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This proved to be almost a flawless outing for Xabi Alonso's squad, who beat their arch-rivals by a 2-1 scoreline during the famous derby and stretch the gap in first place in the Spanish league with a five-point cushion.

Bellingham notched his maiden domestic strike and setup this term following a tough spell healing from surgery on his shoulder.

Kylian Mbappe continued his clinical performance when scoring, while the manager's strategy during his debut Clasico as coach functioned perfectly.

But then the Vinicius Junior question emerged again yet again.

Dissatisfied with being substituted, the Brazilian winger ranted while walking directly past his manager before headed down the tunnel, then coming back on the sidelines after a short while.

Tactical Setup Yields Success for Jude Bellingham

As first Clasicos go, this wasn't a bad one, given that seven of Madrid's last eight bosses lost their first La Liga meeting with their rivals.

Following the player-focused style of Carlo Ancelotti did not deliver in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model produced a significant outcome.

A specialist noted, The strategy worked brilliantly. Real Madrid were very good, and Barcelona didn't play well because of what Real Madrid were doing.”

Defensively, they pressed high consistently, if overcome, they fell back in a structured manner, everybody including the forward.”

Their defensive setup with two banks spaced by 5-10 meters. Barca struggled to penetrate.”

This approach seems beneficial for the midfielder, who last season had been tasked to cover multiple roles in the center and additional duties.

In the lineup the young star played on the right, however he could to drift inward and either support Mbappe or crash the penalty area.

Balague added, With the French midfielder in the middle, this provides greater energy and better ability to close down the spaces.”

“That forced them to put Bellingham on the right-hand side. I'm sure he would have been asked to monitor the forward's positioning when he had the ball and had space, connecting with him a few times.”

“He was asked to get into the box and operate on the edge of the box, where he poses a threat. He also came inside to block central spaces and make Barca's task challenging.”

Vinicius Tensions Laid Bare

There's no doubting that supporters adore Vinicius, calls for him were sung multiple times by a fervent home supporters.

Yet multiple countless reports in recent months that the club could entertain selling him if the right offer were to come in.

He has one year remaining on his contract when this term concludes, yet talks over a new deal have not progressed.

Vinicius' behavior to being replaced in the second half spoke of strained relations. After the full-time whistle, he had to be restrained as he attempted to confront Yamal.

Balague said, He will face backlash for good reason, since it displayed a lack of respect for Rodrygo taking his place.”

However, from a young age, his life has been in a challenging environment, and he believes that he faces opposition.”

“That mentality is difficult to shake, especially when you feel close to being number one in the world, but the team redirects attention in favor of Mbappe as the main man.”

“This season he has perceived that the club has not supported him. Reports suggest, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they might accept if someone paid €250 million to sign him and let him go.”

“He feels all that, so when Alonso subbed him – fairly, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as expected – to him he says why single me out?’.”

“It will be difficult to mend relations with the club and him now.”

Barcelona Style “Struggles”

Having triumphed in all four of recent Clasicos, Sunday's performance was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing early form.

Injuries have deprived Hansi Flick of crucial contributors such as Raphinha, Lewandowski plus others, and the tactical setup isn't working when they are missing.

The analyst said, The squad seems is a little bit less sharp without the ball, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive to get the possession back.”

Opponents find it simpler to break them down. Should the defense is not organized, like on Mbappe's strike as Balde played him onside, the midfield doesn't assist by the midfield and forwards failing to press the ball-carrier adequately.”

Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief earlier, was neutralized.

The big names were below par. Yamal appears he's in good form, possibly because of injury issues