Xabi Alonso has come to the defense of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior following a missed penalty in Real Madrid‘s commanding 4-0 victory over Valencia. The match, held at the Santiago Bernabéu, showcased a brilliant performance from Mbappé, who netted two goals, including one from the spot. However, when another penalty was awarded just before halftime, he chose to let Vinícius take the kick, which was ultimately saved by Valencia’s goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala. Despite the miss, Jude Bellingham quickly followed up with a goal to maintain Madrid’s momentum.
In the post-match press conference, Alonso praised Mbappé’s decision to allow Vinícius the chance to score. “Mbappé scored another two goals! That’s a good average. It’s another three points, and that’s a good average to fight for trophies,” he stated. This match marked a significant return for Vinícius after a controversial substitution in El Clásico against Barcelona just a week prior, where he had stormed off the pitch. Against Valencia, he displayed a more composed demeanor, shaking Alonso’s hand as he was substituted in the 79th minute.
Penalty Dynamics and Team Chemistry
Alonso elaborated on the team’s approach to penalties, noting that Mbappé is designated as the primary penalty taker. “We assign the penalty takers, and Kylian is the first taker. After that, they’re decisions,” he explained. While acknowledging that scoring penalties is crucial for team success, he downplayed the significance of the miss against Valencia. “I like them to score the penalties! It’s a good opportunity to score. Kylian scored the first; we would have liked to score the second. But it’s no big deal,” Alonso added.
Vinícius’ Redemption Arc
Vinícius had previously faced scrutiny for his reaction during last week’s El Clásico but took a step towards redemption with his performance against Valencia. He expressed regret over his earlier behavior but did not specifically mention Alonso in his apology. His ability to bounce back is vital for Madrid as they aim to maintain their position at the top of LaLiga.
As of now, Mbappé’s form remains exceptional; he has accumulated 13 goals in just 11 league matches this season and recently secured the 2024-25 European Golden Shoe for his outstanding scoring record last year. With such performances, both players are crucial as Madrid seeks further glory this season.
The question remains: can Vinícius continue to build on this positive trajectory? With upcoming fixtures on the horizon, fans will be eager to see how both he and Mbappé perform as they look to solidify their dominance in Spanish football.
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