Los Blancos Impressive but Vinicius Junior Strains Intensify – Major Spanish Derby Highlights

The match represented practically a flawless day for Xabi Alonso's squad, as they beat their arch-rivals two goals to one during El Clasico and increase the gap at the summit of the Spanish league by five points.

The English midfielder got his inaugural domestic strike and key pass of the season after a difficult period coming back from surgery on his shoulder.

Mbappe showed his clinical form in front of goal, and the coach's game plan during his debut El Clasico in the dugout worked brilliantly.

However the Vinicius Junior question emerged again another time.

Dissatisfied at being substituted, Vinicius protested while walking directly past Xabi Alonso before stormed down the tunnel, before returning to the substitute area several minutes.

Alonso System Delivers Success for the Midfielder

In his first derby, Alonso did well, considering seven of Real's previous eight bosses lost their first La Liga encounter with their rivals.

After the laissez-faire method under Ancelotti failed to get results last season, the new tactical system produced an important victory.

A specialist commented, His plan was perfect. Real Madrid were very good, while Barca struggled because of the home team's approach.”

“Without the ball, they applied pressure consistently, and if they were beaten, they fell back with discipline, all players including Vinicius.”

“They defended in two lines spaced by a short distance. Barcelona could not find a way through.”

This approach looks to be good news for the midfielder, as he in the past was expected to do everything in the engine room and beyond.

Theoretically Bellingham played on the right, but in practice he had the freedom to move centrally and support Mbappe or get into scoring positions.

The analyst continued, With the French midfielder in central midfield, this provides greater energy and better ability to close down the channels.”

As a result the team to position Bellingham wide right. Certainly his role included to monitor the forward's positioning when he had the ball and found openings, and he found him a few times.”

He was told to get into the box and be around just outside the box, where he is very dangerous. Additionally, he moved centrally to block central spaces and cause Barca's task tough.”

Strained Relations Revealed

There's no doubting that supporters love Vinicius, his chant rang out repeatedly by a fervent home supporters.

However there have been numerous stories lately that Real Madrid might think about selling him should a suitable bid was made.

He will have a year left under his current terms at the end of the campaign, yet negotiations for an extension have not progressed.

The player's reaction when substituted in the second half suggested tension. When the match ended, he was held back as he tried to approach Yamal.

The analyst commented, He will face backlash and rightly so, because it showed a lack of respect toward his replacement who came on for him.”

Yet, growing up, his life has been in a challenging environment, and perceives that everyone is against him.”

This mindset is difficult to shake, especially when you feel close to being the top star, but the team shifts the focus to Mbappe as the main man.”

Recently he believes that the organization is not defending him. There are stories, perhaps from within, or unchallenged by officials, that they would be open a bid of a quarter-billion euros for his transfer and sell him.”

“He feels all that, so when the coach substituted him – justifiably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as expected – in his mind he says why single me out?’.”

It may be challenging to reconcile between the club and the player now.”

Barca's Approach “Struggles”

Following victories in each of the last season's Clasicos, Sunday's performance represented Barca's shaky start to the campaign.

Injuries have robbed the Barcelona coach of important stars including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski plus others, and his system isn't working when they are missing.

The expert stated, “It's like the whole team is a little bit less sharp when not in possession, not as eager to regain possession, less aggressive to get the possession back.”

“It's easier to break them down. When the backline is flawed, which was the case the first goal as Balde kept him onside, they receive little support by the midfield and forwards failing to press the ball-carrier adequately.”

The young talent, the main threat earlier, was neutralized.

The big names weren't at their best. Lamine appears he's in good form, perhaps he's suffering from groin problems

Danny Walker
Danny Walker

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in casino reviews and strategy development, passionate about helping players succeed.