Vinicius saw red, Real Madrid still won 1–0
Three points, and a problem. Real Madrid 1–0 Villarreal on Saturday, but Vinicius Junior was sent off, the third direct red card of his Real Madrid career (1). He came on from the bench and left early. Afterwards he said sorry: "A alegria continua. Peço perdão à minha equipa e à torcida (do Real Madrid)" (1). The referee, Isidro Díaz de Mera, wrote that Vinicius "protestou ruidosamente" and showed an "atitude agressiva" (1). That report is what could stretch the ban.
Third red in 384 games for Vinicius
No one else in this squad gets booked like him. Three direct reds and 73 yellows in 384 official matches for Real Madrid (1). The club's own record says he is a player who plays on the edge, and it keeps costing you games with him in the stands (1)(2).
Bellingham had his back
One line, and it said enough. Bellingham posted on Vinicius: "Sempre ao seu lado" (1). The dressing room closed ranks around him instead of piling on (1).
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Mourinho said nothing, and that said plenty
José Mourinho skipped his press conference and dodged every question about the refereeing (1). The silence is louder than a defence would have been, with Madrid already aggrieved about the Vinicius red (1)(7).
Not everyone is defending him
Spanish media are pointing the finger at the club, not the referee. one outlet argues Madrid "feeds" Vinicius' behaviour instead of fixing it, and that the club's fixation on officials is hurting him (2). The red against Villarreal was, in their word, "clamorosa" (2).
Back to work, Roma is next
No rest. Mourinho's squad returned to training on Monday morning at 10.30, straight into Champions League preparation (3). The trip is Wed, Oct 14 at 21:00 CEST, away at AS Roma in the Champions League (3). Sevilla at home follows on Sun, Oct 18.
Güler tied down until 2032
Madrid have locked in Arda Güler. The 21-year-old midfielder has agreed an extension running to June 2032, previously contracted to 2029 (5). Fenerbahçe's old prospect is now part of the long-term plan (5).
Madrid and Barça watching Gilberto Mora
Watch this one. Real Madrid and Barcelona are both tracking Gilberto Mora, the 17-year-old attacking midfielder at Club Tijuana and a Mexico international (4). Nothing signed, but Madrid are in the race (4).
Where the table sits
Eight played, 18 points, fourth in La Liga, goal difference +11. Form over the last five: W W W L W. A 2–1 home win over Internazionale and a 3–2 win at Elche sit either side of that 2–1 loss at Atlético Madrid. Betis have now climbed above you (8), so the top four is not a cushion right now.
What Ronaldo nearly did in 2018
Patrice Evra says Cristiano Ronaldo wanted PSG before he went to Juventus. "Il avait Chelsea, la Juventus et Paris. Il a dit qu'il n'irait jamais à Arsenal. Et il était intéressé par le projet parisien" (6). Ronaldo left Madrid in May 2018 after a fifth Champions League (6).
Fan reactions
The red card is the whole conversation. Vinicius has shared an Instagram compilation of what he calls his "unfair" bookings, calling Spanish referees a "mafia", and the fanbase is split between backing him and worrying he keeps putting himself in this spot. On a lighter note, one Madridista is showing off a new wall mount for a Lego Bernabéu. Thread
