Vinicius under renewed scrutiny after Real Madrid derby defeat by Atletico

Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby has intensified criticism of Vinicius Junior, with the Brazilian accused of failing to influence a match in which his side collapsed after conceding a penalty and losing Dean Huijsen to a red card early in the second half.

A report published on Sunday by Mundo Deportivo said Real Madrid failed to produce a performance worthy of the occasion, despite having the same number of players as Atletico for much of the contest.

The decisive moment came when Grimaldo converted a penalty, after which Real Madrid offered little resistance. The report described the team as having lost its football, character, fighting spirit and, following Huijsen’s dismissal, its numerical strength.

At the Metropolitano, Real Madrid’s attacking trio of Vinicius, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham failed to make an impression. The three were described as isolated from the rest of the side, unable to contribute when possession was lost and posing no serious attacking threat.

Their performance was portrayed as a symbol of a disappointing derby, with the trio unable to produce the influence or quality expected from Real Madrid’s leading attacking players.

For Vinicius in particular, the display added to a prolonged decline. The Brazilian has not looked like the player who dazzled between 2021 and 2024, when he established himself as one of Real Madrid’s principal attacking figures.

The report said the downturn had continued for several months and that the rebellious, unconventional personality which once defined him had disappeared. Vinicius, it added, no longer protests, confronts opponents or challenges the supporters of rival teams in the way he once did.

Mourinho has continued to favour the number seven despite knowing that Vinicius remains some way short of his best form. However, the reasons for maintaining that faith are becoming harder to justify, according to the report.

Vinicius is not creating chances, applying pressure to opponents or improving the performances of those around him, it said.

After Huijsen’s dismissal, Mourinho was left with little option but to sacrifice Vinicius and Arda Guler while keeping Mbappe and Bellingham on the pitch in an attempt to reorganise the team.

Playing with 10 men, Real Madrid were portrayed as being at Atletico’s mercy, with the home side benefiting from the lack of resistance. Atletico were able to control the contest after the penalty and red card had shifted the balance firmly in their favour.

The six-point gap separating Real Madrid from Barcelona is not the club’s main concern under Mourinho, the report concluded. Instead, the derby exposed, one issue after another, the fundamental weaknesses that have troubled the team in recent seasons.