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The match represented practically a perfect outing from the Madrid side, who overcame their arch-rivals two goals to one during the famous derby and stretch their advantage at the top of the domestic championship with a five-point cushion.

The English midfielder notched his maiden league goal and setup this campaign following a challenging period healing from a shoulder operation.

Kylian Mbappe continued his clinical performance in attack, and the coach's game plan in his first El Clasico on the sidelines proved like a charm.

However the Vinicius Junior question came to the forefront yet again.

Dissatisfied at coming off, Vinicius ranted while walking directly past the coach before stormed to the dressing room, then coming back to the bench several minutes.

Tactical Setup Delivers Success from Jude Bellingham

For a debut Clasico, it was a solid start, especially since the majority of Madrid's previous eight managers lost their initial La Liga meeting with Barcelona.

After the relaxed method under Ancelotti fell short earlier, his structured approach yielded its first major result.

An expert observed, “He got it spot on. Madrid performed excellently, and Barca were off-color due to the home team's approach.”

Defensively, they applied pressure consistently, if overcome, they tracked back with discipline, all players even the forward.”

The team's shape in two layers with a gap of five to 10 metres. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”

The new system seems positive for Bellingham, who in the past had been tasked to carry the midfield in the engine room and more.

On paper the 22-year-old started wide right, but actually he had the freedom to drift inward and assist the attack or crash the penalty area.

Balague added, With the French midfielder in the center, it brings more dynamism and more ways to block the passing lanes.”

As a result them to put Bellingham wide right. I'm sure he would have been asked to track the forward's positioning when he had the ball and had space, and he located him on several occasions.”

His instructions included to enter the area and operate on just outside the box, his most effective zone. He also drifted in to cut off passing options creating the opponent's play tough.”

Conflict Issues Revealed

It's clear that supporters love Vinicius, calls for him rang out multiple times by an enthusiastic home supporters.

But there have been numerous stories over the past period that the club could entertain allowing his departure should a suitable bid were to come in.

He will have one season to go on his deal at the end of the campaign, yet negotiations for an extension have not progressed.

His response after coming off late in the game spoke of strained relations. After the full-time whistle, he was held back as he attempted to confront the Barcelona player.

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

“But since being a kid, his life has been in a challenging environment, and perceives that the world is hostile.”

“That mentality is tough to overcome, notably when you believe close to being number one in the world, but the team drives the axis towards Mbappe as the key figure.”

During this campaign he has perceived that Real Madrid has not supported him. Reports suggest, perhaps from within, or not denied by the club, that they would be open a bid of 250m euros for his transfer and allow him to leave.”

He is aware of this, so when the coach substituted him – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as required – in his mind he questions ‘why me, why me again?.”

Building bridges will be tough to mend relations between the club and him currently.”

Barca's Approach “Struggles”

Following victories in each of the recent Clasicos, the latest display represented Barca's shaky early form.

Absences have deprived Hansi Flick of crucial contributors including Raphinha, Lewandowski plus others, and the tactical setup is failing when they are missing.

The expert said, “It's like the whole team is a little bit less sharp defensively, less hungry to recover it, softer in pressing.”

Opponents find it simpler to attack them. Should the defense is flawed, like on Mbappe's strike because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards failing to press the ball-carrier adequately.”

Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief in previous meetings, was neutralized.

“Their stars were below par. The youngster doesn't feel like he is at his best, maybe due to a groin issue