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This proved to be nearly an ideal performance from the Madrid side, as they beat Barcelona two goals to one in the famous derby and increase their advantage at the top of the Spanish league with a five-point cushion.

The English midfielder got his maiden league goal along with setup of the season following a tough spell coming back from a shoulder operation.

Kylian Mbappe showed his deadly form in front of goal, and the coach's game plan during his debut Clasico as coach proved perfectly.

Yet the Vinicius Junior question reared its head yet again.

Unhappy with being substituted, Vinicius protested on his way right by the coach before stormed to the dressing room, before returning on the sidelines later.

Manager's Approach Gets Success for the Midfielder

For a debut Clasico, this wasn't a bad one, given that the majority of Madrid's previous eight managers lost their debut La Liga meeting with Barcelona.

After the player-focused method under Ancelotti did not deliver last season, the new tactical system yielded its first major result.

An expert noted, The strategy worked brilliantly. The home side performed excellently, while Barca didn't play well due to the home team's approach.”

Defensively, they pushed up for as long as they could, and if they were beaten, they tracked back in a structured manner, all players even the forward.”

The team's shape in two layers separated by a short distance. Barcelona were unable to break through.”

This approach seems beneficial for Jude, as he previously was essentially asked to carry the midfield in the engine room and more.

Theoretically the young star started wide right, however he had the freedom to drift inward and assist the attack or enter the box.

The analyst continued, With Eduardo Camavinga in central midfield, it brings more dynamism and additional options to block the channels.”

This led to the team to deploy Jude on the right-hand side. Undoubtedly he was instructed to track Mbappe's movements on the ball and had space, and he found him on several occasions.”

He was told to enter the area and position himself near the edge of the box, where he is very dangerous. He also drifted in to cut off passing options and make the opponent's play very difficult.”

Strained Relations Revealed

There's no doubting that supporters are fond of the Brazilian, his name was chanted repeatedly by the passionate Madrid fans.

But recently there were various accounts in recent months that Real Madrid might think about allowing his departure if the right offer arrived.

The winger will have one year remaining under his current terms come the end of the season, yet negotiations for an extension have stalled.

The player's reaction after coming off late in the game suggested tension. When the match ended, teammates intervened as he attempted to confront the Barcelona player.

Balague said, “Everyone will have a go at him and rightly so, because it showed a lack of respect for the substitute taking his place.”

Yet, growing up, he has existed amid adversity, and he believes that he faces opposition.”

This mindset is tough to overcome, notably when you believe near the best player, and the organization drives the axis towards Mbappe as the key figure.”

Recently he's felt that the organization is not defending him. There are stories, perhaps from within, or with the club not denying it, that they might accept if someone paid 250m euros for him and let him go.”

“He feels all that, so when he was taken off – reasonably, because Vinicius stopped dropping back as he should – in Vinicius' head he questions ‘why me, why me again?.”

“It will be difficult to build a bridge between the club and the player now.”

Barca's Approach “Falls Apart”

Having triumphed in all four of previous campaign's derbies, the latest display was emblematic of their uncertain early form.

Injuries have left without the manager of crucial contributors such as Raphinha, Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and the approach isn't working in their absence.

Balague stated, Barcelona appear are slightly off when not in possession, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive to get the possession back.”

“It's easier to create chances against them. When the backline is flawed, as it wasn't Mbappe's strike as Balde failed to step up, they are not helped from the attack failing to press those on the ball as expected.”

The young talent, tormentor-in-chief in previous meetings, was neutralized.

“Their stars were below par. Yamal doesn't feel like in top condition, maybe due to groin problems