, as it demonstrated disrespect for Rodrygo taking his place.”
Yet, growing up, he has lived in a challenging environment, and perceives that the world is hostile.”
Such thinking is hard to change, especially when you consider yourself on the verge of the best player, then the club redirects attention to Mbappe as the main man.”
During this campaign he believes that Real Madrid has not supported him. There are stories, possibly leaked by the club, or unchallenged by officials, that they would be open a bid of €250 million for his transfer and allow him to leave.”
He is aware of this, and when he was taken off – justifiably, since he wasn't defending as required – to him he thinks why single me out?’.”
It may be challenging to build a bridge with the club and Vinicius now.”
After winning each of the recent Clasicos, this outing was emblematic of Barca's shaky start to the campaign.
Injuries have robbed the Barcelona coach of key players including the Brazilian winger, the striker and Olmo, and the approach is not effective when they are missing.
The expert commented, The squad seems are slightly off without the ball, less hungry to recover it, softer to reclaim the ball.”
“It's easier to break them down. If the defensive line is not perfect, which was the case the first goal as Balde failed to step up, they receive little support by the midfield and forwards failing to press those on the ball adequately.”
Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief of Real last season, was kept largely in check.
Key players were below par. Lamine doesn't feel like he is at his best, maybe due to groin problems
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