Davide Ancelotti makes feelings clear on Vinicius Junior amid Real Madrid struggles

Real Madrid already had one of the most fearsome attacking lines on paper during the last two seasons, boasting some of the very best attacking players in Europe, including the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham. The Merengues strengthened this forward line even further this season by adding another star, Yan Diomande.

However, the team’s attack has still not performed up to its expected standards. Concerns remain about the ability of Vinicius and Mbappe to perform at their optimal levels when playing together, while the Brazilian’s form in itself has also raised a lot of disaffection among the fans.

Still, there is no doubt that he remains one of the most decisive players in world football. This was certainly the view of the former Real Madrid assistant coach Davide Ancelotti, who recently appeared in an interview with Diario AS, and commented on several aspects related to the Merengue club.

Despite fans’ patience running thin with him, the younger Ancelotti explained why Vinicius is loved by his teammates:

“What can I say about Vini… He scored in two Champions League finals with us. I can only be grateful to him. It is no coincidence that a player everyone in the dressing room likes is so popular. Because he is generous. He never misses a training session. He doesn’t hide, he doesn’t deceive you, he never spares himself an effort, he never tells you, ‘This hurts, so I’m not training.’ He is always there for the team. And the players know that, which is why he is so well-liked.”

The Italian highlighted what makes the Brazilian such a special player:

“When he is playing well, he is very difficult to contain. You have to be aware that you have a player like him because he has an impact on the team’s overall balance. He has an impact because he is a very direct, very vertical player. He has so much confidence in his ability that he always takes on his man… And you need a structure behind him that allows you to play with him. If you don’t have that, the game starts to become chaotic. Because Vini always goes for it, and always goes for it…”

“You are not going to change Vini, but what you can change is the structure behind him. And when he is in a positive spell, Vini decides matches for you. He has done it many times for Madrid.”

The current Lille manager was asked about the presence of both Mbappe and Vinicius on the same team, to which he replied:

“(Laughs) You have to make the most of having a very vertical team, knowing that this will give you a lot, while also being prepared for what it takes away from you. Look, I’m not talking about the current Madrid team; I’m not here to solve anyone’s problems, I have enough of my own… But Madrid have always had those players who don’t give you as much control. And the important thing is that you don’t allow the team to become stretched. That has always been the challenge.”

On the other hand, Davide also recognized that Vinicius made a mistake by publicly protesting against Xabi Alonso’s decision to sub him out last season:

“First of all, I felt sorry for Xabi because I have a good relationship with him. It wasn’t right. Vini is the first to know that he made a mistake because you have to show respect to the coach, the club, your teammates and the fans. But it is in the past now. I don’t think Madrid failed to win important trophies because of that moment.”

Furthermore, the Italian highlighted that this gesture was not anything out of the ordinary, and Real Madrid dressing room is full of highly professional players:

“If that were the case, there would be no need for a coach. That doesn’t reflect reality. Madrid’s players are extremely professional. We never had a bad reaction from anyone. Do they not want to come off the pitch? Fine, that’s normal. Kroos did what Vini did a thousand times. Modric did it in his own language. Casemiro does it… But that doesn’t mean the players are in charge. The coach is in charge in the Madrid dressing room.”

Having worked with him at both Real Madrid and the Brazil national team, Davide Ancelotti is in a particularly good position to know how to get the best out of Vinicius Junior. These comments can prove useful for Jose Mourinho, especially as it remains one of his main challenges to unlock the Brazilian’s true potential and make the Merengue attack perform at its best level.