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This proved to be nearly an ideal outing for Xabi Alonso's squad, who beat their arch-rivals 2-1 in the famous derby to extend their lead in first place in the Spanish league by five points.

The English midfielder got his maiden league goal along with key pass of the season after a challenging period recovering from shoulder surgery.

Kylian Mbappe continued his clinical touch in front of goal, while the manager's strategy in his inaugural derby on the sidelines proved perfectly.

Yet the Brazilian's situation came to the forefront another time.

Unhappy with being substituted, the Brazilian winger complained as he walked right by Xabi Alonso before marched to the dressing room, before reappearing to the bench after a short while.

Tactical Setup Delivers Success for Bellingham

For a debut Clasico, this wasn't a bad one, considering seven of Madrid's last eight coaches lost their first La Liga encounter against their rivals.

After the relaxed method from the previous coach did not deliver in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model delivered a significant outcome.

An expert observed, “He got it spot on. Real Madrid performed excellently, and Barca didn't play well due to what Real Madrid were doing.”

Defensively, they applied pressure as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they retreated in an organised way, everybody even Vinicius.”

The team's shape in two lines separated by 5-10 meters. The opposition struggled to penetrate.”

The tactical change seems good news for Jude, who previously had been tasked to cover multiple roles in the engine room and beyond.

On paper the young star was positioned on the right, but actually he had the freedom to drift inward and link with Mbappe or enter the box.

The analyst added, “By using Camavinga in the middle, you get increased movement and additional options to shut down the passing lanes.”

This led to the team to position Bellingham on the right flank. Certainly his role included to track the forward's positioning when he had the ball and had space, and he found him a few times.”

“He was asked to enter the area and position himself near the outskirts of the area, where he poses a threat. He also came inside to block central spaces creating Barcelona's life tough.”

Vinicius Tensions Laid Bare

Undoubtedly that supporters are fond of the Brazilian, his name was chanted multiple times by the passionate Madrid fans.

Yet recently there were numerous stories lately that Real Madrid could entertain selling him should a suitable bid were to come in.

The winger has one season to go on his contract come the end of the season, but talks over a new deal have not progressed.

Vinicius' behavior to being replaced with 20 minutes left suggested tension. Post-game, he had to be restrained as he attempted to confront Lamine Yamal.

Balague commented, Many will criticize him and rightly so, because it showed poor sportsmanship for Rodrygo who replaced him.”

“But since being a kid, his life has been amid adversity, and he believes that everyone is against him.”

Such thinking is hard to change, notably when you feel on the verge of number one in the world, but the team drives the axis towards Mbappe as the star.”

During this campaign he believes that Real Madrid has not supported him. Rumors indicate, potentially club-sourced, or not denied by the club, that they wouldn't be unhappy an offer worth €250 million to sign him and let him go.”

This affects him, so when he was taken off – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as required – in his mind he thinks why single me out?’.”

Building bridges will be tough to mend relations between the club and the player now.”

Their System “Struggles”

After winning each of the recent derbies, Sunday's performance was emblematic of Barca's shaky beginning of the season.

Absences have left without the Barcelona coach of important stars such as the Brazilian winger, the striker plus others, and the tactical setup is failing in their absence.

Balague commented, “It's like the whole team lack sharpness when not in possession, not as eager to regain possession, less aggressive to reclaim the ball.”

Opponents find it simpler to create chances against them. When the backline is not organized, like on Mbappe's strike as Balde kept him onside, they receive little support from the attack not challenging opponents in possession as well as they should.”

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

Key players were below par. Lamine seems not he's in good form, possibly because of a groin issue