Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: 5 players who must shine on Saturday

Real Madrid FW Vinicius Junior

Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior scored a goal that was entirely his own doing against Shakhtar Donetsk, giving Real Madrid a brief glimmer of hope by making the game 3-2.

That’s what Vinicius does. He gives Real hope, no matter the circumstances. And he’s played an even bigger role than fellow forward Karim Benzema in Real’s last two rivalry triumphs of 2020. He created the goal in El Derbi that Benzema poked home, and he scored the all-important first goal against Barcelona in the last Clasico, too.

Vinicius has become an inspiring figure for Los Blancos on the pitch, even though he is merely 20 years old. This may be the season Vini becomes undroppable to Zinedine Zidane, even with Eden Hazard set to return in, hopefully, a few weeks.

The left winger could play in that preferred role at the Camp Nou, or he could play in the “free role” of a 4-4-2 diamond formation. Zidane has been known to use that formation in big matches this season, and it has generally succeeded.

With three goals this season, Vini is becoming a major highlight for Real Madrid fans week in and week out. Imagine if he has yet another match-winning performance at El Clasico.