Real Madrid Strong however Vinicius Junior Strains Intensify – Key Spanish Derby Takeaways
The match represented almost a flawless outing for Real Madrid, who beat Barcelona two goals to one during the famous derby and increase their advantage at the top of the Spanish league by five points.
Jude Bellingham notched his first goal in the league and assist this term following a difficult few months coming back from a shoulder operation.
Kylian Mbappe showed his clinical performance in attack, while Alonso's tactics in his first derby in the dugout worked like a charm.
However the issue surrounding Vinicius reared its head once more.
Dissatisfied with being substituted, the Brazilian winger protested as he walked right by his manager before marched to the dressing room, then coming back to the substitute area later.
Tactical Setup Yields Success for the Midfielder
In his first derby, this wasn't a bad one, considering the majority of Real's last eight coaches were defeated in their initial La Liga meeting against Barcelona.
Following the laissez-faire style of Carlo Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model yielded a significant outcome.
A specialist noted, The strategy worked brilliantly. Madrid were very good, and Barcelona struggled due to Madrid's tactics.”
When not in possession, they pushed up consistently, and when bypassed, they tracked back in an organised way, everybody including Vinicius.”
“They defended with two banks with a gap of 5-10 meters. Barcelona were unable to break through.”
This approach seems beneficial for Jude, as he last season had been tasked to do everything in the center and beyond.
On paper Bellingham was positioned on the right, but in practice he had the freedom to drift inward and assist the attack or get into scoring positions.
Balague stated, Employing the French midfielder in the center, you get more dynamism and additional options to shut down the channels.”
“That forced the team to position Jude on the right-hand side. Undoubtedly he would have been asked to monitor Mbappe's movements in possession and found openings, and he located him repeatedly.”
He was told to get into the box and operate on the outskirts of the area, where he poses a threat. He also drifted in to block central spaces and make the opponent's play tough.”
Conflict Issues Laid Bare
There's no doubting that the fans are fond of the Brazilian, his name was chanted repeatedly by a fervent Madrid fans.
But there have been countless reports in recent months that the club would consider selling him if the right offer arrived.
He has one season to go on his contract at the end of the campaign, yet talks over a new deal have stalled.
His response to being replaced in the second half spoke of tension. When the match ended, he was held back as he tried to approach Lamine Yamal.
Balague said, Many will criticize him and rightly so, because it showed disrespect toward his replacement taking his place.”
However, from a young age, he has existed in a challenging environment, and he believes that he faces opposition.”
“That mentality is difficult to shake, especially when you consider yourself on the verge of number one in the world, then the club redirects attention towards Mbappe as the key figure.”
Recently he has perceived that Real Madrid is not defending him. Rumors indicate, potentially club-sourced, or unchallenged by officials, that they wouldn't be unhappy a bid of 250m euros to sign him and sell him.”
This affects him, and after he was taken off – justifiably, as he ceased tracking back as expected – to him he thinks why single me out?’.”
“It will be difficult to mend relations among the parties and him now.”
Their System “Falls Apart”
Following victories in all four of last season's derbies, this outing was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.
Fitness issues have deprived the Barcelona coach of crucial contributors including the Brazilian winger, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and the approach is not effective in their absence.
Balague said, “It's like the whole team are slightly off without the ball, less hungry to recover it, with reduced intensity to reclaim the ball.”
Opponents find it simpler to create chances against them. When the backline is not organized, like on the first goal as Balde played him onside, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards not challenging those on the ball as well as they should.”
The young talent, the main threat in previous meetings, was well contained.
The big names weren't at their best. The youngster appears he's in good form, possibly because of injury issues