Overview

• Following a 2-0 win over Espanyol, Xabi Alonso called Vinícius Júnior’s visible frustration at a 77th-minute substitution normal and said he wanted fresh legs on the flank given the demanding schedule.
• Real Madrid are five wins from five in LaLiga and top the table, with Jude Bellingham making his first appearance of the season as a late substitute.
• Alonso reiterated that “there are many important players,” signaling no special treatment for stars and noting he worked individually with Vinícius on finishing drills.
• Vinícius has been left out of the starting XI twice in six games this season, including the home Champions League opener against Marseille, only his second such omission at the Bernabéu in Europe since 2019.
• Rodrygo has been preferred on the left in select matches and impressed against Marseille by winning the penalty for the equaliser, while ESPN reported that Vinícius’ contract talks are currently on hold with his deal running to 2027.