Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso intends to have words with Vinicius Jr after his stroppy reaction to being substituted during the win over Barcelona.
The Spanish giants clashed at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon and the home side came away with a 2-1 victory.
Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham scored the goals either side of a Fermin Lopez equaliser over a dramatic contest in Madrid, which also saw Mbappe have a penalty saved.
The score was 2-1 on 72 minutes when Alonso instructed Rodrygo to get stripped and ready to come on and when Vinicius saw that he was the one to be replaced he was incredulous.
The Brazilian did not hide how fuming he was to be taken off, blanking his manager and then raging on the bench before going down the tunnel.
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Asked about his forwards angry reaction, Alonso played it down but said he would have words with him.
‘I don’t want to lose focus on what’s important,’ said the manager. ‘These are things that we will talk about. Within the great game that he has been, Vini has also contributed a lot.
‘It is an important, deserved, even short victory. We had chances, the penalty… It gives us the feeling of a competitive team in big games.
‘Within the squad there are different personalities. Now we will enjoy and, in due course, we will talk in the dressing room.’
The 25-year-old seemed happy enough after the victory, posting a string of pictures from the match, with the caption: ‘A nice Sunday at home!!! LETS GO REAL MADRID!!!’
Speaking about the dust-up between the two sides at the end of the game, Alonso said: ‘It was the timing and the tension on the part of both teams.
‘These clashes have always happened and are a result of the desire we have for each other. We shouldn’t be scared by a clash, as long as it’s healthy, courteous, and respectful. It was the tension of an important match and a close result.
‘We didn’t concede too many chances, and I interpret that as normal. We shouldn’t overemphasize those tense moments. Everything has happened in the Clasicos , and we have another game on Saturday.’
Vinicius may have been disappointed he wasn’t the star of the show on Sunday, but Bellingham arguably was after he brilliantly assisted Mbappe’s goal and then scored his own.
The England international has recovered from shoulder surgery and is getting back to his best, shining on the biggest stage and delighting his manager after scoring the winner against Juventus in midweek as well.
‘He was good both on the day against Juve and today, and even at Getafe,’ said Alonso.
‘He had three very good matches, and we knew before the last break that he needed minutes to get going and get some feeling. He did better than expected after the break.
‘He’s a player who really knows how to transmit and engage. He’s had some very good matches.’