Real Madrid went to Levante for a tricky match last weekend. Carlo Ancelotti decided to stick with the attacking trio of Bale-Benzema-Hazard from the opening matchday. The only change in the starting lineup was Isco in place of Luka Modric due to his unavailability.
Brazilian teenager Vinicius Jr was on the bench for the second straight game. He did come on against Alaves and scored his team’s fourth goal. But Ancelotti went with the experienced trio of BBH.
Real Madrid were in total control in the first half as Alaba lofted a perfect through ball for Benzema who then set up the goal for Bale, as the Welshman scored his first goal for Madrid over years.
However, things took an unexpected turn as Levante scored the equalizer just a few seconds after the second half started. The home side took a 2-1 lead through Campana’s beautiful strike. This goal required a reaction from Ancelotti and he brought in the Brazilian duo of Vinicius and Rodrygo along with Asensio, who was deployed in the midfield role for the first time in his career.
Vinícius Júnior PACE 🏎
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 22, 2021
He ties it for Madrid! pic.twitter.com/jvYIJJwxo1
Casemiro found Vinicius through on goal and the 21-year-old showed composure as he calmly put the ball into the net past the goalkeeper, which is often missing from his wide range of skills. Over the last years, everyone wanted him to start finishing the chances as creating the chances were never a problem for him. His decision making was questioned as he used to take wrong decisions at the wrong time.
But, that is not the case this season. After Levante somehow scored the third goal, Vinicius attempted a quirky chip that curled into the net after hitting the far post. Earlier, in this exact same situation, Vinicius would have either shot wide or have given a terrible cross. But this time, we are seeing a new Vinicius Junior, who has improved his finishing by leaps and bounds.
Vinicius was again through on goal, found by Rodrygo. But Levante goalkeeper handled the ball around the halfway line denying a hattrick for the Brazilian.
2 – Vinícius Júnior 🇧🇷 is the first substitute to score a brace for @realmadriden in @LaLigaEN since Chicharito against Deportivo in September 2014 and the first Brazilian to do so in the competition since Neymar Jr. against Athletic, also in September 2014. Heroic. pic.twitter.com/0eUZAPAC19
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) August 22, 2021
The Brazilian now has 3 goals in 2 matches which is more than expected from him. He was already excellent in 1v1 situations and is agile and has very good dribbling skills. The only thing missing was his final product, which now seems to have been corrected.
Vinicius Jr is finally on the rise at Real Madrid as he now plans to carve his name in history.
