• Chronicle: Vinicius does everything but the goal
  • Controversy: The slip that almost costs the red one to Vinicius

When the referee took the sign with his number, seven minutes to go, Vinicius wrinkled his nose and stuck out his tongue. Two gestures that defined his state of that moment well. On the one hand (the nose), he wanted to continue a little more on the grass, in search of that goal he needs so much; and on the other (the tongue), the change was a relief because at that point it was already circulating almost without gasoline. Two Vinicius in one , the two faces faced by this player who yesterday was the protagonist of the game although he did not give any assistance or mark either. It did not matter, since his name floated during the duel and also at the end, with Espanyol very angry about his fault that could cost him the second yellow. And the expulsion.

Madrid billed a valuable victory for the League, although it lacked the lights of previous days. Without Hazard, the left flank of the attack went to the young Brazilian, wanting a ball from the first minute. “He has worked well defensively and offensively, especially in the first part, in which he has had two occasions. Playing less lately, he has done quite well, ” Zinedine Zidane summed up, very interested in the boy clearing clouds and making the most of his unquestionable potential.

That is why it has been a long time that he has put specific technification sessions in the fields of Valdebebas , so that he improves the orientation of the ball in the race and, above all, his shot on goal, a lethal defect for a striker. The coaching staff strive to polish the conditions of a special footballer, in the group of the five fastest ( Bale continues to lead that ranking) and with the most explosive start of the squad.

«Everything comes with confidence, the important thing is to make a goal to get into that dynamic. He has done well after not playing, and that is the most important thing, ”said his coach. Of course you can criticize many things to Vinicius, but not his lack of daring.

From the first minute, the Brazilian asked for a hint with despair. Each ball was a race against the visiting defender, which failed to stop him. The Bernabéu also wanted to see the only player who did something last season to attract audiences to the stadium. The noise of the stands with him passed from the murmur of expectation, every time he threw one of his powerful sprints , to the sigh of general regret when he returned to resolve badly in the area. Much merit must also be given to Diego López , because he stopped him with a couple of great stops.

Zidane applauds him

«It is maturing and I think that is what makes the difference. We all have something that we can improve, but we cannot reproach him for anything. I hope it stays that way, ”Zidane dedicated, now that high-demand appointments arrive where Hazard will not be. Despite not marking yesterday, the French coach left happy with the performance of Vinicius, who went from being out of the calls and the bench to generate most of the white danger in the first part. Of course, his excess momentum almost sends him to the booth expelled.

He won a yellow for hitting the Espanyol goalkeeper in an action where he could do little, and then, before the break, the referee forgave him the second by judging that his foul on David Lopez was the result of a slip. At the end of the match, Pablo Machín , the coach of the Catalan team, lamented the controversial play: «The force is excessive ... I think it was yellow». Zidane, however, thought otherwise: "Of course it is necessary, but it is without intention."

On the right side Rodrygo got good applause when he was replaced. He, without the fire of his compatriot, does demonstrate how to master the times. After passing through the locker room, he applauded the friend. «Vinicius is a great player. Its great feature is that it plays very direct. During training he always talked. We improvise and understand each other only with our eyes, ”said the 18-year-old attacker, who also started yesterday at noon. With Hazard and Bale injured, the offensive front looks for occupants for places as complicated as Mestalla (next Sunday) and Camp Nou (December 18). Before, he quotes nothing at stake on Wednesday in Bruges, with the pass to the eighths of the Champions already guaranteed.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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  • Zinedine Zidane
  • Eden Hazard
  • Gareth Bale
  • sports
  • First division

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