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This proved to be practically a perfect day from Real Madrid, as they defeated Barca by a 2-1 scoreline during the Clasico and stretch the gap at the summit in the domestic championship with a five-point cushion.

Bellingham got his inaugural goal in the league along with assist this campaign after a tough period coming back from shoulder surgery.

The French forward continued his deadly touch in attack, while the coach's game plan in his first derby as coach worked like a charm.

Yet the Vinicius Junior question came to the forefront once more.

Unhappy at being substituted, the Brazilian winger ranted while walking straight past Xabi Alonso before stormed to the dressing room, then reappearing to the bench later.

Tactical Setup Gets Success for Jude Bellingham

As first Clasicos go, Alonso did well, given that seven of Madrid's last eight managers were defeated in their first La Liga match with their rivals.

After the player-focused style under Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, his structured approach yielded an important victory.

An expert noted, His plan was perfect. Real Madrid performed excellently, while the visitors didn't play well due to what Real Madrid were doing.”

Defensively, they pushed up consistently, and if they were beaten, they fell back in an organised way, everybody even the forward.”

The team's shape in two layers separated by a short distance. Barcelona were unable to break through.”

The tactical change appears to be beneficial for Bellingham, who in the past was expected to do everything in midfield and beyond.

Theoretically the 22-year-old started wide right, however he could to move centrally and either link with Mbappe or get into scoring positions.

The analyst added, Employing the French midfielder in central midfield, this provides increased movement and additional options to close down the spaces.”

This led to them to position Jude on the right flank. Certainly his role included to monitor the forward's positioning on the ball and had space, and he found him repeatedly.”

His instructions included to move into the penalty area and position himself near the outskirts of the area, his most effective zone. He also drifted in to cut off passing options creating the opponent's play very difficult.”

Conflict Issues Laid Bare

It's clear that supporters love Vinicius, his name rang out repeatedly by an enthusiastic Bernabeu crowd.

But multiple various accounts over the past period that Real Madrid might think about selling him if an attractive proposal arrived.

He has a year left on his contract when this term concludes, yet negotiations for an extension have not progressed.

His response after coming off with 20 minutes left spoke of issues. Post-game, he had to be restrained when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.

The analyst noted, “Everyone will have a go at him and rightly so, as it demonstrated disrespect for Rodrygo taking his place.”

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

Such thinking is hard to change, notably when you believe near number one in the world, and the organization shifts the focus towards Mbappe as the star.”

“This season he believes that the club is not defending him. There are stories, potentially club-sourced, or not denied by the club, that they would be open a bid of a quarter-billion euros for his transfer and sell him.”

He is aware of this, and after Alonso subbed him – reasonably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as he should – in Vinicius' head he questions why single me out?’.”

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

Barcelona Style “Falls Apart”

After winning each of the last season's derbies, Sunday's performance highlighted Barcelona's unconvincing early form.

Injuries have robbed the Barcelona coach of important stars including Raphinha, Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and his system is not effective when they are missing.

Balague said, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp without the ball, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive to reclaim the ball.”

They are more vulnerable to break them down. When the backline is not perfect, which was the case the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde played him onside, they receive little support from the attack not challenging the ball-carrier as well as they should.”

Yamal, who troubled Madrid of Real last season, was well contained.

Key players did not perform well. The youngster doesn't feel like he is at his best, possibly because of a groin issue