Manager insists the winger “contributes” to the team and he is impressed despite the lack of goals
Xabi Alonso has defended Vinicius Junior after the winger went his 15th game without scoring, as Real Madrid beat Real Betis 5-1 on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Gonzalo Garcia, filling in for the injured Kylian Mbappe, scored a hat-trick and defenders Raul Asencio and Fran Garcia were on target in a demolition of the Andalusians. But Vinicius, despite an impressive performance, failed to find the net.
“I think Vini contributed a lot,” Alonso said in defence of his player. “He started the game well. He got [defender Angel Ortiz] booked so they had to change right-back.
“He was very dangerous, especially in the first half. He keeps going, he contributes to the team. I liked Vini’s game, personally. He’ll be fundamental for us now as we go to the Supercopa with the game against Atletico.”
The Brazilian’s poor goalscoring form comes in a season in which he has fallen out with Alonso over the amount of game time he believes he should be getting. He notably protested the manager’s decision to substitute him with 72 minutes played by remonstrating on the pitch in October’s clásico. He later apologised on social media to everyone except Alonso, before telling the club he would not renew his contract until he understood his position with the manager.
Alonso has repeatedly defended Vinicius and dismissed talk of a problem in their relationship.
One player who was sharp in front of goal was academy graduate Garcia, who made a strong case for more minutes with his perfect hat-trick – scoring with a header, left foot and right foot.
“Gonzalo had a dream game,” Alonso said. “Playing at the Bernabeu, in his first season with the first team, scoring a hat trick.
“I’m really happy for him, with the work he does every day, whether it’s his turn to play or not. He always has an impressive attitude. He’s a great example of what a Real Madrid academy player is.”
