Vinicius Junior Set to Return for Real Madrid Against RB Leipzig, Mourinho Emphasizes No Players Position is Guaranteed
Real Madrids Vinicius Junior will return for the Champions League clash against RB Leipzig, with coach Mourinho stressing no players spot is secure.
Madrid, October 20 (Daily Kiran) : Real Madrid’s head coach, Jose Mourinho, has confirmed that Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior will be part of the starting lineup for the UEFA Champions League match against RB Leipzig on Wednesday. However, he made it clear that no player’s position in the team is assured.
Vinicius missed the La Liga match against Sevilla due to a suspension. He received a four-match ban after a red card in the game against Villarreal, which also sidelines him for three additional league matches, including the upcoming El Clasico.
Despite Vinicius’s absence, Real Madrid performed impressively against Sevilla, raising questions about whether Mourinho would reintegrate him directly into the starting eleven. Mourinho responded, “Tomorrow, Vinicius will play on the left wing.”
On the other hand, Mourinho was less forthcoming about Yan Diomande, who joined Real Madrid from Leipzig during the summer. He noted that even the player himself is uncertain about his participation on Wednesday.
Mourinho emphasized that no player is irreplaceable, stating, “In this football club, only the club’s emblem is untouchable. I dislike the idea of considering any player as indispensable. A player’s performance is what makes them special.”
Discussing the potential pairing of young striker Carlos Espi with Kylian Mbappe, Mourinho acknowledged the challenge. He suggested that while both could play together, it would require a 4-2-4 formation. However, he expressed doubts about the team’s chances of winning with such a setup, preferring a balanced attack with wingers.
Regarding the team’s objectives in the Champions League, Mourinho stated that qualifying for the knockout stage is the immediate goal. Following that, the aim will be to secure a spot in the top eight to avoid the playoff rounds.
“We need to first gather the necessary 11-12 points for qualification. After that, we must accumulate enough points to place in the top eight. There is still much work to be done,” he concluded.
