Winner of Elche on the wire (3-2), Real Madrid thanks its summer recruit Carlos Espi (21 years old). Recruited by Casa Blanca to everyone’s surprise for €25 million, the former Levante striker has saved his team twice since the start of the La Liga season by scoring two goals in added time. And if Espi is showered with praise this Wednesday morning by the Spanish press, it is because Vinicius Junior (26 years old) once again delivered a tasteless match, before being replaced twenty minutes from the end.
On the eve of the trip to Elche, José Mourinho had already been questioned about the Brazilian’s case. “Making assists is important, working for the team is very important, daily work is important and he does it very well… But there is another Vinicius. A Vinicius who, against Benfica last year, has an opportunity, scores a goal and sends us home. He lacks this very high level performance.. Last night, the Special One’s analysis was confirmed. Author of numerous misses, the Auriverde international (54 caps, 13 goals) went on to a fourth championship match without scoring, while Kylian Mbappé scored his seventh goal in six La Liga matches.
Vinicius Jr expected against Atlético
At the end of the match, Mourinho did not directly mention the name of Vinicius Jr, but the Portuguese made it clear that the Merengues’ offensive ineffectiveness almost cost them dearly against the current 19th in the ranking. “These are games where we have opportunities to kill the game, but we don’t. By not doing this, we move from an easy situation to a loss of control. We didn’t score. When everything seems easy, we leave things unresolved. The explanation I see is that if the match seems easy and we don’t kill it, we then lower the pace, we lose control, we misinterpret this ease. » A scarcity which is a stain and which is worrying at a time when Real Madrid faces Atlético de Madrid next weekend.
The Merengue club will not have the right to make mistakes if they do not want to be left behind in the standings by Barça. Will Vinicius Jr be there? The Madrid press has doubts. “Vinicius is the centerpiece that trembles before the Metropolitano. Mbappé, seven goals. Bellingham, undisputed leader. Güler, the ray of hope. Diomande, on the rise after the match at Martínez Valero. And Vinicius? That’s the question. (…) One goal in 598 minutes of play, even if it was accompanied by three assists, does not seem like much for a star of this stature. And even less so when the rest of the heavy artillery shifts into high gear. Whether in terms of productivity or printing. Because Vini is not up to the task in any of these areas”writing A.S. in today’s edition. For his part, the player broke the silence on his social networks. “The goals will come back, I can’t miss so many chances…” Will the Brazilian keep his promise?
