Latest news with #ViniciusJunior
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Three things for Xabi Alonso to ponder at Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso will have a handful of things to think about in his first weeks and months as Real Madrid coach (Pau BARRENA) Xabi Alonso is returning to Real Madrid with the former midfielder taking over as coach from Carlo Ancelotti and leading the team at the upcoming Club World Cup. AFP Sport looks at three areas the 43-year-old Spaniard will have to think about in the weeks and months ahead as he tries to plot a course back towards major trophies, with Los Blancos ending this season empty-handed. Advertisement Restore the balance Alonso's predecessor Ancelotti spent much of the last season complaining his team was unbalanced and also lacked "collective commitment". In short, the squad had too many attackers he felt he had to cram onto the field, while injuries left the defence in tatters and Madrid did not sign someone to replace midfielder Toni Kroos, who retired last summer. French superstar Kylian Mbappe's arrival at the end of his Paris Saint-Germain contract in 2024 was the big change for a Madrid side that won a Champions League and La Liga double. For a while he and Vinicius Junior struggled to play together, occupying the same spaces, and even though Mbappe grew comfortable down the middle, netting 43 goals across all competitions, their dual presence cost Madrid defensively. Advertisement Alonso has to work out a way for the pair to work in tandem while still pressing effectively and making sure Madrid are not outnumbered when on the back foot. Veteran midfielder Luka Modric's departure after the Club World Cup means Alonso will be losing yet more poise, technique and wisdom from the midfield. The former Bayer Leverkusen coach has largely used a 3-4-3 formation which could suit Madrid's squad, particularly with the expected arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool and a deal already done for Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen. Handle the superstars If there was one particular task Ancelotti excelled at, it was keeping a dressing room full of big names and big egos happy. Advertisement Ancelotti managed to get the best out of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale in his first spell at the Santiago Bernabeu and then helped turn Vinicius into a superstar in his second. The Italian coach would sometimes baulk at suggestions he was a good man manager but not a tactical mastermind, but it should not be underestimated how important it is to keep people onside at Madrid. That includes president Florentino Perez, the star players, and even the media, all of whom Ancelotti handled supremely well. Alonso has an aura about him which could help in the same way it did for Zinedine Zidane, another former Madrid player who thrived at the helm. Advertisement Stopping rampant Barca One of the nails in Ancelotti's coffin at Madrid was the way his team collapsed against their arch-rivals in all four Clasicos this season. Barcelona romped to a 4-0 win in La Liga in October to embarrass Madrid on home soil and lay down a marker of how the season was going to go. Their 4-3 victory in the return league match was what effectively dethroned Madrid and took the Spanish crown back to Catalonia -- and the score could have been wider without being unfair to Los Blancos. Barcelona also beat Real Madrid 3-2 in the Copa del Rey final and 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final as they completed a domestic treble and left Madrid reeling. Advertisement Ancelotti's side could not cope with Hansi Flick's high defensive line and relentless pressing, and Alonso will already be studying the German's set-up to make sure Madrid fare far better next season in the crunch clashes. rbs/nf
Free Malaysia Today
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
3 things for Xabi Alonso to ponder at Real Madrid
The former Bayer Leverkusen coach's 3-4-3 formation could suit Real Madrid, especially with Trent Alexander-Arnold joining from Liverpool. (EPA Images pic) MADRID : Xabi Alonso is returning to Real Madrid with the former midfielder taking over as coach from Carlo Ancelotti and leading the team at the upcoming Club World Cup. AFP Sport looks at three areas the 43-year-old Spaniard will have to think about in the weeks and months ahead as he tries to plot a course back towards major trophies, with Los Blancos ending this season empty-handed. Alonso's predecessor Ancelotti spent much of the last season complaining his team was unbalanced and also lacked 'collective commitment'. In short, the squad had too many attackers he felt he had to cram onto the field, while injuries left the defence in tatters and Madrid did not sign someone to replace midfielder Toni Kroos, who retired last summer. French superstar Kylian Mbappe's arrival at the end of his Paris St-Germain contract in 2024 was the big change for a Madrid side that won a Champions League and La Liga double. For a while he and Vinicius Junior struggled to play together, occupying the same spaces, and even though Mbappe grew comfortable down the middle, netting 43 goals across all competitions, their dual presence cost Madrid defensively. Alonso has to work out a way for the pair to work in tandem while still pressing effectively and making sure Madrid are not outnumbered when on the back foot. Veteran midfielder Luka Modric's departure after the Club World Cup means Alonso will be losing yet more poise, technique and wisdom from the midfield. The former Bayer Leverkusen coach has largely used a 3-4-3 formation which could suit Madrid's squad, particularly with the expected arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool and a deal already done for Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen. If there was one particular task Ancelotti excelled at, it was keeping a dressing room full of big names and big egos happy. Ancelotti managed to get the best out of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale in his first spell at the Santiago Bernabeu and then helped turn Vinicius into a superstar in his second. The Italian coach would sometimes baulk at suggestions he was a good man manager but not a tactical mastermind, but it should not be underestimated how important it is to keep people onside at Madrid. That includes president Florentino Perez, the star players, and even the media, all of whom Ancelotti handled supremely well. Alonso has an aura about him which could help in the same way it did for Zinedine Zidane, another former Madrid player who thrived at the helm. One of the nails in Ancelotti's coffin at Madrid was the way his team collapsed against their arch-rivals in all four Clasicos this season. Barcelona romped to a 4-0 win in La Liga in October to embarrass Madrid on home soil and lay down a marker of how the season was going to go. Their 4-3 victory in the return league match was what effectively dethroned Madrid and took the Spanish crown back to Catalonia – and the score could have been wider without being unfair to Los Blancos. Barcelona also beat Real Madrid 3-2 in the Copa del Rey final and 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final as they completed a domestic treble and left Madrid reeling. Ancelotti's side could not cope with Hansi Flick's high defensive line and relentless pressing, and Alonso will already be studying the German's set-up to make sure Madrid fare far better next season in the crunch clashes. Witness football history in Malaysia as Manchester United take on the Asean All-Stars – it's the clash you can't afford to miss. Book your seat now at before they're gone!
