Davide Ancelotti, former Real Madrid assistant coach
Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images
Vinicius Junior has endured plenty of scrutiny during his Real Madrid career and is going through a less-than-favourable moment at the club right now.
His form has not been great for either club or country since the start of the campaign, and he is looking to get back to his best sooner rather than later.
Davide Ancelotti has now offered a perspective on why the Brazilian enjoys the dressing room’s support despite these difficult moments.
Ancelotti highlights Vinicius’ team-first mentality
In an interview with AS (h/t Madrid Zone), Ancelotti, now coaching Lille, spoke about what makes Vinicius so loved.
“Vinicius has always been there for the team, which is why his teammates love him,” Ancelotti said.
It is a significant assessment from someone who knows the Madrid dressing room extremely well. Davide spent years alongside his father, Carlo, at the Bernabeu.
Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid player
Vinicius Jr. has not been in the greatest of form this season. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
He worked closely with Vinicius during the winger’s rise into one of Madrid’s decisive players and one of the world’s best players.
From outside Madrid, much of the conversation around Vinicius inevitably focuses on confrontations, reactions and controversy.
Inside the dressing room, however, the picture has consistently appeared different. That support matters, particularly during a difficult period for the Brazilian.
Increased competition in Los Blancos’ attack is putting significant pressure on the South American to start performing.
He was hooked even before the hour mark against Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby, and it was not something the player would have been particularly happy about.
Madrid need their winger back at his best
Being popular with teammates will not remove the sporting demands placed on Vinicius.
Vinicius Jr., Brazil and Real Madrid player
Real Madrid need the version of Vinicius that could terrorize opposition defences. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Real Madrid ultimately need goals, assists and the devastating one-v-one threat that made him such an important figure in their biggest victories.
However, dressing-room relationships matter when a major player is trying to rediscover confidence.
Ancelotti worked with Vinicius through some of the best years of his Madrid career, and he understands that the team will help the Brazilian get back to his best.
Mourinho will hope for the same and to see Vinicius somewhere close to that level after the international break, and it remains to be seen how the rest of his season pans out.
Thiago Pitarch of Real Madrid
Thiago Pitarch of Real Madrid
Thiago Pitarch continues to strengthen his reputation as one of Real Madrid’s most promising young midfielders.
One of Alvaro Arbeloa’s finds during his time as Madrid manager, Pitarch is yet to enjoy significant first-team minutes this season.
Spain Under-21 assistant coach Julian Lopez de Lerma has now highlighted the mentality behind his rapid progress.
Spain coach praises Pitarch mentality
Speaking to El Chiringuito’s Marcos Benito, Lopez de Lerma explained that the Madrid youngster requires very little motivation from the coaching staff because of the intensity with which he approaches every opportunity.
“I didn’t have to demand anything from him. I knew he was going to approach this match as if it were his last,” Lopez de Lerma said.
“Managing Thiago is very easy.”
These are encouraging words about the young Spaniard because they highlight more than his technical ability.
Thiago Pitarch, Real Madrid player
Lopez de Lerma has nothing but praise for Thiago Pitarch. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Young players attempting to establish themselves at the Bernabeu rarely suffer from a lack of talent. The bigger challenge is proving they can handle expectations in the limited opportunities they may receive.
Pitarch appears to understand that already.
The midfielder’s development has accelerated considerably over the past year, with Pitarch increasingly becoming part of the senior picture at Madrid.
Jose Mourinho has already made his confidence in the youngster clear, treating him as a genuine first-team option despite the considerable competition for places in midfield.
The Portuguese tactician loves players who have an elite mentality, and it looks like Pitarch has what it takes to impress him.
Thiago Pitarch of Real Madrid
Thiago Pitarch seems to be a star-in-the-making. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
A player who approaches every appearance as though another opportunity might never arrive is exactly the type of academy talent capable of surviving the demands of Madrid’s first team.
There will inevitably be difficult decisions over Pitarch’s minutes. Madrid possess enormous midfield depth, and development requires more than simply being included in senior squads.
However, at his current age, Pitarch will also learn a lot simply by being around Mourinho and the first-team midfielders.
If there is one academy prospect who looks set for a significant first-team career at the Bernabeu, it is Pitarch, and it remains to be seen how he develops.