Real Madrid News
How did Real Madrid fare without Vinicius last season – A statistical look
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. has been sidelined for about three weeks due to a recent hamstring injury.
This means the Brazilian winger will miss several key matches, including those against Liverpool, Atalanta, Getafe, Athletic Club, Girona, and Rayo Vallecano. The hope is that he will be fit in time for the Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar on 18 December.
The Brazilian’s absence is particularly significant for coach Carlo Ancelotti, who already faces a challenging situation with several other key players also injured, including Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Eder Militao, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Rodrygo.
Vinicius has been one of Madrid’s most influential players this season, scoring 12 goals in 18 games. He has also been a constant presence on the pitch, starting in all but one of Madrid’s matches this season.
A trouble or not a problem?
Interestingly, this is not the first time that Real Madrid have lost the forward during this crucial time. During the early part of the previous season, he missed a total of 11 games due to two separate muscle injuries.
Despite these setbacks, Madrid managed to perform well in his absence, securing 10 wins, 2 draws, and just one loss across 13 matches.
This includes a string of victories in La Liga and the Champions League, with the team managing to win crucial games such as against Getafe, Real Sociedad, Union Berlin, Cadiz, and Villarreal.
In August 2023, Vinicius was absent for four matches due to a muscle injury, and Madrid managed to win three of those games. The only loss came in the Madrid derby against Atletico at the Metropolitano.
Furthermore, a torn femur kept him out for 31 days, but Madrid still managed to win all of their league matches, except for a 1-1 draw against Betis. In the Champions League, they secured victories over Napoli and Union Berlin.
During this time, the team scored 27 goals, meaning that they averaged two goals per match.
Real Madrid’s results without Vinicius last season
The overall record without Vinicius has been largely positive for Madrid. While his presence is undoubtedly missed, the team has managed to perform at a high level even in his absence, with 10 wins, 2 draws, and only one loss across the 13 matches he missed.
La Liga
Real Madrid vs Getafe: 2-1
Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad: 2-1
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid: 3-1
Cadiz vs Real Madrid: 0-3
Real Madrid vs Granada: 2-0
Real Betis vs Real Madrid: 1-1
Real Madrid vs Villarreal: 4-1
Alaves vs Real Madrid: 0-1
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid: 1-1
Real Madrid vs Athletic Club: 2-0
UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid vs Union Berlin: 1-0
Real Madrid vs Napoli: 4-2
Union Berlin vs Real Madrid: 2-3
Real Madrid will need to continue their strong performances without Vinicius, especially against Liverpool as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures, with the hope that he will be back in action for the Intercontinental Cup final in December.
In a major update, AS reports that former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend Toni Kroos has taken his first step towards starting his coaching career.
The former Germany international has told the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that he is interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers.
Real Madrid tried to bring Kroos back
It is no secret that Real Madrid considered bringing Toni Kroos back into the club’s structure after the end of the last season.
The club president, Florentino Perez, had wanted Kroos to have a daily presence at Valdebebas rather than making occasional appearances after his retirement.
Jose Angel Sanchez and Kroos spoke after Perez expressed his desire to see the German working at Valdebebas every day. However, they did not find the right moment, time or structure to give his return a clear form.
A comeback remains one of the possibilities most desired by Madrid supporters because of Kroos’ charisma and what he represents at the Santiago Bernabeu. Neither side wanted him to return simply for the sake of it, so the door remains open for the future.
The relationship between the two parties is excellent, and both know that the opportunity to work together again will eventually come.
Taking it step by step
For now, Kroos continues to run the academy he established in Boadilla, enjoying the opportunity to help develop younger players.
After two years away from the competitive side of football, however, he is beginning to look towards the dugout as a possible next step in his career.
Kroos currently holds coaching qualifications that allow him to work up to the third tier of Spanish football.
This is possible because professionals with at least seven years of proven experience and significant involvement at the elite level can gain direct access to accelerated coaching courses.
That means Kroos could coach a team in Primera Federacion, but the German wants to take things gradually.
Kroos has already informed the RFEF that he would be interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers during the 2027/28 season.
The course taking place this season is not available to elite former players, with UEFA limiting each campaign to 20 places.
With his current qualifications, Kroos could work as an assistant coach, but he cannot yet take charge as a head coach in either the top flight or the Segunda División.
But completing that programme would allow Kroos to obtain the UEFA A licence, which would enable him to coach teams at any level.
