It was nearly a perfect outing from Real Madrid, who defeated Barca by a 2-1 scoreline during the Clasico to increase their lead at the top in La Liga by five points.
Bellingham got his first goal in the league along with setup this term following a tough period recovering from a shoulder operation.
Kylian Mbappe maintained his deadly performance when scoring, while Alonso's tactics during his debut El Clasico as coach functioned perfectly.
Yet the Brazilian's situation emerged again another time.
Dissatisfied at being substituted, the star forward complained as he walked straight past Xabi Alonso and stormed down the tunnel, then returning on the sidelines after a short while.
As first Clasicos go, this wasn't a bad one, given that seven of Madrid's last eight bosses lost their initial La Liga meeting with their rivals.
After the laissez-faire method of Carlo Ancelotti fell short last season, the new tactical system yielded an important victory.
An expert commented, “He got it spot on. The home side were impressive, while Barcelona struggled because of the home team's approach.”
Defensively, they pressed high as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they retreated in a structured manner, everybody including Vinicius.”
The team's shape with two banks with a gap of five to 10 metres. Barca were unable to break through.”
The new system seems positive for Bellingham, as he previously was expected to do everything in midfield and additional duties.
Theoretically the 22-year-old played on the right, but actually he had the freedom to come inside and either assist the attack or crash the penalty area.
Balague continued, With the French midfielder in the center, you get more dynamism and additional options to block the channels.”
As a result the team to position Jude on the right-hand side. I'm sure he would have been asked to keep an eye on Mbappe's movements when he had the ball and found openings, connecting with him on several occasions.”
His instructions included to move into the penalty area and operate on the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. Additionally, he moved centrally to close the inside channels and make Barca's task challenging.”
There's no doubting that Madridistas are fond of the Brazilian, his name rang out repeatedly by the passionate home supporters.
Yet multiple countless reports over the past period that Real Madrid could entertain selling him should a suitable bid arrived.
He has one season to go on his deal come the end of the season, but discussions on a renewal are at a standstill.
The player's reaction when substituted with 20 minutes left indicated strained relations. When the match ended, he was held back as he tried to approach Yamal.
Balague commented, He will face backlash and rightly so, because it showed poor sportsmanship for Rodrygo who replaced him.”
“But since being a kid, he has lived in a challenging environment, and he believes that the world is hostile.”
This mindset is hard to change, especially when you believe close to being the best player, and the organization redirects attention towards Mbappe as the main man.”
“This season he has perceived that the club has not supported him. There are stories, possibly leaked by the club, or with the club not denying it, that they wouldn't be unhappy an offer worth 250m euros to sign him and allow him to leave.”
He is aware of this, and when Alonso subbed him – justifiably, as he ceased tracking back as he should – in Vinicius' head he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”
It may be challenging to build a bridge between the club and him at the moment.”
Following victories in each of the last season's matches, this outing was emblematic of their uncertain beginning of the season.
Absences have deprived the manager of key players including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and the approach is not effective when they are missing.
Balague commented, The squad seems lack sharpness defensively, not as eager to regain possession, with reduced intensity in pressing.”
They are more vulnerable to create chances against them. If the defensive line is flawed, like on the first goal because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, they receive little support by the midfield and forwards failing to press opponents in possession as well as they should.”
Yamal, tormentor-in-chief of Real last season, was well contained.
The big names did not perform well. The youngster appears in top condition, perhaps he's suffering from injury issues
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