Real Madrid News
Report – The reason why Mourinho decided to bench Real Madrid superstar vs Villarreal
Vinicius Jr.’s performances were a major talking point during the international break, even leading to an internet meme surrounding him potentially being cloned.
After the break, Vinicius Jr. grabbed headlines once again after receiving a red card against Villarreal while seeing his goal get disallowed.
The forward now faces a difficult situation, as he has been handed a lengthy four-match suspension in domestic competitions after allegedly trying to grab Nathan Saliba’s hair, for which he was sent off.
Vinicius Jr. struggling with physical problems
A recent report from ESPN (h/t Madrid Zone) has shed more light on Vinicius’ recent ordeal, revealing that the forward has actually been struggling with physical problems.
According to the report, those underlying issues are the root cause of his dip in form, a slump that has drawn criticism from all quarters for both club and country.
It was precisely to manage that situation that Jose Mourinho opted to leave the Brazilian on the bench for the visit of Villarreal.
Mourinho recently backed Vinicius to rediscover his best form, insisting it was only a matter of time and that he had chosen to protect the winger by introducing him when the game suited his qualities.
Vinicius gives his side on the red card
The dismissal itself has also been the subject of fresh clarification from the player’s camp.
Vinicius has reportedly told those close to him that he never intended to grab Saliba’s hair in the first place. According to his account, there was no malice in the act whatsoever.
Instead, the forward insists his hand simply became caught in the Villarreal defender’s hair by accident as he attempted to sprint past him. It is a version of events that paints the incident as an unfortunate tangle rather than a deliberate pull.
His defence, though, has carried no significance as he has now been slapped with a four-man match and will notably miss the season’s first El Clasico on October 25.
Fortunately for Real Madrid, Yan Diomande seems to have picked up the pace at the right time, notably scoring his first goal for the club against Villarreal. It will be interesting to see if the Ivorian can fill in the shoes of Vinicius for the coming weeks.
Real Madrid have an interesting selection dilemma at left-back, with Marc Cucurella and Alvaro Carreras competing for a starting spot under Jose Mourinho.
While Cucurella brings experience and an established reputation, Carreras is making an increasingly convincing case to become the team’s first-choice option.
The battle between the two Spaniards is particularly relevant given Madrid’s defensive difficulties so far this season.
Mourinho is searching for greater defensive stability and has an important choice to make between Cucurella and Carreras.
Carreras offers the defensive security Madrid need
One of Carreras’ biggest strengths is his ability to defend in one-v-one situations.
The 23-year-old generally looks comfortable against direct wingers, showing patience in his positioning and making it difficult for opponents to get past him.
That defensive reliability is particularly valuable in Mourinho’s system, where full-backs can find themselves isolated when Madrid lose possession.
Cucurella, meanwhile, has occasionally looked vulnerable against opponents attacking him directly, with space opening up for crosses from his side.
With Vinicius Junior usually playing ahead of him, the former Chelsea man does not get the defensive support he needs from his winger, leaving him isolated.
However, Carreras’ case is not built entirely on defending. He is also comfortable carrying possession forward, driving into space and helping Madrid progress down the left flank.
This makes him an attractive option for a team that has struggled to progress the ball up the pitch as consistently as they would have hoped.
Cucurella still offers qualities Mourinho values
Despite the growing case for Carreras, Cucurella should not be dismissed, and his reputation should not be forgotten.
His experience, aggressive pressing and willingness to engage opponents higher up the pitch can be useful when Madrid want to pin back the opposition.
He is also capable of moving into central areas to support possession, giving Mourinho different tactical possibilities.
However, Cucurella’s attacking contributions have not always been as influential as expected during these early weeks.
The Spaniard made a name for himself at Chelsea and with Spain by getting into attacking positions and creating chances for his teammates.
At Madrid, however, with the team looking to pass the ball quickly to runners like Vinicius and Mbappe, the best aspect of Cucurella’s game has not come to the fore.
This makes defensive solidity the primary requirement for Madrid’s left-back, and it is here that Carreras seems to have an advantage over Cucurella.
Carreras deserves an extended opportunity
At this stage, Carreras has a strong argument for becoming Madrid’s preferred left-back.
His defensive qualities appear particularly suited to the team’s immediate needs, while his ability to carry possession ensures Madrid would not sacrifice much attacking potential.
Instead of treating the left-back role as a game of musical chairs, Mourinho would be better off giving one of the two an extended run to make the position their own.
Competition for places is healthy as long as it does not breed insecurity, and at the moment, Carreras seems to be in better form than Cucurella.
It will not be easy to justify benching a summer investment, but Mourinho’s job is to make those difficult calls, and it remains to be seen how he approaches this decision.
