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This proved to be nearly a perfect performance from the Madrid side, as they overcame their arch-rivals by a 2-1 scoreline in El Clasico to stretch their lead at the top in La Liga with a five-point cushion.

Jude Bellingham notched his maiden league goal along with assist of the season following a challenging spell healing from a shoulder operation.

Mbappe continued his clinical touch when scoring, while the manager's strategy in his inaugural derby in the dugout functioned brilliantly.

Yet the Brazilian's situation came to the forefront yet again.

Dissatisfied at being substituted, Vinicius protested on his way straight past Xabi Alonso before headed to the dressing room, before reappearing to the bench several minutes.

Alonso System Gets Results for Bellingham

For a debut Clasico, Alonso did well, considering the majority of Real's last eight managers lost their initial league encounter against Barca.

After the player-focused style of Carlo Ancelotti failed to get results last season, the new tactical system delivered a significant outcome.

Spanish football analyst noted, The strategy worked brilliantly. Madrid were impressive, while Barcelona struggled because of the home team's approach.”

Defensively, they applied pressure consistently, and when bypassed, they tracked back in a structured manner, all players including the forward.”

The team's shape with two banks separated by five to 10 metres. The opposition struggled to penetrate.”

The tactical change looks to be beneficial for the midfielder, who previously was expected to cover multiple roles in the center and beyond.

In the lineup the young star was positioned on the right, but actually he had the freedom to move centrally and assist the attack or enter the box.

The analyst added, With Eduardo Camavinga in central midfield, it brings greater energy and additional options to close down the spaces.”

This led to them to put Bellingham on the right-hand side. I'm sure his role included to monitor Mbappe's movements in possession and had space, and he found him on several occasions.”

His instructions included to move into the penalty area and operate on the edge of the box, his most effective zone. He also drifted in to cut off passing options and cause Barcelona's life tough.”

Strained Relations Exposed

There's no doubting that Madridistas are fond of the Brazilian, his name was chanted multiple times by a fervent home supporters.

Yet there have been various accounts over the past period that the club might think about letting him leave if an attractive proposal arrived.

He will have one season to go on his contract at the end of the campaign, yet negotiations for an extension are at a standstill.

His response after coming off in the second half indicated issues. After the full-time whistle, he was held back as he tried to approach Yamal.

The expert commented, Many will criticize him for good reason, since it displayed poor sportsmanship for Rodrygo who replaced him.”

However, from a young age, his life has been amid adversity, and he feels that the world is hostile.”

This mindset is tough to overcome, particularly since you believe on the verge of the best player, then the club shifts the focus in favor of Mbappe as the star.”

“This season he's felt that Real Madrid has not supported him. Rumors indicate, possibly leaked by the club, or not denied by the club, that they wouldn't be unhappy if someone paid a quarter-billion euros to sign him and let him go.”

He is aware of this, and after he was taken off – justifiably, as he ceased tracking back as required – to him he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”

It may be challenging to mend relations between the club and him now.”

Barcelona Style “Falls Apart”

Having triumphed in all four of last season's Clasicos, Sunday's performance represented their uncertain beginning of the season.

Injuries have left without the Barcelona coach of key players including Raphinha, Lewandowski plus others, and his system is failing in their absence.

The analyst said, “It's like the whole team lack sharpness without the ball, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive to get the possession back.”

Opponents find it simpler to create chances against them. When the backline is not organized, which was the case the first goal as Balde kept him onside, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards failing to press those on the ball adequately.”

Lamine Yamal, who troubled Madrid earlier, was neutralized.

“Their stars were below par. Lamine appears he's in good form, maybe due to a groin issue