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It was almost an ideal day from the Madrid side, as they defeated their arch-rivals by a 2-1 scoreline during El Clasico and increase their advantage at the summit in the Spanish league by five points.

The English midfielder notched his inaugural goal in the league and key pass of the season after a challenging spell coming back from surgery on his shoulder.

Mbappe showed his clinical touch in front of goal, and Alonso's tactics during his debut Clasico as coach proved like a charm.

Yet the Vinicius Junior question emerged again another time.

Dissatisfied with being substituted, Vinicius protested while walking right by the coach and marched to the dressing room, before coming back on the sidelines several minutes.

Manager's Approach Gets Results from Jude Bellingham

As first Clasicos go, Alonso did well, considering seven of Real's previous eight coaches lost their first La Liga match against Barcelona.

Following the relaxed approach under Ancelotti failed to get results last season, his structured approach produced its first major result.

An expert noted, His plan was perfect. Real Madrid were impressive, while Barcelona struggled because of the home team's approach.”

Defensively, they pushed up consistently, and when bypassed, they fell back in an organised way, everybody including Vinicius.”

“They defended in two layers spaced by five to 10 metres. Barca could not find a way through.”

The tactical change seems good news for the midfielder, who last season had been tasked to cover multiple roles in the engine room and additional duties.

In the lineup the 22-year-old started wide right, but actually he could to drift inward and support Mbappe or enter the box.

The analyst stated, Employing the French midfielder in the middle, you get increased movement and more ways to block the passing lanes.”

“That forced the team to put Bellingham on the right flank. Certainly he was instructed to track Mbappe's movements when he had the ball and found openings, and he located him repeatedly.”

His instructions included to enter the area and operate on the outskirts of the area, his most effective zone. He also came inside to close the inside channels and make the opponent's play very difficult.”

Vinicius Tensions Laid Bare

Undoubtedly that Madridistas are fond of the Brazilian, calls for him was chanted repeatedly by a fervent Bernabeu crowd.

Yet recently there were countless reports over the past period that the club could entertain selling him if an attractive proposal arrived.

The winger will have one year remaining on his contract come the end of the season, yet talks over a new deal are at a standstill.

The player's reaction when substituted in the second half spoke of strained relations. After the full-time whistle, he was held back when he moved toward the Barcelona player.

The analyst said, He will face backlash and justifiably, because it showed a lack of respect for the substitute taking his place.”

“But since being a kid, he has existed in a hostile world, and he believes that everyone is against him.”

This mindset is hard to change, notably when you feel near number one in the world, then the club shifts the focus to Mbappe as the key figure.”

During this campaign he's felt that the club has not supported him. Reports suggest, potentially club-sourced, or not denied by the club, that they might accept a bid of €250 million to sign him and sell him.”

This affects him, and when the coach substituted him – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as he should – in his mind he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”

It may be challenging to mend relations with the club and Vinicius now.”

Barca's Approach “Falls Apart”

Having triumphed in all four of last season's Clasicos, Sunday's performance highlighted Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.

Injuries have robbed Hansi Flick of key players such as the Brazilian winger, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and the tactical setup is failing without them.

The expert commented, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp defensively, less hungry to recover it, softer to get the possession back.”

They are more vulnerable to attack them. Should the defense is not organized, like on the first goal as Balde played him onside, they receive little support by teammates not closing down the ball-carrier adequately.”

Yamal, the main threat in previous meetings, was well contained.

“Their stars were below par. The youngster doesn't feel like he's in good form, maybe due to a groin issue