Two brief, isolated bursts of whistles... but significant ones. The first came early, in the 23rd minute, when Vinicius had barely touched the ball, after rushing a pass on a counterattack. The second came when José Mourinho decided to take him off in the 70th minute, a strange decision given that the Brazilian still has three games left to serve on his LaLiga suspension. With 20 minutes remaining, the game wide open and plenty of space to exploit, the circumstances seemed ideal for him to make peace with a Bernabéu crowd that has been increasingly hostile toward him for far too long.

Vini accepted his coach’s decision without complaint and wisely waited for the substitution right by the touchline, avoiding a long walk to the bench that could have turned into another referendum on his popularity. This came after he had barely made an impression on the game. A passable performance, nothing more. Visibly affected by a sudden bout of stage fright, the Brazilian headed to the locker room without having attempted to take on a defender. Zero dribbles. Something difficult to explain for a player as explosive as him.

It also confirmed a worrying trend. His previous appearance before the Leipzig game, against Roma, was the first of his 310 starts for Madrid in which he failed to attempt a single shot.

Against Leipzig, he did at least manage three shots, the first two of which were particularly dangerous. They were enough to prevent any further whistles following that early show of disapproval, at least until he was replaced by Diomande. To rub salt into the Brazilian’s wounds, his replacement then produced a spectacular volley to score Madrid’s fourth goal.

Rather than defiance, Vini exuded sadness. Both Kylian Mbappé and Mourinho were asked about his demeanor.

“It’s good that he’s sad. It means he wants to give a lot to the team and the fans. He needs to stay calm and be proud of who he is, because he’s a great player. Everything will come because he has the quality,” said the French star.

The coach, unsurprisingly, also came to his defense.

“Vini played a good game tactically from his coach’s point of view. He tracked back very well. He could have scored a magnificent goal [with his second shot on target], but the goalkeeper made a great save. Only he can explain whether he feels sad, but his coach is happy.”

A suspension that could reshape Madrid’s attack

Vinicius’ four-game suspension was viewed within Real Madrid more as a solution than a problem. It offered the player an opportunity to put right the things that have prevented him from being his usual self this season.

It was also an opportunity for Diomande, Madrid’s $145 million signing, to establish himself.

And, ultimately, it gave Mourinho the chance to build some continuity with a balanced team, featuring Diomande on the left and Federico Valverde surging forward on the right, creating room for Arda Güler alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni.

The Clásico will reveal whether that is the system Mourinho ultimately settles on at Madrid. And if it is, Vinicius will not be part of it.

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