Alonso Supports Mbappé and Vinícius After Penalty Drama

Xabi Alonso has publicly defended Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior following a penalty miss during Real Madrid’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Valencia on Saturday. The match took place at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Mbappé had already scored twice, including a penalty, before he chose to let Vinícius take a second penalty that ultimately ended in a save by Valencia’s goalkeeper, Julen Agirrezabala.

Alonso addressed the situation in a post-match press conference, where he praised Mbappé’s performance. “Mbappé scored another two [goals]!” he remarked. “That’s a good average. It’s another three points, and that’s a good average to fight for trophies.” With these goals, Mbappé has now netted an impressive 13 goals in just 11 LaLiga matches this season.

Alonso on Penalty Decisions and Player Dynamics

Despite the missed opportunity, Alonso emphasized the collaborative nature of the team’s decision-making regarding penalty takers. “We assign the penalty takers, and Kylian is the first [taker],” he stated. “After that, they’re decisions. I like them to score the penalties! It’s a good opportunity to score. Kylian scored the first; we would have liked to score the second. But it’s no big deal.”

The match also marked a significant moment for Vinícius, who returned to the pitch just a week after a controversial incident during El Clásico, where he expressed frustration upon being substituted. He issued an apology for his reaction in that match but did not directly mention Alonso. Against Valencia, Vinícius was substituted in the 79th minute alongside Mbappé and this time, he shook hands with the coach, signaling a positive shift in team dynamics.

Alonso acknowledged Vinícius’ contributions during the match, stating, “[Vini] played a very good game.” The Brazilian forward’s performance, despite the penalty miss, supported the team’s strong showing and helped secure a crucial win as they strive for success in LaLiga this season.

With Mbappé recently awarded the 2024-25 European Golden Shoe for his outstanding performances last season, the team looks forward to building on this momentum as they continue their campaign. The victory against Valencia not only solidifies their position in the league but also reinforces the importance of teamwork and resilience among the players.