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The match represented nearly a flawless performance for the Madrid side, who overcame their arch-rivals two goals to one during the famous derby to stretch the gap in first place of La Liga with a five-point cushion.

Bellingham scored his maiden domestic strike and assist this campaign following a challenging few months healing from surgery on his shoulder.

Mbappe continued his lethal touch in front of goal, and the manager's strategy in his first El Clasico in the dugout worked perfectly.

But then the Brazilian's situation came to the forefront another time.

Unhappy with being substituted, Vinicius ranted on his way directly past his manager before stormed down the tunnel, then reappearing to the bench several minutes.

Tactical Setup Yields Results from the Midfielder

In his first derby, this wasn't a bad one, considering the majority of Real's previous eight managers lost their first La Liga meeting with their rivals.

After the laissez-faire style of Carlo Ancelotti failed to get results last season, the new tactical system delivered its first major result.

A specialist commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. Madrid were very good, and the visitors struggled due to what Real Madrid were doing.”

Defensively, they pressed high for as long as they could, and when bypassed, they tracked back in a structured manner, everybody even the forward.”

Their defensive setup in two lines spaced by a short distance. The opposition were unable to break through.”

The new system appears to be beneficial for Bellingham, who in the past was expected to carry the midfield in the engine room and beyond.

In the lineup Bellingham played on the right, but in practice he could to drift inward and either support Mbappe or enter the box.

The expert continued, With Eduardo Camavinga in the middle, it brings increased movement and more ways to shut down the spaces.”

This led to the team to deploy Bellingham on the right-hand side. I'm sure he would have been asked to monitor the runs of Mbappe when he had the ball and found openings, connecting with him a few times.”

His instructions included to move into the penalty area and be around just outside the box, his most effective zone. Additionally, he moved centrally to block central spaces and make Barcelona's life tough.”

Strained Relations Laid Bare

There's no doubting that the fans adore Vinicius, his chant were sung repeatedly by an enthusiastic home supporters.

However recently there were numerous stories in recent months that Los Blancos could entertain letting him leave should a suitable bid was made.

Vinicius has one season to go on his contract when this term concludes, but discussions on a renewal have not progressed.

His response after coming off late in the game indicated tension. When the match ended, teammates intervened when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.

The analyst noted, He will face backlash and rightly so, because it showed poor sportsmanship toward his replacement who replaced him.”

“But since being a kid, his life has been in a challenging environment, and he believes that he faces opposition.”

Such thinking is difficult to shake, especially when you consider yourself on the verge of the top star, then the club shifts the focus in favor of Mbappe as the star.”

Recently he's felt that the organization has not supported him. Rumors indicate, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they wouldn't be unhappy if someone paid €250 million for him and sell him.”

He is aware of this, and when Alonso subbed him – fairly, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as expected – in his mind he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”

“It will be difficult to reconcile among the parties and the player at the moment.”

Their System “Struggles”

Having triumphed in each of the recent matches, this outing represented their uncertain beginning of the season.

Injuries have deprived the manager of important stars including the Brazilian winger, the striker and Olmo, and the approach is not effective in their absence.

Balague commented, Barcelona appear are slightly off without the ball, less hungry to recover it, softer to get the possession back.”

“It's easier to create chances against them. When the backline is flawed, as it wasn't Mbappe's strike since the defender kept him onside, the midfield doesn't assist by teammates not challenging opponents in possession as expected.”

Lamine Yamal, the main threat earlier, was kept largely in check.

The big names were below par. Yamal doesn't feel like in top condition, maybe due to a groin issue