Vinicius embarrasses Mourinho: Alonso's numbers reveal the difference
The mystery of the Brazilian star's form seeks a solution!
Vinicius Junior is enduring a rough spell at Real Madrid. His display at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, coupled with the four-match ban that followed, has left supporters of the Spanish giants dismayed.
Jose Mourinho keeps backing his man in front of the cameras, whatever the criticism trailing the Brazilian. The Portuguese did so again on Saturday at Valdebebas, with Sevilla due at the Santiago Bernabeu later today.
"He is a wonderful boy," Mourinho said. "I greatly appreciate his ability to live and endure while keeping his smile. I appreciate that enormously. If I were in his position, I perhaps would not be here now, and I might have forced the club last summer to allow me to move to a competition or a country and opponents who respect me."
Vinicius's numbers tip the scales in Xabi Alonso's favour
The numbers tell a different story, though. Mourinho may defend Vinicius publicly and lean on him heavily on the pitch, but figures presented by media pundit Sergio Valentin in recent hours paint a less flattering picture of the Brazilian.
Valentin compared the first 10 games Vinicius played under each coach this season and found he hit better levels under Xabi Alonso than he has in his start with Mourinho.
According to the Defensa Central website, Valentin said: "At this stage of the season, after 8 matches in La Liga and two in the Champions League, Vinicius Junior has played fewer minutes and performed worse under Jose Mourinho compared with Xabi Alonso."
He added: "With Xabi Alonso, he started 8 matches and sat on the bench in two, for a total of 1,108 minutes, during which he scored 5 goals and provided 4 assists. With Mourinho, he has started 9 matches and been on the bench once, playing 731 minutes, during which he scored one goal and created 3."
That leaves Vinicius 377 minutes and 4 goals down under Mourinho. The assist column barely moves: just one more in the Xabi Alonso period.
A useful suspension?
That, Valentin concluded, is why the suspension could prove invaluable for Vinicius Junior. The time off lets him work on his physical condition, but also his mental state, as he chases a return to the level that earned him "The Best" award in 2024.
