Brazilian forward came off the bench and was involved in the sending off of two Getafe players
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso wants “decisive” Vinicius Junior focuses and at his best as Real Madrid prepare for a tricky run of fixtures.
The Brazilian has five goals and four assists in 11 appearances so far this season but has only completed 90 minutes of football three times under the new manager.
Against Getafe last weekend he came off the bench and, although he didn’t score, was in the middle of a controversy that saw two Getafe players sent off.
“He’s a very good player,” Alonso said. “He’s fundamental for this team and for this squad – he is this season and he has been for a long time.
“He’s decisive, I like to see him smiling. We need him focused on the game, on what he does well. The day-to-day is good and he’s responding well in games.”
Madrid go up against Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday, before facing Barcelona in the first clásico of the season.
Vinicius’ performance against Getafe on Sunday weakened the stubborn home side, with Mbappe breaking the deadlock just three minutes after Allan Nyom had been given his marching orders.
The lone goal allowed Madrid to climb back into the top spot after temporarily conceding it to Barcelona, only a week before the two rivals meet at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Vinicius’s conduct drew criticism from Getafe coach Jose Bordalas, who accused Vinicius of a “lack of respect”.
But his Madrid teammate Thibaut Courtois said it was “good” if he could “unsettle opponents”.
“They looked for him from the start and he unsettled them,” said Courtois. “He had a good answer, he helped us to be dangerous, helped us score.
“I had Diego Costa in my team [at Chelsea] and he was the best at that – he drove defences crazy. If Vinicius can do that, great. It’s important for us that he’s focused on the game, because he’s one of the best in the world.”
