Vinicius failing to convince Zinedine Zidane
The Brazilian winger has only been involved in 118 minutes of the possible 270 in the opening games of the 2019-20 LaLiga campaign.
Brazilian striker Vinicius Jr. has featured in 118 minutes of LaLiga action in Real Madrid's opening three games of the 2019-20 season. He started the opener in Balaídos against Celta and played for 69 minutes. He came on from the bench in the 1-1 draw at home to Valladolid and played for 33 minutes. In Sunday's draw 2-2 with Villarreal the Brazilian featured for just 16 minutes, again coming off the bench.
With Hazard, Asensio, James, Brahim, Isco and Rodrygo all missing through injury, Sunday's game at the Estadio de la Cerámica presented itself as the ideal time for the Brazilian to start and impress the French coach who ultimately opted to start with Lucas Vázquez as part of a 1-4-4-2 system.
Double B
Zidane seems to have decided that the tandem of Benzema and Bale will lead the line for the side with both Hazard and James expected to be fit again for the next league action at the Bernabeu on September 14th against Levante. The slow return of the previous injured players will possibly see the Brazilian slip further down the pecking order for the French coach.
Argentine coach Santiago Solari was instrumental in promoting Vinicius from the Castilla side last season with the player's injury in the Champions League tie against Ajax coming at an unfortunate time with Solari's subsequent dismissal and injury recovery time saw the former Flamengo player having to edge his way back into the first team then under Zizou.
It has to be remembered that Vinicius is just 19 years old and is still maturing as a player in the highly competitive Spanish league. His call up for the Brazilian national team where he is expected to earn his first full international cap is anticipated to give the player a brief re-boot as his work starts in earnest upon return to impress Zidane and endeavour to install himself as a regular starter in the Real Madrid XI.