In Madrid, where Vinicius Junior’s difficult spell has sharpened the scrutiny around him, José Mourinho has offered a striking defence of the Brazilian and questioned the treatment he has received from sections of the Real Madrid support.
Speaking after the match against Roma and again ahead of the Sevilla fixture, the Portuguese coach said Vinicius had been placed in an unfairly difficult position on the pitch and argued that the forward deserves greater respect at the Bernabeu.
Mourinho’s assessment of Vinicius
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Mourinho said Vinicius had endured a hard match, but insisted the Brazilian was not chiefly responsible for his display. He pointed to Gian Piero Gasperini’s approach, saying the opposition repeatedly overloaded one flank with three players against Vinicius and Cucurella.
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He added that such tactical problems are not always simple to correct from the bench because coaches do not receive every piece of information clearly during a game.
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The coach was particularly frustrated by the circumstances of the second goal, arriving when he felt the match had become calmer and more balanced. Mourinho said Vinicius needed either to protect possession or win a foul in that situation.
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Even so, he played down the incident, noting that he had made five substitutions and that football at the highest level demands immense intensity for the full 90 minutes.
A likely Champions League start
Mourinho maintained that Vinicius’s response should be to outwork the players competing for places. Without giving a firm guarantee, he said he expected the Brazilian to start Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with Leipzig.
He also referred to the player’s four-match suspension, saying he was satisfied it had not been longer. Mourinho suggested he had feared that further punishment of one or two additional matches might be imposed, before making clear he did not want to expand further on the matter.
Call for respect in Madrid
The Portuguese described Vinicius as an exceptional young man with whom it is easy to build a good relationship. He praised the forward’s ability to retain his smile despite the pressure surrounding him, calling that resilience a major quality.
His strongest comments concerned the criticism aimed at Vinicius within Real Madrid. Mourinho said that, in the player’s position, he might have sought a move during the previous summer to a club and stadium where he would feel respected.
Instead, he said, Vinicius renewed out of affection for the club and the city, as well as a belief that matters can improve. Mourinho accepted that the negativity could affect him because he is human, but said it would not take away the Brazilian’s spirit.
Vinicius will not be available for Real Madrid’s next La Liga matches after receiving a four-game ban following the events against Villarreal.
