A failed return. Starting again in the Champions League against AEK Athens on Wednesday (3-2 victory), Vinicius Junior had the opportunity to restore his image, he who is still suspended in La Liga. Aligned on the left side of the attack, he did not carry much weight compared to his offensive teammates like Bellingham, Diomandé or even Mbappé. He appeared very borrowed, incapable of making any difference with the ball. Worse still, his opponents seem to no longer fear him, whose speed and percussion were still devastating a few months ago.
The Spanish press did not miss him after the C1 meeting, and everyone noted that he is now behind Arda Güler and Yan Diomandé in the hierarchy of side players, while he is one of the stars of the team. The 26-year-old Brazilian was at the heart of concerns at a press conference this Friday, on the eve of Real Madrid’s trip to Valencia (Saturday, 9 p.m.), which he will not make since he is serving the last of his 4 match suspension, following his expulsion against Villarreal on October 10. His return to competition is complicated in the eyes of José Mourinho.
“I never wanted to harm the team to favor a player»
“For me, the most important thing is the teambegins the technician. I never wanted to harm the team to favor a player. Vinicius played the last two Champions League matches (against RB Leipzig and AEK Athens), of course. But as soon as he is fully fit and available again, I will handle the situation accordingly. As a coach, I don’t think game by game. I’m also thinking about the next one and the sequence of matches. This last match was for Vini, to allow players like Arda to rest, because he had some problems…» We understand in this last statement that the tenure of Vinicius allowed Güler to breathe.
Not so long ago, it was the Turk who would have played this role… “I have to do everything to ensure my players are at the top of their game. You must always believe in the player’s true potential. A bad player will always remain bad, no matter how hard they try… And a good player, even in his bad times, leaves the door open for a strong comeback. If it had been any other player than Vinicius, the Athens match would have been considered a match like any other», Continues Mourinho, convinced of being able to find Vinicius in full possession of his means in the weeks to come.
Mourinho supports him but…
The Madrid coach warns the Brazilian that he will not give him any gifts. He can’t afford it. On the other hand, he will always support him, no matter how. “Last year’s Vinicius eliminated me from the Champions League (during Real Madrid-Benfica in the play-offs). All that remains is to continue working. There is the support of his teammates – from everyone, without exception – and we are going for it fully, with total conviction. But in the moment of truth, where everything is decided, the team must take precedence over any player.» Vinicius knows it. Only work in training and undoubtedly mental support can change the situation. Otherwise, he will be sentenced to the sidelines.
