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This proved to be almost a perfect performance from Xabi Alonso's squad, who overcame Barcelona by a 2-1 scoreline in the Clasico and increase their lead in first place of the domestic championship to five points.

Jude Bellingham notched his first goal in the league and setup this campaign following a difficult few months healing from a shoulder operation.

Kylian Mbappe maintained his deadly form in front of goal, while the coach's game plan in his inaugural derby as coach functioned perfectly.

Yet the issue surrounding Vinicius emerged again another time.

Frustrated at being substituted, the Brazilian winger complained while walking straight past the coach and headed to the dressing room, then coming back to the bench after a short while.

Tactical Setup Delivers Results from the Midfielder

In his first derby, this wasn't a bad one, given that seven of Madrid's previous eight bosses lost their initial La Liga meeting with their rivals.

After the player-focused style from the previous coach failed to get results last season, his structured approach delivered an important victory.

Spanish football analyst commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. Madrid were very good, while Barca didn't play well because of Madrid's tactics.”

“Without the ball, they pushed up as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they tracked back with discipline, everybody including the forward.”

The team's shape with two banks spaced by five to 10 metres. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”

This approach seems positive for Jude, as he previously was expected to cover multiple roles in the engine room and beyond.

In the lineup Bellingham played on the right, but actually he could to drift inward and link with Mbappe or crash the penalty area.

The expert added, With Eduardo Camavinga in the middle, this provides increased movement and more ways to close down the channels.”

This led to the team to position Jude wide right. I'm sure he would have been asked to keep an eye on the forward's positioning when he had the ball with room, and he located him a few times.”

His instructions included to enter the area and operate on just outside the box, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to block central spaces and cause Barca's task challenging.”

Strained Relations Exposed

It's clear that the fans love Vinicius, his chant rang out on several occasions by a fervent Bernabeu crowd.

But multiple countless reports lately that Real Madrid could entertain letting him leave should a suitable bid were to come in.

The winger will have one season to go on his contract come the end of the season, yet talks over a new deal have stalled.

Vinicius' behavior to being replaced late in the game spoke of tension. Post-game, teammates intervened as he tried to approach Lamine Yamal.

The analyst said, Many will criticize him and rightly so, since it displayed disrespect for Rodrygo taking his place.”

Yet, growing up, he has lived in a challenging environment, and he believes that everyone is against him.”

This mindset is hard to change, especially when you consider yourself close to being the top star, then the club shifts the focus in favor of Mbappe as the key figure.”

Recently he has perceived that Real Madrid is not defending him. Rumors indicate, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they wouldn't be unhappy if someone paid 250m euros for his transfer and let him go.”

“He feels all that, and after he was taken off – fairly, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as required – in Vinicius' head he says why single me out?’.”

It may be challenging to build a bridge between the club and him currently.”

Barca's Approach “Struggles”

After winning each of the previous campaign's matches, Sunday's performance was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing early form.

Absences have robbed Hansi Flick of key players such as the Brazilian winger, Robert Lewandowski plus others, and his system is failing without them.

The expert said, Barcelona appear are slightly off when not in possession, with less desire to win it back, softer to get the possession back.”

“It's easier to attack them. If the defensive line is not perfect, like on the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde failed to step up, they are not helped from the attack not challenging those on the ball adequately.”

Lamine Yamal, who troubled Madrid of Real last season, was neutralized.

Key players did not perform well. Lamine appears he's in good form, maybe due to a groin issue