One of the factors behind Real Madrid that ended the season without a big trophy was the most important attacker Vinicius Junior’s Drastic Dip in shape.
From competing for the Ballon d’Or when Los Blancos won the Champions League and La Liga in the 2023-24 campaign, the Brazilian played well in himself when Madrid put an end to Carlo Ancelotti’s reign second best to Catalan rival, Barcelona.
New coach Xabi Alonso was delighted to see the Brazilian winger clearly shining while Real Madrid set up the club world cup on the last 16 against Juventus on Tuesday.
When the 24-year-old is on his best, along with the approaching return of Kylian Mbappe after a belly bug, Madrid has the firepower that it needs to win the competition.
Vinicius hit and created a goal for Federico Valverde with a Backheel-Assist in the 3-0 win over Salzburg, who helped Madrid Top Spot in Group H in Group H and Manchester City, which has been the strongest side in the United States so far.
«I am very happy because Vini, like every attacker, needed that goal,» said Alonso.
Vinicius is in a contract with Real Madrid about a new deal, with the Brazilian who is currently in the books until 2027.
«I hope I can stay here for many years. I have always said it is the club of my life,» Vinicius said earlier this week.
«I am very happy with the coach and all the staff, and I hope I can stay here.»
Madrid needs the attacker to click with the arrival of last summer, Mbappe, without sacrificing the team’s defensive stability.
The whites Suppose Juventus in Orlando, hoping to reach the quarterfinals and can be stimulated by the return of Superstar Striker Mbappe, who could join Vinicius for the first time under Alonso.
Mbappe missed all three group matches and also had to go to the hospital after acute gastroenteritis, but has been training normally for a few days.
The Spanish coach believes that the duo can play together, although they had teething problems after the French attacker arrived and occupied similar spaces.
Mbappe eventually found top shape and ended the season with 43 goals in all competitions, while Vinicius yielded 22 times without getting close to his very best level.
«They can do it, Vini from outside, Kylian from the inside … It is not mutual exclusive, being able to work things, there is individual quality, but we need the team to function,» Alonso explained.
‘Offers’
Alonso has explained that no player in the startline-up of Real Madrid is free from defensive tasks.
Last season Ancelotti regularly stood in line with Vinicius, Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo goes on the side and Madrid paid the prize at the back.
«I am sure that we need and want everyone to defend – the 11 players on the field must be involved defensively,» said Alonso for the Salzburg match.
The coach was impressed by Vinicius’ working ethics against the Austrians.
«Apart from the goals, I was really happy with the work he did,» Alonso added.
«He helped to defend, he made sacrifices, he remained connected to the team, did not eliminate and that is very important to me.»
Alonso will hope that Vinicius will continue in that spirit while Mbappe is preparing to make his return, possibly from the bank against Juventus.
Although the Alonso era is just starting, the Juve collision and the potential quarter -final draw against Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey will be an early test for how the coach can deal with the use of both star names.
