Real Madrid: 5 burning questions after loss to Shakhtar Donetsk

Is Vinicius Junior the only one who takes responsibility for Real Madrid in attack?

I cannot sing Vinicius Junior’s praises enough. Whenever Real Madrid are in trouble and need someone to make a difference in the attack, Vini steps up. Despite being 20, he has become an inspirational figure to Los Blancos. He may still be growing and developing into a complete forward, but he is already a key player to Real.

Which other young forwards for Los Blancos have stepped up to take some responsibility and do something positive when things are going wrong? Look at what happened today. Rodrygo Goes, playing at the same position, was passive. He was invisible. He may have not as well been on the pitch, because he contributed zero. Luka Jovic was the same.

But Vinicius fought. He scored a goal from nothing. From absolutely nothing, Vinicius made the game 3-2 to give Real Madrid actual, tangible hope. It was his work-rate, his intelligence, his finishing that made that goal.

Vinicius did the same against Real Valladolid earlier this year. His goal against Levante was much-needed, because it gave Los Blancos an early lead in a game in which, tactically speaking, they were not at their best.

Rodrygo needs more minutes to gain the same confidence, and I am worried Real Madrid won’t be able to give that to him. Because Vinicius has locked down that left wing spot with Eden Hazard out for the foreseeable future. On the bright side, Vinicius has that confidence, and you can see it every time he steps onto the pitch. Thank goodness for him this season.