Real Madrid News
La Liga defender fires shot at Vinicius Jr amid fouling controversy: “There’s a reason why”
Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr is the most fouled player in La Liga this season and has been the subject of harsh treatment in multiple games.
The forward himself has complained about his treatment by La Liga defenders multiple times in the past while Real Madrid, too, have issued concern about the same.
In a recent interview, RCD Mallorca defender Pablo Maffeo, who has had a few altercations with Vinicius in the past, was asked about the Brazilian. The former Stuttgart starlet offered an interesting response, accusing the player of a poor attitude toward opposition players.
“Maybe it’s not that we all hate Vinicius, it’s that there’s a reason why. When you’re hot and he tells you you’re going down to the 2nd division, it stings, it stings inside,” he said (h/t MARCA).
Maffeo explained the situation around Vinicius, suggesting that the Brazilian, too, might be to blame for the way defenders treat him.
“At school, they told me that I was behaving badly, and my mother told me that it couldn’t be that all the teachers had a bad thing for me. ‘You may have also done bad things,’ she told me, and I think the same thing happens with Vinicius,” he added.
Pablo Maffeo’s comments on Vinicius come just weeks before Real Madrid lock horns with Mallorca in La Liga, at the start of February. The two players are likely to be pitted against each other once again.
Vinicius will be certainly hoping to prove a point, but the Brazilian may once again receive another harsh treatment from the Mallorca defensive line that involves Maffeo.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho considering starting 23-year-old Real Madrid ace against Villarreal – report
After impressing during the international break, Eduardo Camavinga has a major opportunity to establish himself in Real Madrid’s midfield rotation.
Indeed, according to Defensa Central, Jose Mourinho is considering starting the Frenchman against Villarreal, with injuries and doubts over several players limiting his options.
Real Madrid cannot afford to drop points against Villarreal if they want to remain in the title race. However, Mourinho has issues to deal with in the squad, which could lead him to turn to Camavinga for a crucial role.
Camavinga could replace Tchouameni in midfield
The 23-year-old star could line up as the defensive midfielder in the double pivot, with Bernardo Silva or Arda Guler alongside him, and will be tasked with providing balance in midfield.
Real Madrid face Villarreal with several problems in central defence. Ibrahima Konate is expected to be a late call, leading Mourinho to consider moving Aurelien Tchouameni into defence alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Meanwhile, Federico Valverde could also struggle to be ready after the ankle injury he sustained in the derby before the international break.
The Uruguayan has continued to work individually away from the group and might return to group training tomorrow. Even then, his readiness to start remains in question.
That would leave a place open in midfield, with Camavinga in line to fill in.
Camavinga impressed during the international break
Camavinga has started only one match this season, the defeat against Real Betis.
Despite his limited opportunities, Mourinho is keen to bring the Frenchman back into the fold after he impressed for France during the international break.
Zinedine Zidane called the Real Madrid star up for his first France squad, and the midfielder performed well during the break.
That has given Mourinho and Real Madrid reason to be optimistic about using him against Villarreal, with the hope that he can move closer to the level he showed after first arriving at the club.
Therefore, the Villarreal match could represent an important test for Camavinga and a chance for the Frenchman to show that he can provide the balance Real Madrid need in midfield.
Pat Grey
January 25, 2023 at 9:58 pm
Vinicius sometimes invites fouls by holding on to the ball unnecessarily longer, and by his sometimes senseless dribbles! If he wants to reach his full potential, Biniciius must learn how to quickly pass balls to his team mates when he realizes he cannot zip his way through a pack of players! Messi does that all the time, and that, among other talents he has, has made him arguably the best player in modern football.