At the Metropolitano, where Madrid’s derby carries its own measure of form and temperament, Vinicius Junior endured another difficult afternoon as Real Madrid’s concerns over their left flank deepen.
The Brazilian was withdrawn shortly after the 56-minute mark when Dean Huijsen’s dismissal forced Mourinho to reshape his side. Vinicius had managed just one successful dribble from one attempt and placed two shots on target before leaving the field, a limited return in a match that offered little sign of a revival.
It was another subdued performance at the beginning of a season that has not yet found rhythm for the forward. Across eight official appearances — seven in La Liga and one in the Champions League — Vinicius has recorded one goal and three assists.
Pressure grows at the Bernabeu
His home appearances have been accompanied by whistles from sections of the Bernabeu crowd, with supporters increasingly calling for him to spend time out of the starting side. Mourinho continues to back the player and has sought to restore his confidence, but Vinicius has also become a frequent candidate for substitution.
There is unease inside the club as well. Real Madrid had expected a renewed Vinicius to return as one of the decisive figures of recent campaigns, particularly after his contract extension. Instead, his displays have continued to decline rather than improve.
Diomande makes his case
Diomande’s contribution in the derby sharpened the debate. Given almost 43 minutes of actual playing time, he attempted six dribbles and completed four, while also creating a scoring opportunity.
His impact exceeded Vinicius’s in a shorter spell, and it has not escaped the notice of Madrid supporters. With Diomande improving from match to match and taking advantage of the minutes Mourinho has offered, calls are growing for him to take over on the left side of Real Madrid’s attack.
