Real Madrid beat Mallorca 2-1 in a tough game that had its good and bad moments. There were more good ones than bad ones, and it showed that even when things are not working exactly the way Xabi Alonso wants them to, the team will still find a way out.
Real Madrid went behind in the first half, and scored two brilliantly quick goals in just under a minute from each other. It was actually really refreshing to see, and the crowd and the team both came alive after.
The first half was about Vinicius Jr more than others, though. It was not that he was the best player on the pitch - it was Alvaro Carreras. It also wasn't that he wasn't doing well, because he was.
In fact, Vinicius Jr performed just the way fans usually expect him to, except that he hasn't been playing like that for a while.
Vinicius Jr got his swagger back against Mallorca on Saturday
The player has scored goals in the last few months, and has had crucial assists in crucial moments too, but there were a few things that was really missing from his game. That explosiveness, the way he dribbled past his opponents at will. The confidence with which he goes about his business.
Against Mallorca, the real Vinicius Jr came alive. He already performed really well against Real Oviedo the other day, but the performance against Mallorca was really astonishing to see. He was defending well, pressing well, and was doing everything Alonso wants from him.
There were also moments where he took players on at will, just like he used to. He succeeded a lot, too, and even if he had failed in some attempts, it was good to see him try without fearing the outcome.
Real Madrid's ceiling goes so, so high if Vinicius Jr is able to find his best form this season - and if you have a front two of Kylian Mbappe and the Brazilian firing on all cylinders, then there is not much else anyone can do about it.
There is still a long way to go before we see the Vinicius Jr that was getting Ballon d'Or shouts not long ago, but this is much better than the second half of last season. Long may it continue - as this is what Real Madrid fans need.