When Xabi Alonso yelled at Vinicius

The 5-1 victory against Betis on January 4th seemed like just another easy evening for Real Madrid.

Vinicius is no longer an untouchable star at Real Madrid.

But amidst that goalfest, a small moment on the touchline revealed a bigger story: Xabi Alonso's public outcry toward Vinicius Junior.

In the 67th minute, the score was 3-1, the game was under control. But Xabi Alonso was not satisfied. He jumped up, shouted loudly, and gestured repeatedly towards Vinicius: don't stand still, put pressure on them.

That wasn't a spontaneous reaction. It was a matter of principle. For Xabi Alonso, pressing wasn't a secondary detail, but the foundation for Real Madrid to control the game, even when leading.

Vinicius, at that time, wasn't playing badly. He was still creating chances, still making those familiar bursts of speed. But what Xabi Alonso saw was a lull in intensity.

When Betis built up play from the back, Vinicius didn't press aggressively enough. For many other coaches, that might be an overlooked detail. But not for Xabi Alonso.

This is the biggest difference in Real Madrid under Alonso. There's no longer a "privilege" for the star player in off-ball moments. There's no longer a safe zone for attacking players just waiting for the decisive moment. Pressing is a collective responsibility, and Vinicius is no exception.

Images of Xabi Alonso yelling at Vinicius spread very quickly.

The image of Xabi Alonso yelling at Vinicius spread very quickly. It was easily misinterpreted as a conflict.

But 10 minutes later, when Vinicius left the field to make way for Güler and Mastantuono, the calm handshake between the two said it all. There was no personal conflict. Only a straightforward professional message was conveyed.

Xabi Alonso isn't trying to make Vinicius "better behaved." He's forcing Vinicius to mature within a highly disciplined system. At Real Madrid, talent is a necessary condition. But under Alonso, intensity and responsibility are the sufficient conditions.

That moment on the touchline was therefore not a blemish. It was a milestone. Real Madrid is entering a phase where even the biggest stars must meet a common standard. And Vinicius, if he wants to become a true leader, will have to learn to press as part of his identity, not just as a duty.

Source: https://znews.vn/khi-xabi-alonso-quat-vinicius-post1617066.html