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The match represented practically an ideal outing for the Madrid side, as they overcame their arch-rivals two goals to one in El Clasico to increase their advantage in first place in La Liga with a five-point cushion.

The English midfielder notched his first goal in the league along with assist this term after a tough period coming back from shoulder surgery.

Kylian Mbappe maintained his clinical form in front of goal, while the manager's strategy in his inaugural Clasico on the sidelines functioned perfectly.

However the issue surrounding Vinicius reared its head yet again.

Frustrated at coming off, the star forward ranted while walking straight past the coach and stormed to the dressing room, before reappearing to the bench later.

Manager's Approach Yields Success from Jude Bellingham

For a debut Clasico, this wasn't a bad one, given that the majority of Madrid's last eight managers were defeated in their debut league match against Barcelona.

Following the player-focused approach under Ancelotti fell short last season, his structured approach produced its first major result.

An expert noted, The strategy worked brilliantly. Real Madrid were very good, and Barca didn't play well because of the home team's approach.”

Defensively, they applied pressure consistently, and if they were beaten, they tracked back in a structured manner, everybody even Vinicius.”

The team's shape in two layers with a gap of 5-10 meters. Barca were unable to break through.”

The new system looks to be beneficial for the midfielder, as he in the past was essentially asked to carry the midfield in midfield and beyond.

Theoretically the young star was positioned on the right, but in practice he could to come inside and link with Mbappe or crash the penalty area.

The analyst continued, With Camavinga in central midfield, you get greater energy and better ability to close down the spaces.”

This led to them to deploy Bellingham on the right-hand side. I'm sure he would have been asked to keep an eye on the runs of Mbappe in possession and found openings, and he located him on several occasions.”

His instructions included to get into the box and position himself near just outside the box, his most effective zone. He also came inside to block central spaces and make Barca's task very difficult.”

Conflict Issues Revealed

There's no doubting that Madridistas love Vinicius, his chant was chanted repeatedly by the passionate home supporters.

But recently there were numerous stories lately that Real Madrid could entertain selling him if the right offer were to come in.

He has one season to go on his deal at the end of the campaign, yet negotiations for an extension have not progressed.

His response after coming off late in the game spoke of strained relations. After the full-time whistle, teammates intervened when he moved toward Lamine Yamal.

Balague noted, “Everyone will have a go at him for good reason, because it showed poor sportsmanship for Rodrygo who came on for him.”

Yet, growing up, he has existed in a challenging environment, and he feels that he faces opposition.”

“That mentality is hard to change, especially when you feel on the verge of the top star, then the club redirects attention towards Mbappe as the star.”

“This season he has perceived that Real Madrid is not defending him. There are stories, possibly leaked by the club, or with the club not denying it, that they would be open if someone paid 250m euros for his transfer and allow him to leave.”

“He feels all that, so when the coach substituted him – fairly, since he wasn't defending as required – to him he thinks why single me out?’.”

“It will be difficult to mend relations between the club and him now.”

Barca's Approach “Struggles”

After winning each of the recent derbies, the latest display highlighted their uncertain early form.

Fitness issues have deprived the manager of crucial contributors including Raphinha, Lewandowski and Olmo, and his system isn't working without them.

The expert said, “It's like the whole team lack sharpness defensively, less hungry to recover it, softer in pressing.”

They are more vulnerable to create chances against them. Should the defense is not organized, as it wasn't Mbappe's strike because Alejandro Balde failed to step up, they receive little support by teammates not challenging those on the ball as expected.”

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 a groin issue