The Madrid Giants Commanding yet Vinicius Junior Tensions Intensify – Major Spanish Derby Highlights
This proved to be almost a perfect outing from Real Madrid, who overcame their arch-rivals 2-1 in El Clasico to stretch the gap at the summit of the Spanish league with a five-point cushion.
The English midfielder notched his maiden domestic strike and key pass this campaign after a tough spell healing from shoulder surgery.
The French forward maintained his clinical touch when scoring, and the coach's game plan in his first Clasico in the dugout proved like a charm.
Yet the Vinicius Junior question reared its head yet again.
Frustrated with coming off, the Brazilian winger ranted on his way right by his manager before marched off the pitch, before coming back on the sidelines after a short while.
Alonso System Delivers Positive Outcomes for the Midfielder
In his first derby, this wasn't a bad one, considering the majority of Madrid's previous eight coaches lost their debut La Liga match against their rivals.
Following the player-focused style from the previous coach did not deliver last season, Alonso's positional game-model yielded an important victory.
Spanish football analyst observed, “He got it spot on. Real Madrid were impressive, and the visitors struggled due to Madrid's tactics.”
“Without the ball, they pressed high as much as possible, if overcome, they fell back in a structured manner, all players including the forward.”
The team's shape in two lines spaced by a short distance. Barcelona could not find a way through.”
The new system appears to be positive for the midfielder, as he last season was essentially asked to do everything in midfield and additional duties.
On paper the 22-year-old started wide right, but actually he could to drift inward and either assist the attack or crash the penalty area.
The analyst added, With the French midfielder in central midfield, it brings increased movement and additional options to close down the passing lanes.”
“That forced the team to position Jude on the right-hand side. Undoubtedly he would have been asked to track the forward's positioning in possession and had space, and he located him repeatedly.”
“He was asked to enter the area and operate on just outside the box, where he is very dangerous. Additionally, he moved centrally to cut off passing options and cause Barca's task tough.”
Vinicius Tensions Revealed
It's clear that the fans love Vinicius, his chant rang out on several occasions by a fervent home supporters.
But multiple various accounts over the past period that Real Madrid would consider selling him if an attractive proposal arrived.
The winger has one season to go under his current terms when this term concludes, yet talks over a new deal have not progressed.
His response when substituted with 20 minutes left indicated tension. Post-game, he had to be restrained as he attempted to confront Yamal.
Balague commented, Many will criticize him and justifiably, as it demonstrated disrespect for the substitute who replaced him.”
However, from a young age, he has lived in a hostile world, and perceives that everyone is against him.”
Such thinking is difficult to shake, notably when you consider yourself near number one in the world, then the club shifts the focus in favor of Mbappe as the star.”
During this campaign he's felt that the club is not defending him. Reports suggest, perhaps from within, or not denied by the club, that they would be open a bid of a quarter-billion euros for him and let him go.”
“He feels all that, and after Alonso subbed him – reasonably, since he wasn't defending as expected – in Vinicius' head he says why single me out?’.”
Building bridges will be tough to reconcile among the parties and Vinicius at the moment.”
Barca's Approach “Struggles”
Following victories in all four of recent Clasicos, this outing was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing beginning of the season.
Fitness issues have left without Hansi Flick of crucial contributors including Raphinha, the striker and Olmo, and his system is failing without them.
The analyst stated, Barcelona appear lack sharpness defensively, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive in pressing.”
Opponents find it simpler to break them down. If the defensive line is not organized, which was the case Mbappe's strike as Balde failed to step up, they are not helped from the attack failing to press opponents in possession as well as they should.”
Lamine Yamal, the main threat of Real last season, was neutralized.
“Their stars weren't at their best. Yamal appears in top condition, maybe due to groin problems