THere are the turning point games, the moments when players showed their influence is beyond question. Against Olympiakos, Vinicius produced a performance in the first half that forced Xabi Alonso to reconsider his plans. His most aggressive, decisive and closest version to the one that brought him so close to winning the Ballon d’Or has exploded once again. It was a performance that made Xabi Alonso reconsider the Brazilian’s place in the team.
I think it’s terrible for a full-back to play against Vini for an hour and a half.
Kylian Mbapp scores an incredible goal during Real Madrid’s training session
Xavi is trying to build a dominant Madrid side that can impress with a high and sustained pace. And if there’s one player who changed the tone of the match from the first action, it was Vinicius. He is the closest thing to the constant imbalance the club has in the team…because he is the only one who can change the course of a game with a single move. Although it was Mbappé who scored the goal, it was the Brazilian who was responsible for the team’s competitiveness from the start. He drives, breaks lines, forces opponents back, and gets more help. His influence was so great that his teammates jumped all over the pitch.
The Brazilian takes responsibility and imposes his authority: his position in the team is non-negotiable
The data backs that up. He was the player who took the most dribbles and created the most chances throughout the match. Each intervention added meter, danger, and tension to the game. And then came the first play that summed up his level. With impeccable technique and perfect intention, he assisted Mbappe with the outside of his foot to equalize. When he appears like this, there is no system, no hierarchy, no plan that can ignore him. “It was a great game for him. He makes the difference during the game. I think it’s terrible for a full-back to play against Vini for an hour and a half. He had a great game and we are very happy to have him in the team,” Mbappe confessed.
When Vinicius and Mbappe find space, the opposition goes into survival mode. Both moved freely and attacked the meter naturally, overflowing whenever possible. Special mention must be made of Arda Güler, who interpreted the game carefully and became the ideal support. He extended his play, accelerated the pace, and allowed his two star players to use their speed without hesitation. “I’m very disappointed about the goal that was canceled, because it was a move that we talked about and would have given him a good feeling to score the goal. It was his typical goal from outside to inside and to the far post. I would like to highlight the connection with Kylian, the two assists and the impact he had,” Xavi explained.
7 revitalizes rock and roll
Xabi Alonso talked about rock and roll upon arrival. Real Madrid are vertically strong and dominate with rhythm and possession. That was the case in the first half against Olympiakos. And then the final amputation occurred, almost ending in tragedy. A team that pursues strong hits through control. But instead of managing, I try not to make the other person think…I accelerate so that they don’t take a break. And within that structure, the sharpest, most unpredictable, and most difficult to contain was Vinicius Junior. His performance is a clear and direct message to the coaching staff. A statement that his position within the team is non-negotiable when he appears in this version. There is no one like Vinicius among them. An indispensable item that expresses the power that companies seek.
