Vinicius Shines as Real Madrid Look Towards Manchester City Clash

In large or small doses, Vinicius is oiled. Ancelotti chose to give him a rest in Mallorca. At least initially. The blue giant that appears on Wednesday invited caution. Of course, it is not complete. In 63′, to the field. Tchouameni had already broken the duel and on the 7th he would enjoy just over half an hour with the match in hand. Madrid did not increase the rent, but Vini warns City. In 31:30 minutes he was the player (along with Modric) who completed the most dribbles (four) and who shot the most. In total (four) and goal (three). Valverde’s great chance that Nastasic miraculously saved was born from an overflow by the Brazilian. He caressed the assist in another baseline scramble with no luck finding a finisher. And he tested Rajkovic without judgment, but without restraint. Vinicius sealed effervescent minutes in Son Moix… looking towards the Etihad.

And he did it ignoring the soundtrack that accompanied it. “You knew it was a special environment for him. But when he came in it was dangerous, he faced it, he was fresh… The whistles are normal. Whistles are synonymous with success,” Ancelotti asserted. A slap on Vini in a field where the stands rebuked and racially insulted him in the past. Scenario where he had a hard time with Maffeo and Raíllo. This Saturday everything was limited to whistle by intervention. The crux was in sports, as will happen on Wednesday against City. Madrid will need the best version of him in Manchester and Vinicius arrives fine. Son Moix was a good appetizer.

As was the duel at the Bernabéu, which, like Mallorca, lacked the icing on the cake. In the first leg against the citizens, Ancelotti surprised by placing Rodrygo on the left and Vini somewhat more centered. Like nine and not fake. The result, double assists. A pinpoint pass behind Guardiola’s team that was sealed by his compatriot and a cross that Valverde converted into gold with a volley. And a feeling that there was a lack of gunpowder for Carletto’s tactical triumph to have led to a sporting triumph. Rayo missed his double with a centered shot and São Gonçalo’s one-on-one shot went too high against Ortega. The aim was lacking, but the recipe worked. Everything indicates that the one from Reggiolo will repeat the slate.

Hunting for Jude

Vinicius is psyched. And in shape. Beyond the last two nights. 2023-24 started off shaky. He missed 31 days (six games) due to a muscle injury in his right leg and later 44 more days (seven games) due to a tear in his femur. A footballer who looked like titanium, bleeding. But the change of year stopped the bleeding. Physical and fitness problems. The lack of rhythm hindered his numbers, while Bellingham scored in Christian style. Jude had 17 points on December 31, Vini only six. Ancelotti predicted in November that both he and Rodrygo would score “more goals than Bellingham throughout the season.” And he insisted: “We have no doubt.”

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Bellingham, Vinicius and Rodrygo celebrate the latter’s goal against City. James Gill – DanehouseDiarioAS

As of April 14, the statement is close to becoming reality. The English midfielder has 20, Osasco’s 16 and Vinicius, 18. Regarding the white number 7, he accompanies his celebrations with nine assists and a forced penalty. Until New Year’s, 0.55 goals and 0.28 assists per 90 minutes. Since then, 0.75 and 0.31. In short, for each complete match, Vinicius participates in 1.07 goals directly. This relocation, minimal because for practically the entire season he has played as a striker, to a more focused position is understood by the white coaching staff as a way to bring Vinicius closer to the celebration.

Something he has done regularly in a Champions League that he has turned into his own garden. Leader in the last three seasons in participations in goals (29, compared to Mbappé’s 26), assists (15, compared to De Bruyne’s 10), decisive passes (65), successful dribbles (98) and duels won (197) . The context as a warning to Guardiola.

With an eye on 2022

And without losing sight of 2022. He didn’t do it last season (4-0), but Vini knows how to dance at the Etihad. In another match that came from behind, in the previous year he turned the Mancunian band into his highway. He left Fernandinho behind and beat Ederson with class. It was 3-2 in a 4-3 final where the result was the best news for Ancelotti. The rest is written in gold in white history, number 14. Without that slalom, our protagonist might not have been able to score the goal for Paris. At the Etihad he has heads and tails. On Wednesday he looks for the bright side of the coin.

2024-04-14 05:06:36
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