🔗 Share this article

It was almost a flawless day from Xabi Alonso's squad, who defeated their arch-rivals two goals to one in the famous derby to stretch their advantage in first place in La Liga by five points.

Jude Bellingham notched his maiden domestic strike and assist this campaign after a difficult spell coming back from surgery on his shoulder.

Kylian Mbappe maintained his deadly performance when scoring, while Alonso's tactics during his debut derby as coach worked brilliantly.

Yet the Brazilian's situation emerged again yet again.

Frustrated with coming off, the Brazilian winger ranted while walking straight past Xabi Alonso before stormed off the pitch, then reappearing to the bench several minutes.

Tactical Setup Gets Results for the Midfielder

In his first derby, this wasn't a bad one, considering seven of Real's previous eight bosses lost their debut league match against their rivals.

After the laissez-faire style of Carlo Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, his structured approach produced an important victory.

An expert noted, The strategy worked brilliantly. The home side performed excellently, while Barca didn't play well due to what Real Madrid were doing.”

“Without the ball, they applied pressure for as long as they could, and if they were beaten, they tracked back in a structured manner, all players even the forward.”

Their defensive setup in two lines with a gap of a short distance. Barcelona struggled to penetrate.”

The tactical change appears to be beneficial for the midfielder, who last season was essentially asked to do everything in the center and additional duties.

In the lineup the 22-year-old was positioned on the right, but actually he could to drift inward and either link with Mbappe or get into scoring positions.

The expert added, Employing Eduardo Camavinga in central midfield, you get more dynamism and additional options to block the passing lanes.”

“That forced the team to deploy Jude wide right. Undoubtedly he would have been asked to keep an eye on Mbappe's movements on the ball and had space, and he located him a few times.”

He was told to get into the box and be around just outside the box, where he is very dangerous. Additionally, he moved centrally to cut off passing options creating the opponent's play challenging.”

Conflict Issues Exposed

Undoubtedly that supporters are fond of the Brazilian, calls for him were sung multiple times by a fervent home supporters.

Yet there have been various accounts in recent months that the club might think about letting him leave should a suitable bid was made.

The winger will have one year remaining on his deal come the end of the season, yet negotiations for an extension have not progressed.

The player's reaction to being replaced in the second half suggested strained relations. When the match ended, he was held back as he attempted to confront Yamal.

The expert noted, He will face backlash for good reason, as it demonstrated a lack of respect toward his replacement taking his place.”

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

“That mentality is difficult to shake, particularly since you feel close to being number one in the world, then the club drives the axis in favor of Mbappe as the main man.”

Recently he believes that the club isn't protecting him. There are stories, potentially club-sourced, or not denied by the club, that they might accept an offer worth €250 million to sign him and allow him to leave.”

“He feels all that, and after the coach substituted him – fairly, since he wasn't defending as expected – to him he questions ‘why me, why me again?.”

“It will be difficult to reconcile with the club and the player currently.”

Barca's Approach “Struggles”

After winning each of the recent derbies, this outing was emblematic of their uncertain early form.

Fitness issues have robbed Hansi Flick of crucial contributors including Raphinha, Lewandowski plus others, and the tactical setup isn't working in their absence.

The expert stated, “It's like the whole team are slightly off without the ball, not as eager to regain possession, with reduced intensity in pressing.”

They are more vulnerable to create chances against them. Should the defense is flawed, as it wasn't the first goal because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, the midfield doesn't assist from the attack not closing down those on the ball as expected.”

Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief earlier, was neutralized.

Key players weren't at their best. The youngster doesn't feel like he is at his best, possibly because of groin problems