Former Real Madrid star explains Alonso’s decision to bench Vinicius – ‘He wants to have…’ | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso’s team selection so far this season has sent out several strong messages to the squad, right from the fact that hardly anyone is a guaranteed starter to the fact that rotations are the new normal.

One player who has seen regular minutes and will continue to do so inevitably is Kylian Mbappe, the team’s French winger who is stepping up massively and delivering on all the expectations placed on him at the time of his arrival.

Mbappe is now arguably the team’s most important player in attack and has overtaken Vinicius Jr as the club’s talisman. After all, the Brazilian continues to be far from his best on the field.

Mijatovic speaks

Speaking to the media in a recent interview, ex-Real Madrid player Predrag Mijatovic opened up on Real Madrid’s forward situation and how Kylian Mbappe is slowly rising while Vinicius Jr is slowly but surely sinking.

“I, honestly, am not surprised by Vinicius’ replacement, because I know a little about Xabi Alonso’s methodology and philosophy,” he began, admitting that the Brazilian being benched did not surprise him.

“He wants to have all the players very alive, with many minutes, playing almost all of them. Many have played and he will have no problem sitting anyone down,” he added, stating that Vinicius’ benching was understandable.

No longer a guaranteed starter. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

The club legend also elaborated that in the long season ahead, every player will have their chances and their days on the bench.

“Tonight it was his turn, because maybe Rodrygo is more suitable for this type of game.”

Concurrently, however, Mijatovic also admitted that Vinicius’ steep fall in prominence could indicate that he is not training with the desire and intensity that he should to command minutes.

“If for not being a starter you train badly, without desire, obviously, you are not going to play. He wouldn’t be so worried, it depends on him.”

“If he squeezes more, he will play and, if not, someone else will,” he added.

Finally, the former player gave his two cents on Kylian Mbappe and how the Frenchman has changed this season in terms of goalscoring and shouldering responsibility.

“This year I see Mbappe differently, happier and more settled. From the beginning he is playing well and scoring goals, he will surpass his figure from last year.”

“Mbappe is decisive, fast, a scorer, he wants to participate in the actions, give assists. I see he is very complete and that is very good news for Real Madrid,” he added.

Source: Defensa Central