Real before “big champions night”
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Real Madrid’s star striker Vinicius Junior is confident of victory ahead of the Champions League clash against FC Bayern. “I think it will be a nice final phase of the season for us,” said the Brazilian before the quarter-final first leg on Tuesday (9 p.m./Prime Video) in Madrid’s Bernabéu Stadium – smiling and with a firm voice.
Coach Álvaro Arbeloa also exuded confidence. He assured that elimination would not be an issue for him and his protégés. “We’re not thinking about being eliminated in this round. I understand that you (journalists; editor) are going through all the scenarios, but for us there is only one goal: to beat Bayern. That’s what we’re concentrating on and that’s what we believe in.” On Tuesday they want to give themselves and the fans “a big champions night”.
The Spanish record champions around Vinicius Junior, French striker Kylian Mbappé and German national defender Antonio Rüdiger have “the best players in the world,” emphasized the coach. That’s why they want to be “the best team in the world”. All you have to do is put your individual talent at the service of the team. The Royals already have the most valuable squad in the world with a valuation of 1.34 billion euros – Manchester City (1.31 billion euros) and Arsenal FC (1.23 billion euros) follow in second and third place.
Real fans “change the dynamics of games at home”
Vinicius Junior relies on the special atmosphere at the Bernabéu: “The connection between players and fans definitely plays a big role for us. It changes the dynamics of the games at home, especially in the Champions League.” The 1:2 defeat in the league at the dress rehearsal at RCD Mallorca does not diminish the 25-year-old’s expectations. “There are days when we are less focused. That happened to us in Mallorca,” explained the Brazilian.
The possible failure of Bayern striker Harry Kane was also the topic of the press conference. When asked if that was an advantage, Vinicius Junior replied: “A lot changes without Kane because he scores a lot of goals. But they (Bayern) have a great team with players who constantly change positions. Whoever plays, it will be very difficult and we have to be ready.”
Arbeloa, who has only been in charge since Xabi Alonso was fired in Madrid in January, said of the opponent: “Bayern is a perfectly coordinated team that immediately shows its signature: aggressive in defense, compact in defense and attacking from the outside with technically strong players.”
Vinicius Junior about his future at Real and his connection to the coach
Vinicius Junior is the second most valuable Real professional behind Mbappé (200 million euros) with a market value of 150 million euros. So far he has collected 123 goals and 96 assists in 366 appearances for the Madrilenians. The attacker would like to continue this even after his contract ends in 2027: “Hopefully I will stay for many more years. We all know what we want and we will extend it at the right time. I am completely calm because I have the president’s trust. I am happy here and would like to stay for many more years.”
He’s doing very well at the moment, says Vinicius Junior: “I had difficult times when the fans booed me. Playing with the national team is more complicated, but I’m working hard with the club and at home to be 100 percent ready to help the team.” Under Arbeloa’s predecessor, the former Leverkusen double-winning coach Alonso, things weren’t going well for him until his resignation. Vinicius Junior emphasized that he always gave everything for the team: “I don’t think I’ve ever gone so long without scoring goals as in my youth, when I lacked concentration. But I’ve learned from this difficult phase, and good players always manage to turn things around.”
In the current season, Vinicius Junior has netted 17 times, most recently twice in the 3-2 win against city rivals Atlético. However, from the 9th to the 21st matchday he remained goalless. “My time with Xabi Alonso was a learning experience; I grew as a person. I couldn’t connect with him, but I have a great connection with Arbeloa and he gave me a lot of confidence, just like Ancelotti.”
When the Brazilian was taken down by coach Alonso in the 72nd minute of the 2-1 Clásico win against FC Barcelona on October 26th, he raged on and off the pitch. He then issued a public apology. “Later, with a clear head, you understand that you made a mistake. I’m young, and every day is a new experience that you can improve on,” said Vinicius Junior today.
