The Madrid Giants Commanding but Vinicius Junior Tensions Grow – Key Clasico Highlights
It was practically a flawless day for the Madrid side, who defeated Barcelona two goals to one in the Clasico and increase the gap in first place in La Liga to five points.
The English midfielder got his maiden goal in the league and assist of the season after a challenging spell coming back from a shoulder operation.
The French forward maintained his deadly form when scoring, and the manager's strategy in his first El Clasico on the sidelines functioned brilliantly.
However the issue surrounding Vinicius came to the forefront another time.
Frustrated at being substituted, the star forward ranted while walking directly past his manager and stormed down the tunnel, before coming back on the sidelines later.
Manager's Approach Gets Positive Outcomes for the Midfielder
For a debut Clasico, this wasn't a bad one, especially since the majority of Madrid's recent coaches lost their debut La Liga encounter with Barcelona.
After the player-focused method under Ancelotti did not deliver last season, his structured approach yielded its first major result.
Spanish football analyst noted, The strategy worked brilliantly. Real Madrid were impressive, and the visitors struggled because of Madrid's tactics.”
Defensively, they applied pressure as much as possible, and if they were beaten, they fell back in a structured manner, everybody including the forward.”
“They defended in two lines spaced by a short distance. Barca could not find a way through.”
The new system seems positive for the midfielder, who last season was expected to do everything in the center and more.
Theoretically the young star was positioned on the right, but actually he had the freedom to drift inward and either support Mbappe or crash the penalty area.
The analyst added, With the French midfielder in the middle, you get more dynamism and better ability to shut down the passing lanes.”
As a result them to position Bellingham on the right flank. Undoubtedly he would have been asked to monitor the forward's positioning when he had the ball and had space, and he located him on several occasions.”
His instructions included to enter the area and operate on the outskirts of the area, where he poses a threat. He also came inside to block central spaces creating Barcelona's life very difficult.”
Strained Relations Exposed
Undoubtedly that Madridistas are fond of the Brazilian, his chant was chanted on several occasions by an enthusiastic Madrid fans.
Yet there have been various accounts lately that Real Madrid might think about allowing his departure should a suitable bid was made.
Vinicius will have one year remaining on his contract come the end of the season, but discussions on a renewal have not progressed.
The player's reaction after coming off late in the game spoke of tension. Post-game, he had to be restrained as he attempted to confront Lamine Yamal.
The expert noted, “Everyone will have a go at him for good reason, because it showed a lack of respect for the substitute who came on for him.”
However, from a young age, his life has been in a hostile world, and he believes that the world is hostile.”
Such thinking is difficult to shake, notably when you feel on the verge of the best player, then the club drives the axis to Mbappe as the key figure.”
Recently he's felt that Real Madrid isn't protecting him. Reports suggest, potentially club-sourced, or unchallenged by officials, that they might accept if someone paid 250m euros to sign him and allow him to leave.”
This affects him, and when the coach substituted him – fairly, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as expected – in his mind he thinks ‘why me, why me again?.”
Building bridges will be tough to build a bridge among the parties and him currently.”
Barcelona Style “Struggles”
Following victories in each of the last season's derbies, the latest display was emblematic of Barca's shaky beginning of the season.
Injuries have robbed Hansi Flick of key players including the Brazilian winger, the striker and Olmo, and the approach is not effective in their absence.
The analyst stated, “It's like the whole team lack sharpness defensively, less hungry to recover it, with reduced intensity to reclaim the ball.”
Opponents find it simpler to break them down. When the backline is not organized, which was the case Mbappe's strike because Alejandro Balde kept him onside, the midfield doesn't assist from the attack not challenging those on the ball adequately.”
Yamal, the main threat earlier, was neutralized.
Key players weren't at their best. Lamine seems not in top condition, possibly because of injury issues