Vinicius replaced and « completely lost »: Diomandé steals the show against Leipzig

Vinicius endured another difficult evening on Wednesday during Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League. Started due to his La Liga suspension — which will keep him out of Sunday’s Clasico — the Brazilian was the first attacking player to leave the pitch, replaced by Yan Diomandé.

Apart from two harmless long-range shots, the winger left no mark on the match. His disappointment at being substituted was visible. The situation contrasts with the previous two seasons, when he posted generally solid statistics despite recurring criticism of his effectiveness.

« Even the Vinicius we could criticize last season was incomparable to today. Now he is completely lost. He is at a level far below what we expect and it is normal for Mourinho to make this kind of decision, » summarized Edgar Groleau, correspondent in Madrid.

Where Vinicius faltered, Diomandé seized his chance. The Ivorian international, brought on as his replacement, capped off the evening by scoring Real Madrid’s fourth goal late in the match. A strong signal in a club where, as José Mourinho reminded everyone, nobody is « untouchable ».

Vinicius’s poor form comes at a delicate moment: absent from the Clasico this Sunday due to his suspension, he must quickly regain his level to avoid his starting position being permanently questioned.