Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has defended Vinicius Junior following his side’s 3-0 pre-season defeat to Barcelona.
Vinicius was again playing in a new experimental role as a central striker alongside Rodrygo rather than as a left winger, and the Brazil superstar missed a number of chances, including a penalty.
Ancelotti has defended the 23-year-old’s display despite the defeat, claiming that his movement meant he got into dangerous areas to attack the opposition box.
The Italian also defended the penalty miss, which saw him rattle the crossbar with his effort, and Vinicius is expected to take the penalty duties next season following the departure of Karim Benzema.
“Vinicius was very dangerous and was centimetres from scoring. He was a positive star of the game, even without scoring,” he stated.
“Modric wasn’t on the pitch, and he usually took penalties if [Karim] Benzema wasn’t there. It could be Modric, it could be Vinicius, it could be Rodrygo. We’re looking at that.”
Will Vinicius succeed in his new role?
Ancelotti seems set on trying this new system, which will see Jude Bellingham at the tip of a diamond midfield behind Vinicius and Rodrygo.
This appears to be the plan to replace Benzema’s output unless Kylian Mbappe arrives this summer, and it will see Vinicius take on a different role. So far he has succeeded as a winger on the left touchline who can cut in on his right foot. Now he will start more centrally with the ability to drift wide, but he could find himself on the end of more chances.
He scored 23 and assisted 21 times last season from the left, and Ancelotti is anticipating that by being closer to the goal, he will further increase this to make up for the loss of Benzema.
He showed against Barcelona that he has the intelligence and skill to play the role, but it may take some more time for him to fully adjust to the change in system.