Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has opted to leave Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior out of the starting lineup for the upcoming match against Mallorca. This decision seems to be particularly surprising given the current speculation around Vinicius’s future with the club which has brewed even more since Alonso’s arrival on the bench. The match is scheduled for Saturday, August 30, at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, with kick-off set for 9:30 PM local time (19:30 GMT).
In Alonso’s mind, each player needs to compete for their role on the team. This is evidenced on and off the field as competition is still extremely stiff in the squad. Given the club’s recent slide, this approach might be just what the doctor ordered nationally. Fresh off a Champions League crown and currently joint-top of La Liga with two wins from two matches.
Real Madrid’s Current Form
Real Madrid has also begun the season by winning their first two matches. On the other side, Andoni Iraola’s men were nothing short of brilliant last time out, claiming a stunning 3-0 victory over Real Oviedo. The team’s inspired play has propelled them past Celta Vigo, Real Sociedad, Barcelona and Betis to the very top of La Liga’s standings.
Real Madrid should continue building their standing in the league. During the next match against Mallorca, Real Madrid will have a better chance of continuing to dominate. In their long history, they’ve done well against their Iberian neighbors, taking 29 of their 47 all-time meetings. In stark contrast, Mallorca has been able to win just 13 games out of the total matches played against Real Madrid. Specifically, Mallorca now finds themselves in 16th place in the league table, having only picked up a single point from their opening two matches.
The Vinicius Junior Situation
The potential reasons for Vinicius Junior’s omission from the starting lineup should cause alarm bells to ring about his long-term future at Real Madrid. The veteran winger has been among the most often speculated players to leave the club since Alonso took over. Yet, ahead of the tournament, Alonso had shown his faith in Vinicius, and the forward’s dangerous cameo from the bench against Oviedo showcased just that.
“I’m very happy with Vini. Against Oviedo, he showed that he can have a big impact coming off the bench. We’re just getting started … and he’s going to be crucial.” – Xabi Alonso
Vinicius is a really good player but, as Alonso said, he’s not going to show his cards before the game about Mallorca.
“It wouldn’t be very smart of me to tell you what I’m going to do, put him as a starter or on the left wing again,” – Xabi Alonso
Vinicius isn’t the only player Powers and Alonso will be missing. Injuries to stars like Jude Bellingham, Endrick, Ferland Mendy, and Eduardo Camavinga have further compounded issues. This troubling occurrence could add yet another layer of complexity to the manager’s selection for the big match.
Mallorca’s Challenges Ahead
Mallorca come to the Bernabeu hoping to still be in touching distance of survival after a poor opening to their season. They’ve only taken one point from their first two games. Now, they are in for a real battle against an ultra-powerful Real Madrid side. Future new signing Pablo Torre will be looking to claim the number 10 role for Real Mallorca. His arrival puts a new and exciting talent in their lineup.
Mallorca have historically not fared well against Real Madrid, having lost four of their last five encounters. They are about to face off in what will be a key matchup. First, they’ll be looking to reverse their luck and grab some more away points.
