Madrid is moving into a demanding week with Vinicius Junior at the centre of the conversation, but José Mourinho has again made clear that the Brazilian retains his support at Real Madrid.
Speaking in the Spanish capital on Saturday, Mourinho addressed the scrutiny surrounding Vinicius after an uneven start to the season, a four-match La Liga suspension and his difficult night in the Champions League comeback against Roma. The coach argued that the pressure placed on the forward in Spain, both on and off the pitch, would be hard for anyone to withstand.
A difficult week for Vinicius
- Vinicius was sent off in Real Madrid’s most recent league match, bringing a four-game domestic ban. He will therefore miss the Barcelona derby on the 25th.
- He remains eligible in Europe and started in the 4-3 Champions League victory over Roma during the week.
- Real were behind when Vinicius was withdrawn. Endrick replaced him, scored once and played a part in two further goals as Madrid turned the match around.
- Mourinho said Vinicius had endured a particularly tough match, pointing to Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s approach of repeatedly overloading the side occupied by Vinicius and Cucurella.
Mourinho said the visitors had created a three-against-two situation in that channel, making it difficult for Vinicius to find room or security in possession. He also expressed frustration at the way Madrid conceded their second goal, believing the game had been under control at that point.
Madrid had prepared for Roma’s man-marking, Mourinho said, and Vinicius needed either to keep the ball or win a foul in that moment. Yet the coach insisted that the substitution should not be treated as a larger judgement on the player.
“That was all there was to it,” Mourinho said. “I made five changes. That is football. The level of intensity is so high that nobody can play at 320 kilometres per hour for 90 minutes.”
Mourinho’s defence
The Portuguese coach said Vinicius had continued to show commitment to the club and city despite the hostility and criticism surrounding him. Mourinho suggested that, had he been in the player’s position last summer, he might have pushed to leave for a country or group of clubs where he would be treated with greater respect.
Instead, Vinicius signed a new contract because of his affection for Real Madrid and Madrid itself, Mourinho said, and because he believes circumstances can improve. The coach accepted that outside voices can affect the Brazilian because “he is human”, but said they should not be able to remove the joy visible in his character.
For Mourinho, the route back is work rather than promises. He said Vinicius must work harder than those competing for the places required to start every match, while adding that he expects him to return to the starting side in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Two competitions, different pressures
Real Madrid host RB Leipzig on Wednesday at 16:00 Brasília time, carrying six points from their opening two Champions League matches. Vinicius is available for that European fixture despite his domestic punishment.
Before then, Madrid face Sevilla in La Liga on Sunday, also at 16:00 Brasília time. The side sit fourth in the table, six points behind leaders Barcelona, with the suspended Vinicius forced to watch the league campaign from the sidelines for the next four matches.
