Three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Villarreal | La Liga MD 8
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Real Madrid’s international break was an eventful one, but not for the reasons one would expect. After all, the media has ensured that the club’s name stays in the limelight for all the wrong reasons, and it is clear that the pressure is now mounting on them.
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Having gone two seasons without a major trophy, this was supposed to be the season Los Blancos got back on track and made their presence felt globally once more.
So far, however, they have not taken a single step towards that objective yet and have gone game after game just scraping by with three points.
With the first international break now past them, however, they have crossed the first milestone of the season and all eyes will now view them with higher scrutiny. Slow adaptation can no longer be the excuse.
Tomorrow, the club return from the international break and take on Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu, and it will be interesting to see if they can bounce back in La Liga with a win.
Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Villarreal.
Vinicius Jr. under heavy pressure
The season is only getting more complicated for Vinicius Jr. as the weeks pass, and it is now time one begins to wonder at what point the player will begin sinking.
Having already been in a slump in form over the past two seasons, the new campaign has begun disastrously for the Brazilian star as he no longer has the same impact in the final third for club or for country.
Vinicius was stellar at the FIFA World Cup, and many saw it to be the redemption arc for the player. He returned to Real Madrid, however, and resumed struggling once more.
Over the past few weeks, his performances have gone from bad to worse. Just when one thought the international break could be his redemption once more, he has only gone on and dropped an even poorer chain of displays with Brazil.
Against Australia and even India, the player looked absolutely uninspiring, lost for ideas and disconnected from the play. He now returns to Real Madrid even lower on morale, and it remains to be seen what Jose Mourinho makes of the situation.
Ahead of the international break, there was already talk of Yan Diomande potentially taking Vinicius’ starting spot on the left-flank with Arda Guler starting down the right.
If Vinicius cannot step up in the coming games, that theory may well end up becoming a reality.
Eyes on Kylian Mbappe
Under the scanner. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
While Vinicius Jr. made the headlines in the international break for one reason, Kylian Mbappe caught the media’s attention for a different reason, but the Frenchman is also under the same pressure as his teammate.
Having left the French national team camp after suffering an injury, the player went on vacation with his friends and partner.
On vacation, he even put up clips of himself indulging in activities like cycling, which would be acceptable in any scenario except a world where he is suffering from a knee injury.
The development, needless to say, did not go down with Real Madrid fans, French fans, or the media, and a lot has been said about the player in recent days, including a massive smear campaign.
Mourinho knew of Mbappe’s vacation and even sanctioned the same, but fans cite Mbappe’s actions as a lack of professionalism and commitment to the club.
Mbappe has largely performed for Real Madrid this season, but he will be under pressure tomorrow once more as he must prove that he is indeed well and truly past his injury and that his small getaway did not affect his fitness.
After all, the period ahead will be challenging and will need Mbappe to be at his best week in and week out.
An unforgiving period ahead
Real Madrid lost their last game before the international break, which was against Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby, and are currently six points behind Barcelona, who continue to sit on a perfect record.
What lies ahead of them across all competitions, however, is a serious challenge that could already make or break the club’s season.
Tomorrow’s game against Villarreal, in that sense, is just the start of a grueling month where Los Blancos have multiple high-stakes games against challenging opponents.
They take on AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League midweek in a tricky game, and then have an in-form Sevilla who are just two points behind them in the league standings. Thereafter, Real Madrid take on RB Leipzig and then FC Barcelona in La Liga.
Any slip-ups over the next month could see the team nine, or even potentially twelve, points behind Barcelona, who are showing no signs of slowing down. Getting on track, thus, is imperative.
After a slow start, it is thus high time Mourinho’s side wakes up andsmellsl the coffee, for there is no more time to waste. They have looked unconvincing for far too long, and it is now time to take matters in their own hands.