Marca: “Vinicius is falling into the abyss”
Real Madrid left San Mamés with three points that are said to be expensive. Because of the context of the match, because of the strength of the opposition, and because the week started with the blow of defeat in the Spanish Super Cup.
Ancelotti changed many of the main players in the formation against Athletic Bilbao and pushed players who were lying on the bench, such as Ceballos and Asensio. Then he found Nacho’s countless super response when he had to rely on him. And in San Mamés, his team raised the defensive level significantly.
But he has also returned with a problem that is getting worse, that of Vinicius who, away from the Bernabéu, has become a focus of opposing fans’ anger and something that has consequences for the performance of the Brazilian winger.
The scenario has been repeated with him for a long time: Vallecano, Villarreal, Valladolid, Bilbao … The rival fans’ anger at Vinicius began before the match, without there being a reason for booing in the stands when his name was announced.
This attack from the fans translates later in the matches, where Vinicius gets into fights that affect his performance. There are times when he beats him, like in the cup when he was involved in all three goals against Villarreal, but the dominant impression is that his performance was greatly affected by this attack and made him far from the great level he showed last season.
The San Mamés match was a clear example of this. After the minutes had passed, the same scenario occurred, affecting Vinicius’ speed and verticality in the attack. He got into friction with his rivals (De Marcos, Inaki Williams, Nico, Vesga…) too much.
It is a problem that Carlo Ancelotti, who makes no secret of it, is aware that it is an issue that affects his player. And he said after the Bilbao match: “Everyone pushes him: the fans, the rivals, the referees … The truth is that I don’t know why this happens, because he dedicates himself to playing. It’s affecting him, but he’s young and I’m sure he’ll get better in that aspect. He’s a very sensitive boy and I talk to him so he can be focused. We want him to get more respect.”
falls into the abyss
Over time, Vinicius has become a player who is eagerly awaited by the attacks of fans everywhere in Spain – it never happened to him in the Champions League. What happened in some rounds is now systemic.
Ancelotti discovered the problem, because he sees it as one that affects his team’s performance. It is a subject to work on and try to control. It only happens because of what the Italian can control and work on: Vinicius’ header.
That is why the Italian does not stop in matches to take care of what his player is doing, to protect him and also so that he can focus only on the field and forget about gesticulating to the stands, opponents and protesting to the referees.
On Thursday, at home and in the derby, Vinicius will enjoy the warmth of his team, the Bernabéu he loves and adores. But after a few days, he will go to Palma to face Real Mallorca, which witnessed great tension last season.
Real Madrid knows that this problem has no solution with regard to the rivals. He understands that the rulers have to protect Vinicius more. And for the Brazilian to learn how to move in this hostile context from competitors and stands.
Ancelotti needs him to be focused and to be like last season, with 22 goals and a deadly partnership with Benzema. This season he has 11 goals, but he hasn’t seen a league goal since the match against Girona on October 30.
Source: Marca
