It will have escaped no one’s notice that among Real Madrid’s problems, the positions of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé are too often close together. During matches, the Frenchman often moves to the left side, where the Brazilian winger usually plays. As a result, the two players regularly step on each other and on top of that desert the penalty area. The observation was already there last year with Xabi Alonso then Alvaro Arbeloa. José Mourinho has not yet managed to find the right formula, despite the former Parisian’s good statistics.
Performing well in front of goal, he is nevertheless regularly the target of criticism for his behavior off the field. Despite his support shown at a press conference yesterday, the Real Madrid technician did not really appreciate the various posts published by the star on social networks, he who has just recovered from his knee injury contracted in the France team. It also encroaches on Vinicius’ area. The latter is only a shadow of himself since the start of the season, even unrecognizable without making a bad pun in relation to his new physical appearance.
“It’s a problem of football and ego, but above all of football»
The Athletic went to meet several sources who talk about the internal problems linked to the two players. “It’s not that they don’t get along or that they hate each other, but they compare each other on everything, and if one doesn’t defend, neither does the other.», Explains a first observer, who requested anonymity to speak. “It’s a problem of football and ego, but above all of football», says another, a regular at the Real Madrid training center. Obviously, this affects the club’s performances and results, which have been in sharp decline for two years now.
“Either there is a structural change or they will not be able to progresscontinues a technician, formerly of a technical staff of the club. There’s a lot of creative talent, but it’s impossible to perform sustainably when defending with eight, and it’s very difficult to organize your attack when your best players are constantly speeding up the game and looking for the same spaces.» «The team must defend better and be more efficient in attackeven declares a source close to Mourinho. That’s what Mou focused on during the break: finding internal and tactical solutions to fill the team’s gaps.»
“The problem will not be solved until Vinicius or Kylian Mbappé leaves»
For the moment, the effects are too limited to allow Casa Blanca to rise to the level of FC Barcelona in La Liga or its European competitors in the Champions League. The international break, without the two players, perhaps allowed the Portuguese coach to think about new solutions. The face of the team this evening during the Villarreal reception (9 p.m.) will provide a first indicator. The former member of the technical team doesn’t believe it and only sees one solution. “The problem will not be resolved until Vinicius or Kylian Mbappé leaves.» This has the merit of being clear.
