If Vinicius were to decide who should be the coach of Real Madrid next season, the Brazilian would have no doubt: Alvaro Arbeloa. The player has found in the coach the same connection he had with Carlo Ancelotti, who at the time made him become a world star and the main offensive reference of Real Madrid. Something similar has happened with Arbeloa, with whom Vinicius has connected from the first moment. The harmony is total and this has been transferred to the pitch.
Vinicius has become Arbeloa’s great ally from the moment he arrived on the Real Madrid bench. The coach made him feel important, gave him back the leading role he had lost and the Brazilian has responded to the coach’s confidence. Vinicius has been Arbeloa’s great support in the objective of rescuing Real Madrid to take them to fight for LaLiga and the Champions League.
A committed leader
He has been a leader, with exemplary behavior on a day-to-day basis and absolute involvement. And Arbeloa is to blame for this. Vinicius has defended the coach from the very first minute and his commitment has been absolute. Except in Mestalla, where he was absent due to suspension, he has participated in all the matches of the ‘Arbeloa era’, starting in 21 of the 23 matches (he was only a substitute against Mallorca for rest) and playing 19 of them in full.
His performance has also skyrocketed, being the team’s top scorer since Arbeloa’s arrival, with 13 goals. Of the 19 goals Vinicius has scored this season, 13 have been with Arbeloa on the bench (68%). The Brazilian, thanks to the great connection he has had with the coach, has recovered his stellar form. With Mbappe out of action for many games, Vinicius took the team on his shoulders.
The club entrusted Arbeloa with a mission with Vinicius and the coach has fulfilled it perfectly. Of the many problems the coach had to solve when he arrived at the first team, one of them was to recover the best version of a Vinicius who was switched off and upset under Xabi Alonso. While Mbappe was flying in his performance and his records, the Brazilian’s star had been extinguished among early substitutions and substitutions that were driving him crazy. It was a personal problem that spread to the group, where Vinicius is very important because he is a very popular and special player for all his teammates.
The importance of Vinicius in the dressing room
That is why Arbeloa’s connection with Vinicius is so important. The coach and his staff arrived in the midst of the ‘Vinicius storm’ after the departure of Xabi Alonso and have calmed things down at all levels. Vinicius is once again the player the club wanted to recover at all costs and the atmosphere in the dressing room is also good, with the core of the squad pulling in the same direction and willing to get out of the difficult situation in which the team finds itself. The results have not been as desired, but the heavyweights, led by Vinicius, have been on Arbeloa’s side.
Arbeloa has the backing and trust of many important players. He has won over the dressing room and his figure carries a lot of weight among the players. He has made a big impression and a large part of the squad feels comfortable and at ease with him. Also with his coaching staff, a group of assistants who have fitted in like a glove with the players. Vinicius and Valverde are two completely new players under Arbeloa’s orders. A pair in the spotlight in the ‘Xabi era’ and who with Arbeloa have recovered their smile and their best level. They feel important and took up the flag of the new project. Courtois, Tchouameni and Rudiger are three other ‘bosses’ on Arbeloa’s side, as are Bellingham and Guler.
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