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Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Vinicius Junior ‘talk’ will happen ‘when the time comes’, Alonso says after La Liga El Clasico win

Real Madrid beat Barcelona in El Clasico

Written by Ben Miller
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Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Vinicius Junior ‘talk’ will happen ‘when the time comes’, Alonso says after La Liga El Clasico win

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso says he will not “lose sight of what’s important” and praised Vinicius Junior despite the forward’s fiery reaction to being substituted during the La Liga win over Barcelona.

Brazil international Vinicius Junior was clearly angry when Rodrygo replaced him in the 72nd minute of the 2-1 home win at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, where Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham scored during the first half either side of Fermin Lopez’s reply.

“Now we’ll enjoy [the win],” said Alonso, who won his first Clasico as Madrid coach. “When the time comes, we’ll talk about these things in the dressing room, of course.”

Madrid vs Barcelona: Vinicius Junior praise

Vinicius Junior produced five goals and four assists in seven matches between August 24 and October 4 but did not start for the first time in almost two months as Madrid won 1-0 at Getafe last Sunday.

“He contributed a lot,” Alonso said of the 25-year-old’s performance against Barca, which moved Los Blancos five points clear of their second-placed opponents after 10 league games.

“All coaches know that there are different personalities. I’m taking away a lot of positives from Vini Junior’s performance and I don’t want to lose sight of what’s important.

“It’s an important, deserved victory that could have been wider given the chances we had and the [overturned] penalty [for Madrid after two minutes].

“Regaining the feeling of being a competitive team in big games is important.”

Alonso: Clasico ‘clashes have always happened’

Alonso was not concerned by an altercation between players on the pitch after full time of a game that culminated in Barca’s Pedri being sent off.

“These clashes have always happened and are a consequence of the desire to win,” suggested Alonso. “There’s no need to be alarmed by a clash that is healthy, respectful and good-natured.

“It was the tension of an important match and a close result. We didn’t concede too many chances and I see it as perfectly normal.

“We shouldn’t read too much into these moments of tension. All sorts of things have happened in Clasicos.

“Before the game, we talked about how important it was not only to get the three points, but also to see where we were coming from and what we wanted to be.”

Real Madrid: Bernabeu fans ‘fundamental’

“I’m very happy for the lads because they needed the feeling of winning a big game like this Clasico,” added Alonso. “The motivation was total.

“It’s not just the three points, it’s a victory with added significance. Even so, it’s early days and we have a lot of work to do.

“We wanted to feel good and that’s how it turned out. For the future, we need the same feelings we had today.

“We had a lot of players back for this match and countered our opponents really well. The team was very solid defensively, although [Barcelona’s] goal came from us losing the ball.

“We created a lot of chances up front. The team’s energy, conviction and competitiveness were important.

“We’re leaving the stadium very happy and I saw the lads and the fans enjoying themselves. There was a very good connection and it was important for the fans to see their team compete and win in a big game.

“They enjoyed everything and that’s what we need. This project is just getting started, but the connection with the Bernabeu is fundamental and I noticed it today.”

Real Madrid team vs Barcelona

Alonso made two changes to his starting side from the 1-0 win over Juventus in the Champions League four days earlier.

Dean Huijsen returned from injury and replaced Raul Asencio in central defence, while Eduardo Camavinga was preferred to Brahim Diaz in midfield.

Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold were named on the bench.

Real Madrid starting XI: Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde, Eder Militao, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid substitutes: Andrii Lunin, Dani Carvajal, Endrick, Rodrygo, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Gonzalo Garcia, Raul Asencio, Dani Ceballos, Fran Garcia, Brahim Diaz, Ferland Mendy, Franco Mastantuono

Barcelona team vs Real Madrid

Barcelona and Brazil forward Raphinha suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring problem, so Marcus Rashford switched to the left flank and Ferran Torres came in up front.

Jules Kounde and Frenkie de Jong had been doubts but were both fit, while Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, Joan Garcia and Marc-Andre ter Stegen were injured.

Barcelona starting XI: Wojciech Szczesny, Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Alejandro Balde, Lamine Yamal, Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez, Pedri, Marcus Rashford, Ferran Torres

Barcelona substitutes: Diego Kochen, Ronald Araujo, Marc Casado, Gerard Martin, Marc Bernal, Jofre Torrents, Dro Fernandez, Roony Bardghji, Toni Fernandez, Eder Aller, Xavi Espart

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