Real Madrid, author of a success (1-0) against Juventus in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup in the United States, saw Vinicius Jr standing out for surprising action. In the 18th minute, after a loss of ball in his left corridor, the Brazilian winger threw himself on the opposing defender, physically blocking him to prevent rapid recovery. A gesture deemed irregular – compared to a “wrestling” or a “wrestling figure” – but high enough on the ground to escape a yellow card.
This attitude, although Borderline, is part of the new philosophy advocated by Xabi Alonso: intense pressing and defensive efforts even on the part of the attackers. The Madrid coach demands that his players “work hard, press and use the central defenders”, and Vinicius put him into practice, without immediate disciplinary consequences.
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