Spanish journalist Dani Garrido believes Vinicius should not automatically return to Real Madrid’s starting XI when he is available again, after praising the understanding between Marc Cucurella and Yan Diomande on the club’s left flank.
Garrido said Diomande’s presence had given Cucurella greater freedom to contribute in attack while also easing the Spanish full-back’s defensive responsibilities.
The pair impressed during Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Racing Santander on Sunday. Yan Diomande completed the scoring after Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham had put the Spanish side in control, with all three goals coming before half-time.
Speaking on the Cadena SER programme Carrusel Deportivo, Garrido highlighted the way Diomande’s movement created better options for Cucurella on the left.
“Diomande has an excellent understanding with Cucurella. What a left side Real Madrid have when the two of them play together,” he said.
“When Vinicius plays, Cucurella is less effective going forward and struggles more defensively.”
Garrido went further by suggesting that Vinicius should have to earn his place again rather than being restored to the team immediately after his return.
“When Vinicius comes back, he should sit on the bench on a bench the size of a piano,” he said, in a humorous reference to the Brazilian winger not being guaranteed a starting position, according to Defensa Central.
The journalist argued that Jose Mourinho should retain the players who have proved effective instead of changing his team simply because a major player has returned. He said collective understanding should be a decisive factor in the manager’s selection decisions.
Garrido also praised the progress made by Real Madrid since Mourinho took charge, although he admitted he was unsure what had happened in Rome.
“I do not know what happened in Rome, but Mourinho has found a way and continued to develop it, and it can bring him good results,” he said.
He also defended Bellingham and agreed with Mourinho’s view that the England midfielder had not received enough recognition in the Ballon d’Or race.
Garrido believes Bellingham deserves to be considered among the five best players in the world when he is performing at his highest level.
