AEK Athens 2-3 Real Madrid: Struggling Vinicius Junior puts in another alarming performance for Los Blancos

By Matt Law | 04 Nov 2026 21:07, Last updated: 04 Nov 2026 21:09

Real Madrid caput manager Jose Mourinho said that helium was pleased with Vinicius Junior's show successful Wednesday's 3-2 triumph implicit AEK Athens successful the Champions League.

Vinicius has not played successful La Liga for astir a month, having been sent disconnected successful the team's contention with Villarreal astatine Bernabeu connected October 10.

The Brazil planetary was again absent against Racing de Santander connected Sunday, but helium was brought backmost into the XI against AEK successful the league signifier of the Champions League.

Vinicius again recovered it hard to marque his people and was replaced successful the 81st infinitesimal of the contest, 3 minutes aft Kylian Mbappe had made it 2-2.

Mourinho praised Vinicius aft the match, telling reporters: "Vinicius Junior did precise well, from my constituent of view, helium enactment successful a bully performance. Later, of course, I preferred to inject caller humor into the flanks by making 2 substitutions."

Vinicius again struggled for Real Madrid against AEK Athens

However, the numbers down Vinicius' show overgarment a antithetic picture.

According to Sofascore, Vinicius mislaid possession connected 11 occasions, portion helium lone had 48 touches during his clip connected the tract against the Greek club.

Vinicius managed 3 shots but was incapable to deed the target, portion lone 1 of his 3 crosses successful the Champions League fixture was accurate.

The antiaircraft numbers down Vinicius' show are besides alarming, having failed to supply a azygous antiaircraft contribution, portion helium was dribbled past doubly and lone managed to triumph 2 his 7 crushed duels against AEK.

Vinicius has lone scored erstwhile for Real Madrid this season

Vinicius has scored conscionable erstwhile successful 12 appearances for Real Madrid this season, successful summation to coming up with 3 assists.

There had been a big of speculation surrounding Vinicius' aboriginal implicit the summer, with Arsenal making a beardown play to motion the 26-year-old.

However, Vinicius yet signed a caller semipermanent declaration astatine Bernabeu.

The guardant has scored 129 goals and registered 103 assists successful 387 matches for Real Madrid during a highly-successful period, but determination is nary question that the South American is presently struggling for signifier astatine Bernabeu.