Vinicius Jr expressed visible frustration after being substituted in Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Espanyol, as he has yet to play a full 90 minutes in any competition this season. Despite his standout performances, the Brazilian winger’s playing time remains limited under manager Xabi Alonso’s rotation policy.
Vinicius Jr Shines Against Espanyol
In Saturday’s LaLiga clash, Vinicius Jr was a constant threat down the left flank, linking effectively with Mbappe and left-back Alvaro Carreras. He created a key assist for Mbappe’s goal and hit the post with a close-range strike, demonstrating his attacking impact despite being substituted in the 77th minute.
Espanyol struggled to contain his pace and creativity, yet Alonso opted to replace Vinicius to inject fresh energy into the squad, highlighting the manager’s focus on rotation and squad management.
Alonso Defends Rotation Strategy
Xabi Alonso acknowledged Vinicius’s frustration but defended his decision to rotate players.
“The only thing missing for him today was a goal,” Alonso explained. “I substituted him when he was at his best. Maybe I could have waited a little longer, but we needed fresh legs on the wing.”
Alonso emphasized that managing a long season requires careful player rotation. “It’s my job to make the correct decisions for the team. The more options we use effectively, the better we’ll perform across all competitions,” he added.
Vinicius’s Reduced Playing Time
Since Alonso took charge in June, Vinicius has played the full 90 minutes in only one of 12 matches. He has been substituted in 10 games and started on the bench twice, including the Champions League opener against Olympique de Marseille.
The 25-year-old, a key figure in Real Madrid’s Champions League triumphs in 2022 and 2024, remains crucial to the squad despite reduced minutes, contributing assists and threatening opposing defenses consistently.
Conclusion and Future Matches
Vinicius Jr’s frustration under Alonso’s rotation policy highlights the challenge of balancing squad depth with star player satisfaction. Real Madrid will next face Levante away on Tuesday, with Vinicius expected to continue influencing matches even if substituted. His performances remain key to Madrid maintaining top form in LaLiga and Europe.
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