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The match represented practically a perfect day for Xabi Alonso's squad, as they overcame Barcelona two goals to one during the famous derby to increase their advantage at the top in La Liga by five points.

The English midfielder notched his maiden goal in the league and setup of the season after a difficult spell coming back from shoulder surgery.

Kylian Mbappe continued his lethal touch in attack, and the manager's strategy in his inaugural Clasico on the sidelines worked brilliantly.

However the Brazilian's situation came to the forefront once more.

Dissatisfied with coming off, the Brazilian winger protested while walking directly past Xabi Alonso and headed down the tunnel, before reappearing on the sidelines several minutes.

Manager's Approach Yields Results for the Midfielder

For a debut Clasico, Alonso did well, given that seven of Real's last eight managers lost their debut league match with Barca.

After the player-focused approach under Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model yielded its first major result.

Spanish football analyst observed, The strategy worked brilliantly. The home side performed excellently, and the visitors struggled due to the home team's approach.”

When not in possession, they pushed up consistently, and if they were beaten, they tracked back in an organised way, everybody even Vinicius.”

Their defensive setup in two layers with a gap of a short distance. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”

This approach appears to be beneficial for Jude, who in the past had been tasked to carry the midfield in midfield and additional duties.

In the lineup Bellingham was positioned on the right, but actually he had the freedom to move centrally and assist the attack or get into scoring positions.

Balague continued, Employing Eduardo Camavinga in the middle, you get increased movement and additional options to block the channels.”

“That forced them to position Bellingham on the right flank. Certainly he was instructed to track the runs of Mbappe on the ball and had space, and he found him on several occasions.”

He was told to enter the area and be around just outside the box, his most effective zone. He also came inside to close the inside channels creating the opponent's play very difficult.”

Strained Relations Laid Bare

It's clear that supporters love Vinicius, calls for him were sung on several occasions by an enthusiastic Madrid fans.

However there have been numerous stories in recent months that Real Madrid might think about allowing his departure if the right offer was made.

Vinicius has a year left on his contract when this term concludes, yet talks over a new deal are at a standstill.

Vinicius' behavior after coming off with 20 minutes left spoke of strained relations. When the match ended, he was held back when he moved toward Yamal.

Balague said, “Everyone will have a go at him and rightly so, as it demonstrated disrespect for Rodrygo who came on for him.”

Yet, growing up, he has lived in a hostile world, and he feels that the world is hostile.”

Such thinking is difficult to shake, particularly since you feel close to being the best player, but the team redirects attention in favor of Mbappe as the main man.”

During this campaign he's felt that Real Madrid is not defending him. There are stories, perhaps from within, or not denied by the club, that they wouldn't be unhappy a bid of €250 million for his transfer and sell him.”

“He feels all that, so when Alonso subbed him – reasonably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as expected – to him he says ‘why me, why me again?.”

It may be challenging to reconcile with the club and him currently.”

Their System “Falls Apart”

Having triumphed in all four of previous campaign's matches, Sunday's performance was emblematic of their uncertain beginning of the season.

Fitness issues have left without the manager of important stars such as Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski plus others, and the tactical setup is failing when they are missing.

The analyst commented, The squad seems is a little bit less sharp defensively, less hungry to recover it, softer in pressing.”

They are more vulnerable to attack them. When the backline is flawed, like on Mbappe's strike as Balde kept him onside, the midfield doesn't assist from the attack failing to press those on the ball as well as they should.”

Lamine Yamal, who troubled Madrid in previous meetings, was neutralized.

Key players did not perform well. Yamal seems not he is at his best, perhaps he's suffering from a groin issue