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This proved to be practically a perfect outing for Xabi Alonso's squad, who beat their arch-rivals 2-1 in El Clasico to stretch their lead at the summit in La Liga to five points.

Bellingham notched his inaugural goal in the league and setup of the season after a tough spell coming back from shoulder surgery.

The French forward continued his lethal form in attack, while the coach's game plan in his first derby on the sidelines proved perfectly.

Yet the issue surrounding Vinicius came to the forefront once more.

Frustrated at being substituted, the Brazilian winger protested on his way straight past his manager before stormed down the tunnel, before returning to the substitute area several minutes.

Manager's Approach Gets Results for Jude Bellingham

As first Clasicos go, it was a solid start, especially since the majority of Madrid's recent coaches lost their first league match against their rivals.

Following the player-focused style from the previous coach did not deliver earlier, his structured approach yielded an important victory.

An expert observed, “He got it spot on. The home side performed excellently, and Barcelona didn't play well due to the home team's approach.”

Defensively, they applied pressure for as long as they could, and if they were beaten, they tracked back with discipline, everybody even Vinicius.”

“They defended in two lines spaced by 5-10 meters. Barcelona could not find a way through.”

This approach seems good news for Bellingham, as he in the past had been tasked to carry the midfield in the center and more.

In the lineup the 22-year-old played on the right, but actually he could to drift inward and either support Mbappe or enter the box.

Balague stated, “By using the French midfielder in the center, this provides more dynamism and additional options to close down the spaces.”

As a result the team to position Jude wide right. Certainly he was instructed to keep an eye on the runs of Mbappe on the ball and had space, and he found him repeatedly.”

He was told to move into the penalty area and operate on the outskirts of the area, his most effective zone. He also drifted in to cut off passing options and make Barcelona's life challenging.”

Vinicius Tensions Laid Bare

There's no doubting that the fans adore Vinicius, his chant were sung repeatedly by the passionate Madrid fans.

But there have been various accounts over the past period that Los Blancos could entertain selling him if an attractive proposal were to come in.

He has a year left on his deal at the end of the campaign, but talks over a new deal have stalled.

Vinicius' behavior after coming off with 20 minutes left suggested strained relations. When the match ended, teammates intervened when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.

The expert commented, Many will criticize him and rightly so, because it showed poor sportsmanship for Rodrygo taking his place.”

Yet, growing up, his life has been amid adversity, and he believes that the world is hostile.”

“That mentality is difficult to shake, notably when you believe close to being the best player, but the team redirects attention to Mbappe as the star.”

“This season he believes that Real Madrid has not supported him. There are stories, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they would be open a bid of 250m euros to sign him and let him go.”

This affects him, so when he was taken off – justifiably, since he wasn't defending as required – to him he questions why always me?.”

“It will be difficult to mend relations among the parties and him at the moment.”

Their System “Struggles”

Having triumphed in all four of last season's matches, Sunday's performance was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.

Fitness issues have deprived Hansi Flick of crucial contributors such as Raphinha, the striker and Olmo, and his system is failing when they are missing.

Balague stated, The squad seems are slightly off defensively, less hungry to recover it, softer in pressing.”

“It's easier to break them down. When the backline is not organized, as it wasn't the first goal as Balde kept him onside, they are not helped from the attack failing to press opponents in possession adequately.”

Yamal, tormentor-in-chief in previous meetings, was well contained.

The big names weren't at their best. Lamine doesn't feel like he's in good form, maybe due to a groin issue