The Madrid Giants Strong but Vinicius Strains Grow – Important Clasico Talking Points
This proved to be nearly a flawless performance from the Madrid side, as they defeated Barca 2-1 in El Clasico to increase the gap in first place of the Spanish league to five points.
The English midfielder scored his maiden domestic strike along with assist this campaign following a tough spell coming back from a shoulder operation.
Mbappe continued his clinical form in attack, while the manager's strategy in his first Clasico on the sidelines worked perfectly.
Yet the Vinicius Junior question reared its head another time.
Unhappy with his substitution, the star forward complained as he walked straight past his manager before marched to the dressing room, before returning to the substitute area after a short while.
Tactical Setup Delivers Success from Bellingham
As first Clasicos go, this wasn't a bad one, especially since seven of Madrid's last eight coaches lost their initial league match against Barcelona.
Following the laissez-faire method from the previous coach did not deliver last season, the new tactical system yielded an important victory.
Spanish football analyst commented, “He got it spot on. Madrid performed excellently, while Barcelona were off-color due to the home team's approach.”
“Without the ball, they pushed up as much as possible, if overcome, they retreated in an organised way, all players including Vinicius.”
Their defensive setup in two layers separated by 5-10 meters. Barcelona were unable to break through.”
The tactical change seems beneficial for the midfielder, who last season was essentially asked to cover multiple roles in the engine room and beyond.
In the lineup the young star started wide right, however he was allowed to come inside and either support Mbappe or get into scoring positions.
The analyst continued, With Eduardo Camavinga in the center, it brings more dynamism and additional options to block the passing lanes.”
As a result them to position Bellingham on the right-hand side. Undoubtedly his role included to track the forward's positioning when he had the ball and found openings, and he found him on several occasions.”
“He was asked to move into the penalty area and position himself near the edge of the box, where he poses a threat. He also came inside to block central spaces and make Barcelona's life tough.”
Vinicius Tensions Revealed
Undoubtedly that supporters love Vinicius, his name rang out on several occasions by an enthusiastic home supporters.
Yet there have been countless reports in recent months that Real Madrid could entertain letting him leave if the right offer was made.
Vinicius will have one year remaining on his contract come the end of the season, yet discussions on a renewal are at a standstill.
The player's reaction when substituted late in the game spoke of issues. Post-game, he had to be restrained as he attempted to confront Yamal.
The expert said, He will face backlash and rightly so, because it showed a lack of respect toward his replacement taking his place.”
However, from a young age, his life has been amid adversity, and he believes that everyone is against him.”
Such thinking is difficult to shake, particularly since you believe on the verge of the top star, then the club shifts the focus in favor of Mbappe as the key figure.”
Recently he has perceived that the club is not defending him. There are stories, perhaps from within, or with the club not denying it, that they might accept an offer worth 250m euros to sign him and sell him.”
This affects him, so when Alonso subbed him – justifiably, since he wasn't defending as expected – to him he says why always me?.”
Building bridges will be tough to mend relations between the club and him at the moment.”
Their System “Falls Apart”
Following victories in each of the last season's matches, this outing represented Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.
Injuries have robbed the manager of important stars such as Raphinha, Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and the approach isn't working in their absence.
The expert commented, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp defensively, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive to reclaim the ball.”
“It's easier to attack them. If the defensive line is not perfect, as it wasn't the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde failed to step up, they receive little support by the midfield and forwards failing to press the ball-carrier adequately.”
Yamal, tormentor-in-chief of Real last season, was well contained.
“Their stars were below par. The youngster appears he's in good form, maybe due to injury issues