Real Oviedo vs Real Madrid: Vinicius Junior sends out a powerful statement to Xabi Alonso

The clash between Real Oviedo and Real Madrid made headlines much before kick-off, given the return of the former to La Liga after a long gap of 21 years. Their last home game at this level was also against Real Madrid and history repeated itself in a good way for the underdogs.

However, there was two surprising developments before kick-off regarding the Real Madrid starting line-up, with manager Xabi Alonso opting to put Vinicius Junior on the bench with the unexpected Brazilian Rodrygo on the roster instead. Vinicius had an off-colour opening game against Osasuna, where he had just one shot before substituted after the hour mark. He seemed very rusty then, but not many would have expected Alonso to make such a move for a star player so quickly. It couldn't have been due to that one game alone, and perhaps, Alonso wanted Vinicius Jr to step up, after the underwhelming latter half he had in the 2024-25 season. 

Whatever Alonso's intentions were, they worked a treat as Vinicius Jr came on for an impactful cameo from the bench. When he is on song, the Brazilian ensures that he makes things happen on the pitch. And so they did. It didn't start well, though, as he got booked for diving after he fell in the penalty box during one his mazing runs. A yellow card within minutes wasn't in his plans and he looked irritated, much like he had last season. It appeared like another night of frustration was beckoning him but Vinicius soon turned things around on its head.

In the 83rd minute, he pounced on a defensive mistake in Oviedo's half and made an electric run through the middle, sneaking past multiple opposition players before slipping a neat diagnol pass for Kylian Mbappe who was waiting towards the left in the penalty box. The Frenchman, having already scored in the first half, completed his brace with clinical precision to give Real Madrid firm control of the game. Mbappe should have had his hat-trick minutes later, only for an exceptional save from Oviedo goalkeeper Aaron Escandell who had a terrific night overall as well. If not for him, Real Madrid could well have scored a few more goals.

Meanwhile, Vinicius Jr capped off the night on a perfect note with virtually the last move of the game. Another of Oviedo's defensive lapses in midfield saw Madrid with a swift counterattack and despite the penalty box being crowded, Vinicius held his composure to calmly slot it past the left of Escandell. It completed a night of domination for Madrid and a satisfying cameo for the Brazilian winger.

For Alonso, the move turned out to be a double-edged sword but knowing the Spaniard, it is something he probably expected. No superstar likes to be on the bench, especially when they are in their prime like Vinicius. It was also a statement from the manager that irrespective of who the player is, he wants them at the top of their game. A fit and firing Vinicius Jr takes Madrid's attacking game to a whole different level, as witnessed in the last 30 minutes of this clash.

What Alonso and Madrid supporters will hope for, is that Vinicius takes all this in his stride and gets back his prime form on a consistent level.