Real Madrid: "Vinicius doesn't remind me of Robinho" - Valdano
Speaking on Onda Cero, Jorge Valdano has looked back on a weekend of LaLiga action that saw Real Madrid cut Barcelona's lead to six points.
Ex-Real Madrid player, coach and sporting director Jorge Valdano looked back on the weekend's LaLiga action on Spanish radio on Sunday, discussing Los Blancos' 3-1 derby win over Atlético Madrid and, in particular, offering his thoughts on the contributions of Vinicius, Gareth Bale and Álvaro Morata.
Speaking on the Onda Cero programme 'El Transistor', Valdano also reacted to Barcelona's goalless draw at Athletic Club, which served to cut the league leaders' advantage over second-placed Madrid to six points.
Valdano on Atlético Madrid 1-3 Real Madrid and Athletic Club 0-0 Barcelona:
Real Madrid's display against Atlético: "Madrid showed real bravery and backbone in the derby."
A Madrid opening goal - scored by Casemiro from a Sergio Ramos knockdown - that brought back memories of the defender's last-gasp leveller in the 2014 Champions League final: "On the first goal, Atlético tried to get right what they had failed to get right in Lisbon: four men tried to win the aerial duel with Ramos."
Vinicius "a threat from start to finish" in derby
Vinicius coming on leaps and bounds: "He clearly has real confidence in the talent he has. He gave a performance of courage and clout. He has tremendous acceleration and, bit by bit, is showing us more and more of what he's got in his locker. He turns so adeptly [with ball at feet]. He was a threat from start to finish."
Comparisons between the 18-year-old and another winger taken from Brazil to the Bernabéu at a young age: "Vinicius doesn't remind me of Robinho at all."
Bale's goal: "He looked more at ease. He scored a fine goal: [the finish was] perfectly weighted and placed with absolute precision - he put it in the only spot it could have gone in."
Morata's disallowed goal: "It was a fantastic effort: magnificent control, great finish."
"Barcelona looked sluggish" in Bilbao
Barcelona off the pace in stalemate at San Mamés: "Barça looked to me to be operating at about 70%. They lacked clear ideas and struggled to create chances. They looked sluggish. [Goalkeeper Marc-André] Ter Stegen was the best player on the pitch: his save from [Iñaki] Williams was terrific."
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