Brilliant in spurts, overshadowed in impact – Real Madrid’s best play vs Villarreal came without their star | OneFootball

Real Madrid secured a hard-fought victory against Villarreal, but one of the biggest talking points was Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to leave Vinicius Jr. on the bench.

After an exhausting 115-minute performance in the Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid, the Brazilian was given a much-needed rest.

In his absence, Brahim Diaz stepped in, and the team displayed a more structured and collective approach, both with and without the ball.

The opening moments of the match saw Madrid struggle to gain control, still feeling the effects of fatigue. Villarreal capitalised on this early on, taking a 1-0 lead.

However, once Los Blancos found their rhythm, they turned the game around in spectacular fashion within just seven minutes. There were no signs of individualism disrupting the team’s cohesion, nor did anyone neglect their defensive duties.

The attacking trio of Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Brahim worked in perfect harmony, supported by an energetic midfield and disciplined full-backs.

This allowed Mbappe more freedom in the final third, and he made the most of it, scoring twice in quick succession to turn the scoreline in Madrid’s favour. His finishing proved decisive, securing three crucial points for the team.

Then Vinicius came

Vinicius Jr. failed to make an impact vs Villarreal. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Vinicius was introduced in the 60th minute, bringing fresh energy at a time when the intensity of the match had taken its toll on both sides. Villarreal pushed forward relentlessly, forcing Madrid to remain alert.

The Brazilian’s introduction added another dimension to Madrid’s attack, as his pace and dribbling unsettled the opposition.

While Vinicius brought unpredictability, his decision-making in the final third left much to be desired.

There were moments of brilliance, but his passing lacked precision, and his link-up play with Mbappe and Jude Bellingham was not as sharp as expected.

As a result, Madrid’s attacking fluency diminished, and the team had to rely on defensive solidity and Courtois’ interventions to see out the win.

Ultimately, Real Madrid got the job done, with Mbappe once again proving to be the difference-maker.

The team’s collective effort was evident throughout, and despite some inconsistencies in the latter stages, the victory highlighted Madrid’s ability to adapt and grind out results when necessary.