Real Madrid fans call for Vinicius Junior to be dropped as Yann Diomande shines

Vinicius Junior’s difficult start to the season continued as Real Madrid supporters called for him to be left out of the starting line-up following another disappointing derby performance against Atletico Madrid.

The Brazil forward managed one successful dribble and two shots on target in a little over 56 minutes during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at the Metropolitano. Jose Mourinho substituted Vinicius after Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen was sent off.

According to Mundo Deportivo, his display in the derby was another underwhelming chapter in what has been a poor opening to the campaign. Vinicius has scored only once and provided three assists in eight competitive appearances, seven in La Liga and one in the UEFA Champions League.

The newspaper also reported that the 25-year-old has been booed by Real Madrid supporters in every match he has played at the Santiago Bernabeu.

More concerning for the club, Mundo Deportivo said Vinicius’ performances appeared to be declining rather than improving. Mourinho has continued to defend the player and give him opportunities to recover his best form, but Vinicius has increasingly become one of the manager’s regular substitutes.

Mourinho remains convinced by the forward, but the same cannot be said of the Real Madrid supporters. Many are calling for Vinicius to be moved to the bench immediately, while others are concerned because they do not understand what has happened to a player they expected to become the decisive figure he had been in previous seasons.

Those expectations increased after Vinicius renewed his contract, but so far he has not delivered the level of performance supporters anticipated.

By contrast, Ivorian winger Yann Diomande has improved from one match to the next and has made the most of the minutes Mourinho has given him. During the derby, he attempted six dribbles and completed four of them, while also creating a scoring opportunity during almost 43 minutes of actual playing time.

That contribution led supporters to conclude that Diomande had offered more than Vinicius in the match. Real Madrid fans are now calling for the Brazilian to be left out and for Diomande to take over as the team’s new left winger in attack.