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It was nearly an ideal performance for the Madrid side, as they overcame Barcelona 2-1 in the famous derby and increase the gap at the top in the Spanish league by five points.

Bellingham got his maiden league goal and assist this campaign after a difficult period coming back from surgery on his shoulder.

Mbappe showed his lethal form in front of goal, while the coach's game plan in his first Clasico on the sidelines worked perfectly.

However the Vinicius Junior question came to the forefront yet again.

Dissatisfied at coming off, the Brazilian winger protested as he walked right by his manager and headed to the dressing room, before reappearing to the bench later.

Alonso System Yields Success from Bellingham

For a debut Clasico, it was a solid start, especially since seven of Madrid's previous eight coaches lost their debut league encounter with their rivals.

Following the relaxed style under Ancelotti fell short last season, the new tactical system yielded its first major result.

An expert observed, “He got it spot on. Madrid were impressive, and the visitors didn't play well due to Madrid's tactics.”

“Without the ball, they applied pressure for as long as they could, if overcome, they tracked back with discipline, everybody including the forward.”

“They defended with two banks with a gap of a short distance. Barca were unable to break through.”

The new system appears to be good news for Bellingham, who in the past was expected to cover multiple roles in the engine room and more.

Theoretically the young star played on the right, but in practice he could to move centrally and link with Mbappe or enter the box.

Balague added, “By using Camavinga in central midfield, this provides increased movement and better ability to shut down the passing lanes.”

This led to them to put Bellingham on the right-hand side. Certainly his role included to track Mbappe's movements when he had the ball with room, and he found him a few times.”

His instructions included to move into the penalty area and operate on the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to close the inside channels and cause Barca's task tough.”

Strained Relations Revealed

There's no doubting that Madridistas adore Vinicius, his name was chanted repeatedly by a fervent Bernabeu crowd.

Yet there have been various accounts lately that Los Blancos would consider allowing his departure if the right offer was made.

The winger has one season to go on his contract at the end of the campaign, but negotiations for an extension are at a standstill.

His response when substituted in the second half indicated tension. When the match ended, he had to be restrained as he tried to approach Lamine Yamal.

The expert commented, “Everyone will have a go at him for good reason, because it showed a lack of respect for the substitute taking his place.”

“But since being a kid, he has lived amid adversity, and he believes that the world is hostile.”

Such thinking is hard to change, especially when you believe near the top star, and the organization drives the axis to Mbappe as the key figure.”

During this campaign he has perceived that the organization isn't protecting him. Reports suggest, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they would be open a bid of 250m euros for him and sell him.”

This affects him, so when the coach substituted him – justifiably, since he wasn't defending as expected – in Vinicius' head he questions why single me out?’.”

Building bridges will be tough to build a bridge with the club and Vinicius now.”

Barcelona Style “Struggles”

After winning each of the last season's Clasicos, this outing highlighted Barca's shaky early form.

Absences have robbed the Barcelona coach of key players including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and his system isn't working in their absence.

The analyst stated, The squad seems is a little bit less sharp when not in possession, with less desire to win it back, softer to reclaim the ball.”

Opponents find it simpler to attack them. If the defensive line is flawed, as it wasn't Mbappe's strike because Alejandro Balde played him onside, they receive little support by the midfield and forwards not challenging the ball-carrier as well as they should.”

Yamal, the main threat in previous meetings, was neutralized.

The big names did not perform well. Lamine seems not in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from groin problems