Real Madrid Without Vinicius and Three Others for Sevilla Clash
Real Madrid will be without Vinicius Junior when Sevilla visit the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, with the Brazilian winger ruled out through suspension.
Jose Mourinho must also manage without Marco Asensio, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo, adding to the pressure on Madrid’s attacking options as they chase a sixth home win of the campaign.
Kylian Mbappe, Endrick, Brahim Diaz, Carlos Espi and Yan Diomande have been included among the forwards available to cover for Vinicius. Mourinho believes his squad has enough depth to refresh the side after a demanding European night.
“We have very good options if we want to make changes and bring freshness to the team,” Mourinho said.
Mourinho dismisses Vinicius scrutiny
The Madrid coach also hit back at the attention paid to Vinicius’ movements away from match action, questioning why there was such interest in the player’s routine at the club’s Valdebebas training base.
“I want to ask you a question that is even funny,” Mourinho said. “Are the people who follow you curious about what time he gets to Valdebebas? And what time he leaves?”
Vinicius comes into the suspension after a difficult midweek outing in Madrid’s comeback win over Roma. Mourinho pointed to Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s approach as a major factor in the winger’s tough evening.
“Vinicius had a very difficult match and, as I said afterwards, Gasperini was mainly responsible for that,” he said.
Mourinho was unhappy with the way Madrid conceded Roma’s second goal, particularly as the contest had appeared under control, but stressed that he had made five substitutions rather than just one.
What happens next
Madrid take on a Sevilla team that has shown it can cause problems away from home, but the hosts arrive with momentum after the dramatic Roma result.
They have won all four of their La Liga matches at the Bernabeu this season and have also recorded a European victory there. Sunday evening’s game offers Mourinho’s side the chance to preserve that perfect home record before domestic commitments resume.
