The Madrid Giants Strong yet Vinicius Issues Escalate – Major Spanish Derby Highlights

It was nearly a perfect performance from the Madrid side, as they beat Barcelona 2-1 in the famous derby and extend the gap in first place of the Spanish league by five points.

Jude Bellingham got his first goal in the league and assist of the season after a difficult spell healing from shoulder surgery.

Kylian Mbappe maintained his deadly form when scoring, and the manager's strategy in his inaugural derby as coach worked brilliantly.

But then the Vinicius Junior question came to the forefront yet again.

Dissatisfied at coming off, the Brazilian winger protested as he walked straight past his manager before marched to the dressing room, then reappearing on the sidelines later.

Manager's Approach Yields Success for Jude Bellingham

For a debut Clasico, it was a solid start, especially since seven of Real's last eight bosses lost their first league encounter against their rivals.

Following the player-focused approach from the previous coach did not deliver earlier, the new tactical system delivered its first major result.

Spanish football analyst noted, His plan was perfect. Real Madrid were very good, and Barcelona were off-color because of what Real Madrid were doing.”

“Without the ball, they applied pressure consistently, and when bypassed, they fell back with discipline, everybody including Vinicius.”

Their defensive setup in two lines spaced by 5-10 meters. The opposition could not find a way through.”

The tactical change looks to be good news for the midfielder, who in the past was essentially asked to do everything in midfield and additional duties.

On paper Bellingham played on the right, but in practice he had the freedom to drift inward and either support Mbappe or enter the box.

The expert stated, With Eduardo Camavinga in the middle, this provides increased movement and better ability to shut down the passing lanes.”

“That forced the team to put Bellingham on the right flank. Certainly he was instructed to keep an eye on the forward's positioning when he had the ball and found openings, connecting with him on several occasions.”

His instructions included to move into the penalty area and be around the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. Additionally, he moved centrally to cut off passing options creating the opponent's play very difficult.”

Vinicius Tensions Laid Bare

Undoubtedly that Madridistas love Vinicius, his chant was chanted multiple times by an enthusiastic Madrid fans.

Yet there have been numerous stories in recent months that Los Blancos could entertain letting him leave if an attractive proposal arrived.

He has one season to go on his deal come the end of the season, yet talks over a new deal have not progressed.

His response to being replaced with 20 minutes left suggested strained relations. When the match ended, he was held back when he moved toward Yamal.

Balague said, He will face backlash for good reason, since it displayed poor sportsmanship toward his replacement who replaced him.”

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

“That mentality is hard to change, particularly since you believe on the verge of number one in the world, but the team redirects attention towards Mbappe as the key figure.”

Recently he's felt that the organization isn't protecting him. There are stories, potentially club-sourced, or not denied by the club, that they wouldn't be unhappy a bid of a quarter-billion euros for him and sell him.”

“He feels all that, and when he was taken off – reasonably, since he wasn't defending as required – in Vinicius' head he questions why always me?.”

Building bridges will be tough to mend relations with the club and Vinicius now.”

Barcelona Style “Crumbles”

After winning each of the recent derbies, this outing highlighted Barca's shaky beginning of the season.

Injuries have left without Hansi Flick of key players including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski plus others, and the approach is not effective when they are missing.

Balague stated, “It's like the whole team is a little bit less sharp defensively, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive to reclaim the ball.”

“It's easier to break them down. If the defensive line is not perfect, which was the case the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, they receive little support from the attack not closing down those on the ball as expected.”

Lamine Yamal, who troubled Madrid earlier, was neutralized.

The big names weren't at their best. The youngster seems not he is at his best, maybe due to injury issues