Real Madrid News
Real Madrid legend wants Xabi Alonso back at the club – ‘I would sign him again’
Real Madrid have not seen as tumultuous an internal atmosphere as they are witnessing now in a long time, and the list of matters that are going wrong for them is seemingly endless.
From a lack of harmony within players to a lack of faith in the manager, the team’s problems are far more deeply rooted than meets the eye.
A massive change, thus, is needed in June and Florentino Perez and Co. are looking to change right from the manager. The coming games will likely be Alvaro Arbeloa’s final games in command.
Iker Casillas weighs in
Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas spoke to the media ahead of El Clasico and was asked about the state of disarray that Los Blancos currently find themselves in.
He admitted that the team was going through a difficult moment but called it a part and parcel of the game that the club had to simply accept.
“Everything is cyclical. Now things are not with us, but we are all football players. We want to win and, sometimes, these difficult moments come,” he said.
“Sometimes it is also good to go through this type of situation and then learn the value of when things are good. But Madrid is the best club in history, and that means always being in focus. Madrid will replenish. Everything has a solution,” he added.
He was then asked about the drama around the managerial position at Real Madrid and who he would ideally sign as Alvaro Arbeloa’s replacement in June. His response, needless to say, was shocking.
“I would sign Xabi Alonso again. For me, he was the perfect coach,” the former captain noted.
Casillas also refused to comment much on Jose Mourinho as a candidate to take over at the club, saying,
“You ask me about him and I don’t care. I had a difficult stage with him, but that’s it,” he added.
Finally, the club legend gave his two cents on the upcoming El Clasico and how he saw the game which could seal the league title.
“If Barça win, Madrid will congratulate them. But if I were a Real Madrid player, my goal would be to at least have the peace of mind that they did not win La Liga against us.”
Source: Diario AS
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. admits finishing problem after another frustrating night vs Elche: ‘Can’t miss that much’
Vinicius Jr.’s difficult start in front of goal continued against Elche, and the Real Madrid forward did not need anyone to tell him he had missed another chance to make the difference.
The Brazilian finished the night without a goal despite having chances to get on the scoresheet, while his teammates could only watch from the bench as opportunities went begging.
Jose Mourinho had already identified the problem before kick-off, bluntly pointing to the issue facing his forward, stating, “He’s missing the goal.”
Vini offered an equally frank assessment afterwards.
Rather than hide from another frustrating evening, he accepted responsibility on social media: “The goals will come back; I can’t miss that much…”
Two chances, no finish for Vinicius
Vinicius had two particularly clear openings against Elche, but neither produced the finish Real Madrid needed from their star forward.
The first arrived when he found himself one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper.
Instead of finding the net, Vinicius caught the ball with the tip of his foot and sent his effort wide. Arda Guler was available during the move and called for the ball, but Vini backed himself to finish the chance.
He had another opportunity after the interval, this time following an excellent pass from Guler during a quick Real Madrid transition. Again, though, Vinicius could not find the target.
His evening ended in the 68th minute, with Mourinho deciding the Brazilian was tired and turning his attention towards Sunday’s Atletico Madrid derby.
Mourinho has a bigger decision to make
The numbers show why Vinicius’ finishing has become a talking point. He managed five shots against Elche, but only one was on target and none found the net.
After seven appearances this season, the Brazilian has scored just once, which is a striking return for a player Real Madrid rely upon to provide a major share of their attacking threat.
Ultimately, though, Real Madrid found another route to victory, with Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe and Carlos Espi providing the goals in the 3-2 comeback.
