Real Madrid Impressive yet Vinicius Junior Tensions Grow – Major Spanish Derby Highlights
This proved to be nearly a perfect outing from the Madrid side, as they defeated Barcelona 2-1 in El Clasico to stretch their advantage at the top in the domestic championship to five points.
The English midfielder scored his maiden league goal and setup this campaign after a challenging period healing from surgery on his shoulder.
Kylian Mbappe continued his lethal touch when scoring, while the coach's game plan in his inaugural Clasico on the sidelines proved perfectly.
But then the issue surrounding Vinicius reared its head yet again.
Frustrated at coming off, Vinicius ranted as he walked straight past Xabi Alonso before stormed off the pitch, before reappearing to the bench after a short while.
Alonso System Yields Success from Bellingham
In his first derby, it was a solid start, considering the majority of Real's previous eight bosses lost their first league match with Barcelona.
Following the relaxed method under Ancelotti fell short in the previous campaign, his structured approach yielded a significant outcome.
Spanish football analyst observed, “He got it spot on. Madrid were very good, and Barca didn't play well because of what Real Madrid were doing.”
Defensively, they pushed up as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they retreated in an organised way, everybody including Vinicius.”
The team's shape in two layers spaced by five to 10 metres. Barca were unable to break through.”
The tactical change seems beneficial for the midfielder, who in the past had been tasked to carry the midfield in midfield and more.
Theoretically the 22-year-old was positioned on the right, but in practice he had the freedom to drift inward and either assist the attack or enter the box.
Balague continued, With Eduardo Camavinga in the middle, you get more dynamism and more ways to shut down the spaces.”
This led to them to deploy Jude wide right. Certainly his role included to keep an eye on the runs of Mbappe in possession with room, and he found him on several occasions.”
His instructions included to enter the area and be around the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. He also came inside to cut off passing options and make the opponent's play tough.”
Strained Relations Exposed
It's clear that supporters love Vinicius, calls for him were sung multiple times by the passionate Bernabeu crowd.
But there have been numerous stories over the past period that Real Madrid could entertain allowing his departure if the right offer arrived.
Vinicius has one year remaining on his contract when this term concludes, yet negotiations for an extension have stalled.
Vinicius' behavior after coming off with 20 minutes left spoke of strained relations. After the full-time whistle, he had to be restrained as he attempted to confront Lamine Yamal.
Balague commented, Many will criticize him for good reason, because it showed poor sportsmanship toward his replacement who came on for him.”
Yet, growing up, he has existed amid adversity, and perceives that the world is hostile.”
Such thinking is tough to overcome, particularly since you believe on the verge of the top star, and the organization drives the axis towards Mbappe as the key figure.”
“This season he's felt that the club is not defending him. Rumors indicate, possibly leaked by the club, or unchallenged by officials, that they might accept if someone paid a quarter-billion euros for him and sell him.”
“He feels all that, and when the coach substituted him – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as expected – in Vinicius' head he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”
“It will be difficult to build a bridge with the club and Vinicius now.”
Barcelona Style “Crumbles”
After winning all four of last season's matches, this outing was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.
Absences have robbed the Barcelona coach of crucial contributors including the Brazilian winger, Robert Lewandowski plus others, and the approach isn't working in their absence.
The analyst commented, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp defensively, with less desire to win it back, with reduced intensity to reclaim the ball.”
Opponents find it simpler to break them down. When the backline is not organized, which was the case the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde played him onside, they receive little support by teammates not challenging the ball-carrier as well as they should.”
Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief of Real last season, was well contained.
Key players were below par. Lamine doesn't feel like he's in good form, perhaps he's suffering from injury issues