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This proved to be almost a perfect outing for Xabi Alonso's squad, who beat their arch-rivals two goals to one during the famous derby to extend the gap at the top of La Liga to five points.

Jude Bellingham notched his first league goal and setup this campaign after a challenging few months healing from surgery on his shoulder.

The French forward continued his lethal performance when scoring, and the coach's game plan in his inaugural Clasico as coach functioned perfectly.

But then the Vinicius Junior question reared its head once more.

Dissatisfied with being substituted, the star forward protested as he walked directly past his manager before headed down the tunnel, then coming back to the substitute area several minutes.

Alonso System Delivers Positive Outcomes from Bellingham

For a debut Clasico, this wasn't a bad one, given that the majority of Real's last eight bosses lost their initial league encounter against their rivals.

After the player-focused method under Ancelotti fell short in the previous campaign, his structured approach produced a significant outcome.

A specialist commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. Real Madrid performed excellently, and Barcelona didn't play well because of Madrid's tactics.”

“Without the ball, they applied pressure as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they retreated with discipline, everybody even Vinicius.”

“They defended in two layers separated by a short distance. The opposition could not find a way through.”

The tactical change looks to be beneficial for Jude, as he last season was essentially asked to carry the midfield in the engine room and more.

Theoretically the 22-year-old was positioned on the right, but in practice he was allowed to drift inward and assist the attack or enter the box.

The expert added, Employing the French midfielder in the middle, it brings increased movement and better ability to close down the spaces.”

This led to them to deploy Bellingham wide right. Undoubtedly his role included to monitor the runs of Mbappe on the ball and had space, and he located him repeatedly.”

His instructions included to get into the box and position himself near just outside the box, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to close the inside channels and make the opponent's play very difficult.”

Conflict Issues Laid Bare

There's no doubting that the fans love Vinicius, his name was chanted repeatedly by an enthusiastic Bernabeu crowd.

But multiple countless reports in recent months that Real Madrid might think about letting him leave if the right offer were to come in.

He will have one season to go under his current terms come the end of the season, yet negotiations for an extension have stalled.

Vinicius' behavior after coming off in the second half suggested strained relations. After the full-time whistle, he had to be restrained as he attempted to confront the Barcelona player.

Balague commented, He will face backlash for good reason, as it demonstrated poor sportsmanship for Rodrygo who came on for him.”

However, from a young age, he has lived amid adversity, and perceives that everyone is against him.”

This mindset is hard to change, particularly since you consider yourself on the verge of the best player, then the club redirects attention towards Mbappe as the main man.”

During this campaign he has perceived that the organization has not supported him. There are stories, perhaps from within, or with the club not denying it, that they might accept if someone paid a quarter-billion euros for him and allow him to leave.”

“He feels all that, so when Alonso subbed him – fairly, as he ceased tracking back as expected – in Vinicius' head he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”

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

Barca's Approach “Falls Apart”

Following victories in each of the last season's derbies, Sunday's performance was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing early form.

Fitness issues have robbed Hansi Flick of important stars such as Raphinha, Lewandowski and Olmo, and his system is failing when they are missing.

The expert commented, Barcelona appear are slightly off defensively, not as eager to regain possession, less aggressive to reclaim the ball.”

Opponents find it simpler to create chances against them. Should the defense is flawed, like on the Mbappe goal as Balde kept him onside, they are not helped from the attack not closing down opponents in possession adequately.”

Lamine Yamal, the main threat of Real last season, was well contained.

“Their stars weren't at their best. The youngster seems not he is at his best, perhaps he's suffering from a groin issue