The Vinicius Junior form is not very good at the moment. The 26-year-old Brazilian left-winger had a tough game in Real Madrid’s defeat to Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday, September 20. Los Blancos were beaten 2-1 by their city rivals, and it was their second defeat in seven matches this season in La Liga and kept them six points behind table-toppers Barcelona.
The Vinicius Junior form left a lot to be desired in the match against Atletico Madrid. The Brazilian was a peripheral figure largely, and that must have worried Jose Mourinho. The Vinicius Junior form must improve if he is to help Los Blancos win silverware after two trophyless seasons.
Vinicius Junior Form: How Bad Has It Been?
The Brazilian has scored 129 goals in 384 matches in eight seasons for Real Madrid so far. In each of the past five seasons, he has crossed the landmark of 20 goals for Los Blancos. However, so far this season, he has scored a solitary goal in eight matches. Vinicius Junior has a goal-scoring ratio of one goal in every three matches for Los Blancos so far. However, his goal-scoring rate this season has not been nearly as good. The problem for Real Madrid is that they already have a winger in Yan Diomande who has cost them in excess of €110 million, and it was Diomande who actually replaced Vinicius in the second half in the match against Atletico.
Now, Diomande was recruited on a long-term basis, as he is only 19. He is still quite raw and is yet to score for Los Blancos in his eight matches for them. However, if the Vinicius Junior form does not improve, Mourinho might be forced to replace him with Diomande in the near future. He simply cannot afford to keep picking a player based on his reputation, however good that might be.
Vinicius has been a counter-attacking threat for the majority of his stint with Real Madrid so far, during which he has won two UEFA Champions League titles and three La Liga titles. However, Real Madrid’s inability to set him free inside the final third with probing passes stuck out like a sore thumb in the match against Atletico Madrid. Los Rojiblancos dominated ball possession in that match, and yet, Real Madrid failed to capitalise on that by utilising Vinicius properly.
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Extra Time Note
Vinicius Junior is most dangerous as a player in two scenarios: firstly, when he is breaking through counters into a large empty space through the left side of the pitch in the opposition half, and secondly, when he can combine quickly with his fellow forwards in and around the opposition penalty box.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler can be lightning quick in the final third, as can Vinicius himself. However, it is the job of the deep-lying midfielders like Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga to play the suitable passes to catch the forwards in perfect positions.
Unless that happens, the Vinicius Junior form cannot improve. Mourinho should have that in mind, as he cannot allow one of his primary weapons to remain relatively inactive. The international break will help the Portuguese manager rethink his strategies, which should help the Vinicius Junior form improve. Otherwise, he will be at risk of losing his spot in the starting XI to Diomande, Real Madrid’s recruit from RB Leipzig.
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