Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid player
Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images
Jose Mourinho is sticking with Vinicius Jr. despite the Brazilian’s difficult start to the season, with the Real Madrid winger expected to start against Villarreal while Yan Diomande prepares for a place on the bench.
According to AS, Mourinho intends to retain his familiar attacking trio as Madrid return to La Liga action at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The decision comes at a crucial point in the campaign, with Los Blancos already six points behind Barcelona and under pressure to prevent the gap from growing.
The outlet mentions that although changes are expected elsewhere in the starting XI because of the circumstances surrounding Real Madrid’s preparations, Mourinho appears unwilling to make a major alteration to his forward line.
Vinicius gets another start despite poor form
Vinicius has struggled to produce his usual numbers during the opening weeks of the campaign.
Across his first eight matches, the Brazilian has registered just one goal and three assists, marking his worst start to a season since the pandemic.
That return has fuelled questions about whether Mourinho should consider alternative options on the left wing.
Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid player
Vinicius will retain his starting role. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)
However, the Portuguese coach is prepared to continue backing the 26-year-old, hoping regular opportunities will help him recover his confidence and attacking influence.
On the other hand, Arda Guler is expected to operate on the right, with Kylian Mbappe leading the line.
The arrangement would preserve the attacking structure Mourinho has generally preferred, rather than reshuffling the forward line after a difficult run for Vinicius.
Diomande misses out despite impressing for Real Madrid
Meanwhile, Diomande has given Mourinho a genuine alternative on the left.
The summer signing impressed in the matches against Elche and Atletico Madrid before the international break, strengthening the argument for a bigger role in the first team.
His direct running and willingness to take on defenders have offered Madrid another attacking dimension.
Yan Diomande, Real Madrid player
Diomande will be on the bench against Villarreal. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
With Vinicius struggling for consistency, Diomande’s performances have made the competition for the position increasingly interesting.
However, the Spanish outlet indicates that the young attacker will begin the Villarreal match among the substitutes.
Real Madrid cannot afford another setback
The selection decision comes with Real Madrid needing a response in the league.
Villarreal may have endured an uneven start, but their quality makes them a dangerous opponent, particularly if Los Blancos fail to control the match.
With Barcelona holding a six-point advantage, Mourinho needs both results and improved performances from his attacking players.
Backing Vinicius could pay off if the Brazilian rediscovers his best form, but Diomande’s emergence gives the coach another option should the established forward struggle again.
Real Madrid superstar might be ‘annoyed’ by club’s backing of Mbappe for Ballon d’Or – report
Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid player
Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid player
Having not won any trophies last season, Real Madrid is not heavy on the Ballon d’Or campaign so far this year, and understandably so given that they do not have the results to back them.
Kylian Mbappe, however, has begun and maintained a strong campaign of his own in recent weeks and is openly portraying himself as a strong frontrunner for the award.
Having been the top-scorer of virtually every top event he played, there is indeed a strong case to be made for Mbappe. His inability to win a single trophy with club or country, however, is the single-biggest hurdle.
Internal politics on the rise
Last month, there was a strong report in the Spanish media that Mbappe was unhappy with Real Madrid for not backing his claim and campaign to be the Ballon d’Or winner.
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid superstar
Mbappe is pushing for the Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)
Now, as reported by Mario Cortegana, there could be an element of internal politics involved in the development.
A source close to a player who maintains good relations with both Mbappe and Vinicius has reportedly opened up and admitted that the Brazilian star might be annoyed by Real Madrid’s backing of Mbappe for the Ballon d’Or.
It is unknown if the club’s relative silence on the topic has anything to do with the Brazilian star’s sentiments, but it is clear that there is an internal divide in the dressing room.
A need to reconcile
The idea of bringing Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid was always spoken of in the same context as Vinicius Jr.’s sense of responsibility.
Kylian Mbappe. Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid players
It simply is not working out. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
There was a sense that bringing in a second superstar would ease the load on Vinicius’ shoulders, and that the duo could thrive together and achieve the highest of peaks.
In reality, however, Vinicius and Mbappe have seldom managed to create any regular output, and the former’s stature has progressively reduced to an all-time low.
The report of Vinicius’ sentiment controlling Real Madrid’s support of Mbappe further hints at a divide between the two players, and possibly even the dressing room.
At this point in Real Madrid’s story, where the club continue to suffer and remain far from their best, there is an immediate need to move past personal rivalries and unite for the betterment of the team.