Real Madrid showed glimpses of their ceiling in the opening half hour against Marseille. Xabi Alonso’s side overwhelmed their opponent with intensity and positional control, pressing high and “flowing with the ball,” as Álvaro Benito noted on El Larguero (Cadena SER).
While the tactical conversation is important, the headline story is Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian forward was left on the bench in a Champions League match at the Santiago Bernabeu for the first time in six years.
Benito was unequivocal
on the matter: “It’s something more than a rotation.” He stressed that Alonso always acts with the collective in mind, as well as Vinícius’ individual development, but also acknowledged the frustration of a player who has long been considered untouchable.
According to Benito, Vinícius could be feeling “sporting pain” from the situation:
“He has to be feeling sporting pain, there’s no doubt, from not feeling absolutely untouchable, from losing that status you believe you have when you’ve become one of the best players in the world on merit. He has to summon pride, be well advised, and if he gets close to his best level, he’ll be untouchable again. Yesterday was more than a rotation—it was the first Champions League match, and naturally it hurt his pride, but he must interpret it well.”
Those close to Vinicius view it as unfair, according to a report from The Athletic while Benito frames it as “slight wake-up calls” from Alonso.
Benito also shifted gears and discussed Jude Bellingham’s impending return to the team. Benito was clear on his importance to Alonso’s project:
“Bellingham is going to come in for Güler, there’s no doubt because he’s the weakest link.”
He added that the Englishman’s qualities would alter Madrid’s dynamics:
“I don’t think he’ll take Valverde or Tchouaméni out of the XI. And Bellingham is a different type of player than Güler—he’s about pressure, breaking into the box, driving forward… his characteristics change the way you play.”
