On Saturday morning, from Brazil to Spain, the sports press had only one name on the eve of the 230th derby in the Spanish capital: the name of Vinicius, whose dances at every goal annoy opponents and make people react. Atlantic Ocean.
It all started with a brawl with Mallorca players a week ago when the 22-year-old Brazilian celebrated his goal with a dance. On Friday, Atletico captain Koke warned Movistar that “if he scores (Sunday night) and decides to dance, […] There will be a quarrel, that’s for sure.”
After the insulting statements he made on the set of a famous Spanish program towards him, Vinicius responded by broadcasting a video clip that was published on his social networking sites. He claims to be a victim of racism and asserts: “I, I will not stop (to dance, editor’s note). »
In the process, Pele, Neymar and great football personalities gave their support to the Brazilian Real winger. Even Atlético striker Alvaro Morata claimed that Vinicius is “a good guy who doesn’t want to offend anyone”.
And he wrote in a statement that Real Madrid is studying, for its part, “taking the necessary legal measures.” And he swept Carlo Ancelotti on Saturday at a press conference, “it will not affect us, it will not affect Vinicius.”
Felix in “better shape”
Vinicius is highly effective in the absence of his captain Karim Benzema (still injured in the right leg and lost in the derby), draining opponents with his stats (five goals and three assists in eight games this season) and his dribbling in a series.
He is the third player in La Liga to have had the most fouls since the start of the season (15), more than Felix, the prodigy of Atletico Madrid.
Since arriving at Atletico in 2019 for €126 million, ‘Minino de Oro’ (Golden Boy, in Portuguese) has never scored or won against Real Madrid. At the start of the 2022-2023 financial year, the 22-year-old Portuguese did not score a single goal, and was decisive only on the first day, with three assists against Getafe (3-0) at the start of the season. La Liga.
Since then, Felix has been silent, a symptom of Atlético disease. “He is at his best since his arrival,” said his totem coach Diego Simeone before the match against Porto in the Champions League (2-1).
Return from Oblak
Against Real Madrid, champions of Spain and Europe and the current leader of the tournament with five wins in five matches, Felix will have to break his silence to snatch Colchoneros from seventh in La Liga.
Because Simeone, who delivered the keys to his team to the young Portuguese, is forced to do without Antoine Griezmann – playing time is limited to half an hour per match due to a dispute with FC Barcelona.
As for the Madrid derby, “El Cholo” will bring back goalkeeper Jan Oblak who has been eagerly awaiting his return. Hit in the left close-up during a touchdown with Reinildo on September 3, Oblak will resume his place in the rojiblancas cages on Sunday after two games.
His opposition with Thibaut Courtois, his counterpart Real Madrid, is one of the other “matches within the match” in this derby. Atlético, the former Belgian goalkeeper of Real Madrid, is still unbeaten against his former club in official matches (six wins and four draws).
.jpg)
