🔗 Share this article Real Madrid Commanding but Vinicius Issues Grow – Key Clasico Highlights It was practically an ideal outing from the Madrid side, as they beat Barca 2-1 in El Clasico and stretch the gap in first place in the domestic championship to five points. The English midfielder got his maiden goal in the league along with assist this campaign after a challenging few months healing from surgery on his shoulder. Mbappe continued his clinical form when scoring, while the coach's game plan in his first derby on the sidelines proved perfectly. Yet the Brazilian's situation reared its head once more. Frustrated at being substituted, Vinicius complained while walking right by Xabi Alonso and headed down the tunnel, then returning on the sidelines several minutes. Manager's Approach Delivers Results for the Midfielder For a debut Clasico, this wasn't a bad one, considering seven of Real's previous eight bosses were defeated in their initial league match with their rivals. Following the player-focused style of Carlo Ancelotti failed to get results in the previous campaign, his structured approach produced its first major result. Spanish football analyst noted, His plan was perfect. Real Madrid performed excellently, and Barcelona were off-color due to what Real Madrid were doing.” “Without the ball, they applied pressure consistently, and when bypassed, they fell back in an organised way, everybody even the forward.” “They defended in two lines with a gap of a short distance. The opposition struggled to penetrate.” This approach appears to be good news for the midfielder, as he last season was essentially asked to do everything in the engine room and beyond. On paper the young star started wide right, but in practice he had the freedom to move centrally and either link with Mbappe or crash the penalty area. Balague stated, With the French midfielder in the center, this provides more dynamism and additional options to block the passing lanes.” As a result them to deploy Bellingham on the right-hand side. I'm sure he was instructed to monitor Mbappe's movements on the ball and found openings, and he found him on several occasions.” “He was asked to move into the penalty area and operate on just outside the box, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to close the inside channels and cause Barca's task very difficult.” Vinicius Tensions Revealed There's no doubting that supporters love Vinicius, his chant was chanted on several occasions by a fervent Bernabeu crowd. However there have been countless reports in recent months that Real Madrid might think about letting him leave if the right offer were to come in. He will have one year remaining under his current terms when this term concludes, but talks over a new deal have not progressed. The player's reaction after coming off with 20 minutes left spoke of issues. After the full-time whistle, he had to be restrained when he moved toward Lamine Yamal. The expert noted, Many will criticize him and justifiably, because it showed a lack of respect for Rodrygo who replaced him.” However, from a young age, he has existed in a challenging environment, and he feels that everyone is against him.” Such thinking is hard to change, especially when you believe close to being number one in the world, and the organization shifts the focus in favor of Mbappe as the key figure.” “This season he's felt that the organization is not defending him. Reports suggest, potentially club-sourced, or with the club not denying it, that they would be open a bid of €250 million to sign him and allow him to leave.” “He feels all that, so when the coach substituted him – fairly, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as he should – in his mind he says ‘why me, why me again?.” Building bridges will be tough to mend relations between the club and Vinicius now.” Barcelona Style “Crumbles” Having triumphed in each of the recent Clasicos, the latest display represented Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign. Absences have deprived the manager of important stars including Raphinha, the striker and Olmo, and his system is not effective when they are missing. The analyst stated, Barcelona appear is a little bit less sharp when not in possession, with less desire to win it back, less aggressive in pressing.” “It's easier to break them down. If the defensive line is not organized, as it wasn't the first goal since the defender kept him onside, the midfield doesn't assist by the midfield and forwards failing to press the ball-carrier adequately.” Lamine Yamal, the main threat earlier, was neutralized. “Their stars were below par. Yamal appears in top condition, possibly because of a groin issue