The Alonso Era: Vinícius Júnior in a Dilemma at Real Madrid
Real Madrid, under coach Xabi Alonso, is experiencing a challenging period after a strong start where the team achieved four consecutive victories in La Liga.
However, the match against Real Sociedad at the Anoeta stadium revealed new dynamics within the team, most notably Kylian Mbappé's emergence ahead of Vinícius Júnior in the coach's tactical choices.
During the game, Alonso had to manage the red card given to Dean Huijsen, finishing the match with eight defensive-minded players to preserve the 2-1 victory.
Vinícius's Crisis with Xabi Alonso
Here, Mbappé's decisive role became apparent, exploiting Sociedad's advanced defense, while Vinícius was the biggest victim, being substituted in the 68th minute for full-back Fran García, a decision that angered the Brazilian star.
According to the Spanish newspaper 'Sport', Vinícius's performance was unconvincing; he lost possession 13 times, failed 28% of his passes, and did not register a shot on goal or create dangerous chances, managing only three successful dribbles out of seven attempts.
He also lacked defensive concentration, prompting the coach to substitute him in what was an expected move but was not well-received by the player as he left the field.
The Spanish newspaper continued, stating that unlike Carlo Ancelotti, who used to give his stars ample playing time even in their worst form, Alonso adheres to the principle of 'whoever deserves to play will play,' which mandates greater rotation among players.
Vinícius has found himself a victim of this policy, especially since the competition with Rodrygo still leans in his favor. However, the matches have proven that the coach does not hesitate to drop him or bring him off the bench, as happened in the match against Oviedo, where he scored and assisted despite starting from outside the lineup.
Vinícius has not yet found the required balance under Alonso's leadership, particularly as his coach demands he cover more than 10 kilometers in each match, distributing his effort defensively and offensively. With his contract renewal stalled, the confusion surrounding his future with the team is increasing.
Now, Real Madrid enters the Champions League, the Brazilian's favorite competition, which many see as a perfect opportunity for him to regain his status and prove he is still one of the key pillars in the 'Los Blancos' project.