CNN
22-05-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Fans who insulted Vinícius Júnior found guilty in 1st hate-crime conviction related to racism in Spain
Five Valladolid fans who racially insulted Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior in 2022 have been found guilty in the first ruling in Spain that condemns racist insults in a soccer stadium as a hate crime, the league said Wednesday. A Valladolid court convicted the fans for their insults in a league match, sentencing them to one year in prison plus a fine of up to 1,620 euros ($1,837). The jail time is suspended on condition they don't commit any offense or visit soccer stadiums hosting official national competitions for three years. The league called Wednesday's ruling 'a firm step towards eradicating racism in sport.' 'This judicial decision represents an unprecedented milestone in the fight against racism in sport in Spain,' the league said. A lot of people thought that Real Madrid's Brazilian star Vinicius Junior was going to win the Ballon D'Or award this week, and the reaction when he didn't was angry. TNT Sports Brazil correspondent Fred Caldeira joins World Sport's Don Riddell to help better understand the backlash. Last year, three Valencia fans were handed eight-month prison sentences after pleading guilty to racially insulting Vinícius. That was the first conviction for racism-related cases in professional soccer in Spain, but it was not based on a hate crime. The Valencia fans were convicted of a crime against moral integrity, with the aggravating circumstance of discrimination based on racist motives. 'The fact that this ruling explicitly refers to hate crimes associated with racist insults reinforces the message that intolerance has no place in football,' the league said. The league first filed the complaint against the Valladolid fans. It was later joined in the case by the player, Real Madrid, and the public prosecutor's office.
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Five guilty of racist Vinicius abuse: LaLiga
Vinicius Junior scored Real Madrid's second goal as they beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to win the Champions League. Photo: AFP Five people were handed prison sentences for racially abusing Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr during a match in a landmark first ruling in Spain that condemned racist insults in a soccer stadium as a hate crime, LaLiga said on Wednesday. In December 2022, Brazil international Vinicius appeared to be subjected to abuse in Real's 2-0 win away to Real Valladolid as he walked past fans after being substituted at the Jose Zorrilla stadium. The Provincial Court of Valladolid imposed on the five offenders a year in prison and fines ranging from 1,080 euros to 1,620 euros. The prison sentences were suspended on condition that they do not commit any offence in the next three years, while they are also not allowed to attend any matches in the same period. "Thanks to the efforts of LaLiga, which filed the complaint and initially acted as the sole private prosecution — later joined by the player Vinicius and Real Madrid, as well as the Public Prosecutor's Office — this exemplary ruling has been achieved," LaLiga said in a statement. "This judicial decision represents an unprecedented milestone in the fight against racism in sport in Spain, where, until now, rulings had addressed conduct against moral integrity with a racial aggravating factor. "The fact that this ruling explicitly refers to hate crimes associated with racist insults reinforces the message that intolerance has no place in football." Prison sentences of less than two years for non-violent crimes in Spain rarely require a defendant without previous convictions to serve jail time. In June last year, three Valencia fans were sentenced to eight months in prison for insulting Vinicius with "shouts, gestures and chants referring to the colour of his skin". In September, a fan who racially abused Vinicius and Villarreal player Samuel Chukwueze in two games at Mallorca in 2023 was found guilty and handed a suspended prison sentence. The aggressor had a 12-month sentence suspended after apologising in a letter to Vinicius and undergoing anti-discrimination training but was also banned from stadiums for three years.
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Real Madrid's Endrick could miss Club World Cup with injury
Real Madrid's Endrick could miss Club World Cup with injury Real Madrid forward Endrick suffered a hamstring injury during their 2-0 victory over Sevilla, the LaLiga club said on Wednesday, in the latest injury blow to the team. Real did not provide a timeline for the player's return, but Spanish media reported the Brazil international could be sidelined for at least two months, forcing him out of the Club World Cup in the United States. "Following tests carried out today on our player Endrick by Real Madrid's medical services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the hamstring tendon in his right leg. He will be monitored closely," Real said in a statement. The 18-year-old will also miss Brazil's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay. Endrick adds to Real's growing injury list, which already includes Vinicius Junior, Lucas Vazquez, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Eduardo Camavinga, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy and David Alaba. Real host Real Sociedad in their final LaLiga game of the season on Saturday before kicking off their Club World Cup campaign against Al-Hilal next month.
