Real Madrid roll out "Vinicius plan" for Segunda B away days
After the 18-year-old's tough introduction to lower league football against Atlético B, the club will not name him in the squad for away games.
Real Madrid’s plan to ease Vinicius Junior into life in the Spanish capital started in earnest when Castilla travelled to Unión Adarve on Sunday for their Segunda B Group I fixture.
The club is determined to protect their 45-million-euro asset from the rigours of lower division football and will only name Vinicius in the squad for home matches. The 18-year-old was subjected to some rough treatment during the derby against Atlético B – including the dental attention of Tachi – and Real are keen to ensure that nothing befalls him on away trips with the reserve side.
Vinicius being prepared for first-team action under Lopetegui
The fact that Unión Adarve’s pitch is artificial also played a part in Madrid’s decision with Julen Lopetegui expected to ease the Brazilian into his first team squad over the coming months.
However, the absence of Vinicius was a blow to Real’s Madrid-based opposition, who operate on a budget worth a fraction of the 18-year-old’s transfer fee from Flamengo. Unión Adarve have just 300 season-ticket holders and a stadium with a capacity of 1,000 spectators, which they hoped to fill for the game. As club president Luis Gómez explained before the fixture, tickets for the game were being sold for 15 euros, which would provide Adarve with a significant payday given that they have the cheapest season tickets in the division at 50 euros each.
