Vinícius Júnior praised his backheel assist for Federico Valverde in Real Madrid’s 3-0 Club World Cup victory over RB Salzburg on Thursday as “one of the best of my career.”
The Brazilian forward put Madrid ahead in the 40th minute at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia before assisting Valverde to make it 2-0 before halftime.
Forward Madrid won Group H and will face Juventus in the last 16 on Tuesday, thanks to Gonzalo García’s third goal in the 84th minute, his second in three games.
“I’m very happy with the assist; I think it’s one of the best I’ve had in my career,” Vinícius remarked in his post-match news conference after being voted the game’s MVP. He praised the impact of coach Xabi Alonso.
“They’ve been two excellent weeks. We’re developing confidence and attempting to learn as rapidly as possible what the boss wants. I have to play inside a little more, which I’ve always liked since it brings me closer to the goal.”
Vinicius’ backheel attracted comparisons to Real Madrid icon Guti’s historic backheel pass against Deportivo La Coruña.
“Vini’s was very good, but I was on the field for Guti’s, and it was crazy,” Alonso told DAZN on Monday. “So I’m going with that one. But Vini’s was virtually the same.”
Alonso said he was equally happy with Vinicius’ contribution off the ball.
“Vini had a great game, but not just the goal and assist — I focus on his sacrifice, his defensive commitment,”. “It allowed us to be very compact with and without the ball while yet having some freedom in attack.
“I am pleased for Vini; it is vital to feel good. We all feel fantastic, including myself, but there’s a long way to go.”
Madrid used a new formation against Salzburg, with three central defenders, a type Alonso frequently liked with Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso stated that switching to the method had “always been there, in my head.”
“The players have the intelligence and the football culture to know why we use it and the positive things we get from it,” he told me. “In the first half, we had a lot of consistency and maturity.
“Having that flexibility helps us.”
Alonso also praised Garcia, 21, who has performed admirably in attack in the absence of Kylian Mbappé, who is still suffering from gastroenteritis.
“[Garcia] is a typical number nine; he reminds me of Raul,” Alonso told reporters. “He’s always in the right position, always waiting for the chance, and he has a great work ethic.”
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