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This proved to be almost a flawless performance for Xabi Alonso's squad, as they beat Barcelona 2-1 during El Clasico and extend the gap at the top of La Liga to five points.

Bellingham scored his inaugural domestic strike along with key pass of the season following a tough few months recovering from surgery on his shoulder.

Kylian Mbappe continued his deadly performance in attack, and the manager's strategy in his first derby on the sidelines functioned brilliantly.

But then the Brazilian's situation reared its head another time.

Dissatisfied at his substitution, the star forward complained as he walked directly past Xabi Alonso and headed to the dressing room, before returning on the sidelines later.

Alonso System Yields Positive Outcomes from the Midfielder

For a debut Clasico, this wasn't a bad one, considering seven of Madrid's previous eight managers were defeated in their initial La Liga meeting with Barca.

Following the relaxed approach under Ancelotti fell short in the previous campaign, his structured approach yielded an important victory.

Spanish football analyst observed, “He got it spot on. Real Madrid were very good, while Barca didn't play well because of the home team's approach.”

“Without the ball, they applied pressure consistently, and if they were beaten, they retreated in an organised way, everybody including Vinicius.”

“They defended in two layers separated by a short distance. Barca struggled to penetrate.”

This approach seems beneficial for Jude, who previously was expected to do everything in the engine room and more.

On paper the 22-year-old started wide right, but in practice he could to come inside and either link with Mbappe or enter the box.

The expert stated, With Camavinga in central midfield, it brings more dynamism and more ways to shut down the channels.”

As a result the team to deploy Jude wide right. Undoubtedly he would have been asked to track Mbappe's movements on the ball and found openings, connecting with him on several occasions.”

He was told to get into the box and be around the edge of the box, where he poses a threat. He also drifted in to block central spaces and cause Barca's task challenging.”

Strained Relations Laid Bare

It's clear that Madridistas are fond of the Brazilian, his name was chanted on several occasions by a fervent home supporters.

Yet there have been various accounts lately that Real Madrid could entertain selling him if an attractive proposal were to come in.

He will have one year remaining on his deal at the end of the campaign, yet talks over a new deal are at a standstill.

The player's reaction when substituted late in the game suggested tension. When the match ended, teammates intervened as he tried to approach Yamal.

The expert noted, Many will criticize him for good reason, as it demonstrated disrespect toward his replacement who replaced him.”

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

This mindset is hard to change, notably when you feel near number one in the world, and the organization redirects attention to Mbappe as the key figure.”

“This season he's felt that the organization is not defending him. Rumors indicate, potentially club-sourced, or unchallenged by officials, that they might accept an offer worth 250m euros to sign him and sell him.”

“He feels all that, so when Alonso subbed him – reasonably, as he ceased tracking back as expected – in his mind he says ‘why me, why me again?.”

Building bridges will be tough to reconcile among the parties and Vinicius currently.”

Barca's Approach “Falls Apart”

Following victories in each of the recent derbies, this outing was emblematic of Barcelona's unconvincing start to the campaign.

Fitness issues have deprived Hansi Flick of important stars such as the Brazilian winger, Robert Lewandowski and Olmo, and the approach is failing without them.

Balague commented, “It's like the whole team lack sharpness without the ball, not as eager to regain possession, less aggressive to reclaim the ball.”

“It's easier to create chances against them. When the backline is not perfect, like on Mbappe's strike as Balde failed to step up, they receive little support by teammates not closing down the ball-carrier as expected.”

The young talent, the main threat earlier, was well contained.

“Their stars were below par. Lamine seems not in top condition, maybe due to groin problems