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It was almost a perfect performance for the Madrid side, as they defeated Barcelona two goals to one in the famous derby to increase their advantage at the top in La Liga with a five-point cushion.

Jude Bellingham got his first goal in the league along with setup this term following a challenging period healing from surgery on his shoulder.

Mbappe showed his clinical touch in attack, and the manager's strategy in his first El Clasico as coach functioned perfectly.

But then the Brazilian's situation reared its head once more.

Frustrated with coming off, the star forward protested on his way right by Xabi Alonso before marched down the tunnel, then returning to the substitute area several minutes.

Manager's Approach Delivers Success for Jude Bellingham

As first Clasicos go, this wasn't a bad one, given that seven of Madrid's last eight managers lost their initial La Liga encounter against their rivals.

After the player-focused method from the previous coach failed to get results in the previous campaign, Alonso's positional game-model yielded its first major result.

An expert commented, The strategy worked brilliantly. The home side performed excellently, and the visitors struggled due to what Real Madrid were doing.”

When not in possession, they applied pressure for as long as they could, and when bypassed, they fell back with discipline, all players even the forward.”

The team's shape with two banks separated by 5-10 meters. Barcelona could not find a way through.”

The new system looks to be beneficial for Bellingham, who in the past was expected to do everything in midfield and beyond.

In the lineup the 22-year-old played on the right, but actually he had the freedom to move centrally and either assist the attack or enter the box.

Balague continued, Employing Camavinga in central midfield, this provides increased movement and better ability to shut down the spaces.”

As a result the team to put Bellingham on the right-hand side. Undoubtedly he was instructed to monitor Mbappe's movements on the ball and found openings, and he found him a few times.”

“He was asked to get into the box and position himself near the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. He also came inside to block central spaces and cause the opponent's play very difficult.”

Conflict Issues Laid Bare

Undoubtedly that the fans adore Vinicius, his name was chanted repeatedly by a fervent Bernabeu crowd.

Yet multiple various accounts over the past period that Los Blancos might think about selling him if the right offer were to come in.

The winger will have one year remaining on his contract at the end of the campaign, but discussions on a renewal have not progressed.

The player's reaction when substituted with 20 minutes left indicated strained relations. When the match ended, he had to be restrained when he moved toward Yamal.

The expert noted, Many will criticize him and justifiably, as it demonstrated disrespect for Rodrygo who came on for him.”

Yet, growing up, he has existed in a challenging environment, and perceives that the world is hostile.”

This mindset is hard to change, especially when you consider yourself near number one in the world, but the team shifts the focus towards Mbappe as the key figure.”

During this campaign he has perceived that Real Madrid is not defending him. Rumors indicate, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they might accept an offer worth €250 million for him and sell him.”

He is aware of this, so when the coach substituted him – fairly, as he ceased tracking back as required – in Vinicius' head he questions why single me out?’.”

Building bridges will be tough to reconcile between the club and the player now.”

Their System “Struggles”

Following victories in each of the previous campaign's derbies, Sunday's performance highlighted Barca's shaky start to the campaign.

Injuries have deprived the Barcelona coach of crucial contributors including Raphinha, Lewandowski plus others, and the tactical setup is failing in their absence.

The expert commented, “It's like the whole team is a little bit less sharp without the ball, with less desire to win it back, less aggressive to get the possession back.”

“It's easier to create chances against them. When the backline is not organized, which was the case Mbappe's strike since the defender played him onside, they receive little support by the midfield and forwards not challenging the ball-carrier adequately.”

The young talent, who troubled Madrid of Real last season, was kept largely in check.

Key players did not perform well. The youngster doesn't feel like he is at his best, possibly because of a groin issue