Real Madrid’s narrow El Clasico victory over Barcelona moved them five points clear at the top of LaLiga – but it was far from a perfect day for Xabi Alonso.
After failing to beat Barcelona in all four meetings last season, Los Blancos finally prevailed in their first encounter of the new campaign – a significant milestone in Alonso’s managerial career since taking charge in the summer.
Yet instead of being afforded a moment to celebrate, the Madrid boss was drawn into a touchline melee at full time, while his authority also came under public scrutiny from star winger Vinicius Junior.
Alonso incurred the Brazilian’s ire in the 72nd minute, with Madrid still 2-1 up after Jude Bellingham had given the hosts the lead before half time.
When Vinicius saw his number flash up on the board, he repeatedly asked, ‘Me?!’ before calling out, ‘Coach, coach!’ as he reluctantly made his way to the bench.
While Alonso kept his distance, cameras caught him looking frustrated and muttering, ‘Come on, Vini, damn it…’
After shaking hands with his team-mate and close friend Rodrygo, Vinicius’s protests grew louder.
‘Always me,’ he said, raising his arms and addressing Alonso’s assistant, Sebas Parrilla. ‘I’m leaving the team. It’s better if I leave – I’m leaving,’ he continued, before heading straight down the tunnel.
The winger then proceeded to return to the bench where he watched the rest of the match as if nothing had happened. And in the closing moments he stood alongside goalscorers Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, both of whom had also been replaced.
The Brazilian was implicated again when he became involved in a post-match brawl between the two teams.
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal had incensed the Madrid fans and players prior to kick-off when he said they ‘rob and complain’.
And Dani Carvajal proved the comments had not gone down well, with the right-back caught on camera appearing to tell the Kopa Trophy winner that he talks too much.
A late challenge by Pedri to draw a second yellow card seemed to be the spark that lit the fuse, as both sets of teams became involved in a temporary scuffle – which resumed at the final whistle a few minutes later with police forced to intervene.
Vinicius Jr looked to be one of the protagonists of the melee and had to be held back by a member of backroom staff, while five players were yellow carded and Madrid substitute Andriy Lunin was sent off.
Alonso attempted to downplay both Vinicius’ reaction to being substituted, and the scenes at the final whistle.
The Los Blancos boss said: ‘There are different personalities in any dressing room. Right now we will enjoy the win, then we’ll have a conversation, for sure.’
The winger has only finished three of the 10 games in which he has started this season – as well as being dropped from the starting XI of three.
Alonso added: ‘The only thing Vinicius was missing was a goal. It’s true that he came off the pitch when he was feeling best and I could have waited a bit to replace him, but I understood that we needed fresh players to maintain control. Vinicius wanted to stay on because he was feeling good.
‘Franco (Mastantuono) wanted to carry on playing too. He said to me, “Are you taking me off?” And I said, “Yes.” Something similar happened with Vini. He wasn’t very happy, but neither was Franco. It happens to everyone, but I’m very happy with Vinicius’s performance. The schedule is demanding and we have to keep going.’
The Brazilian did not choose to comment on his departure from the field, and said that while Madrid ‘did not mean to offend anyone’ with the on-field clashes, insisted that ‘we have to defend our side’.
He told Real Madrid TV after the game: ‘We try to maintain a balance, but it’s not always possible. We didn’t want to offend anyone, not Barca players, nor the fans. We know that when we step onto the pitch, we have to defend our side, and that’s how it was today.’
Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold remained an unused substitute for the match, with 33-year-old Carvajal preferred over the Englishman.
