The Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior, after Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over RB Salzburg in the Club World Cup, described his backheel assist for Federico Valverde as “one of the best of my career”. The merengue player opened the scoring in the 40th minute at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, and then assisted Valverde for the 2-0 before halftime. Gonzalo García scored the third goal in the 84th minute, his second goal in three matches, thus ensuring that Madrid would lead Group H and advance to the round of 16, where they will face Juventus on Tuesday.
Vinícius, named Most Valuable Player of the match, praised the impact of coach Xabi Alonso in the post-match press conference. The player highlighted the team’s good form and adaptation to the coach’s ideas. “It’s been a very good two weeks. We are gaining confidence and trying to understand as quickly as possible what the boss wants. I have to play a little more inside, and I’ve always liked that, I’m closer to the goal,” he stated. Vinícius’s heel assist generated comparisons with Real Madrid legend Guti, who made a similar assist in a match against Deportivo La Coruña.I am very happy with the assistance, I think it’s one of the best I’ve had in my career.
Vinícius Júnior
Alonso was also satisfied with Vinícius’ contribution without the ball.Vini’s was very good, but I was on the field for Guti’s, and it was crazy. So I’ll stick with that one. But Vini’s was almost, almost the same.
Xabi Alonso
Madrid used a new formation against Salzburg, with three central defenders, a style that Alonso often favored with Bayer Leverkusen. Alonso commented that the system change “was always there, in my head”.Vini played a great game, but not just the goal and the assist, I focus on his sacrifice, his defensive commitment. It allowed us to be very compact with and without the ball, and then in attack to have a little more freedom.
Xabi Alonso
Alonso also had positive words for García, 21, who has impressed in attack in the absence of Kylian Mbappé, still recovering from gastroenteritis.The players have the intelligence and football culture to know why we use it and the positive things we get from it. In the first part we had a lot of stability and maturity.
Xabi Alonso
[García] is a typical number nine, he reminds me of [Raúl]. He’s always in the right position, always waiting for the opportunity, and has a great work ethic.
Xabi Alonso
