There are games that mark a turning point, moments when a player shows that his impact is beyond doubt. Against Olympiacos, Vinicius put in a first half performance that forces Xabi Alonso to rethink his plans. His most aggressive, decisive and closest version to the one that led him to come close to the Ballon d’Or burst through again. It was a performance that forces Xabi Alonso to rethink the Brazilian’s status in the team.
I think for a full-back it’s horrible to be against Vini for an hour and a half
Xabi seeks to build a dominant Madrid, capable of imposing a high and sustained pace. And if there is one player who alters the pulse of the game from the first action, it is Vinicius. He is the closest thing to the constant imbalance that the club has in its squad… because he is the only one capable of changing the dynamics of the game in a single move. Although the goals were scored by Mbappe, it was the Brazilian who carried the competitive weight of the team from the start. He drove, broke lines, forced the opponent to retreat and multiply help. His influence was total so that his teammates could fly over the pitch.
The Brazilian takes charge and imposes his authority: his status in the team is non-negotiable
The data backs it up: he was the player who made the most dribbles and created the most chances in the whole match. Every intervention added meters, danger and tension to the game. Then came the first play that sums up his level. An assist with the outside of his foot, impeccable in technique and perfect in intention, for Mbappe to equalize. When he appears like this, there is no system, hierarchy or plan that can ignore him. “It was a great game for him. He makes a difference during a game. I think for a full-back it’s horrible to be 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 opponent goes into survival mode. Both moved freely, attacked meters naturally and overflowed whenever they could. Special mention for Arda Guler, who interpreted the match with discretion and became the ideal support. He stretched plays, accelerated the pace and allowed the two stars to exploit their speed without restraint. “I’m very sorry about the disallowed goal because it’s a move that we talked about and it would have given him a good feeling to score. It’s a typical goal of his coming from outside to inside and to the far post. I highlight the connection he had with Kylian, the two assists and the impact he had,” explained Xabi.
7 activates Rock & Roll
Xabi Alonso spoke of rock & roll when he arrived. A vertical, intense Real Madrid with the ability to overwhelm through rhythm and possession. The first half against Olympiacos was exactly that. Then came the final disconnection that almost ended in tragedy. A team that sought, from control, to strike hard. But without managing, but accelerating so as not to let the opponent think… or rest. And within that structure, the sharpest, the most unpredictable and the most difficult to contain was Vinicius Junior. His performance is a clear and direct message to the coaching staff. A statement that, when he appears in this version, his status in the team is non-negotiable. And in that, there is no one like Vinicius. An indispensable piece that has just made a statement with the forcefulness demanded by the company
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