Vinícius Júnior mentioned his backheel help for Federico Valverde in Actual Madrid’s 3-0 Membership World Cup win over RB Salzburg on Thursday was “the most effective of my profession.”
The Brazil ahead put Madrid forward within the fortieth minute at Lincoln Monetary Subject, Philadelphia, earlier than establishing Valverde to make it 2-0 earlier than halftime.
Ahead Gonzalo García added a 3rd within the 84th minute — his second objective in three video games — to see Madrid high Group H and progress to the final 16, the place they will play Juventus on Tuesday.
“I am very pleased with the help, I feel it is the most effective I’ve had in my profession,” Vinícius mentioned in his post-match information convention, after being named the sport’s MVP, praising the affect of coach Xabi Alonso.
“They have been two excellent weeks. We’re gaining confidence, and making an attempt to grasp as shortly as doable what the boss desires. I’ve to play inside a bit extra, and I’ve all the time favored that, I am nearer to objective.”
Vinicius’ backheel drew comparisons with Actual Madrid legend Guti, who gave a well-known backheel move in a recreation with Deportivo La Coruña.
“Vini’s was excellent, however I used to be on the sector for Guti’s, and it was loopy,” Alonso advised DAZN. “So I will go together with that one. However Vini’s was virtually, virtually the identical.”
Alonso mentioned he was simply as happy with Vinicius’ contribution with out the ball.
“Vini had a terrific recreation, however not simply the objective and help — I deal with his sacrifice, his defensive dedication,” Alonso mentioned. “It allowed us to be very compact with and with out the ball, after which in assault having a bit extra freedom.
“I am blissful for Vini, it is necessary to really feel good. All of us have an excellent feeling, me too, however there is a lengthy solution to go.”
Madrid employed a brand new formation in opposition to Salzburg, with three central defenders, a mode Alonso typically favoured with Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso mentioned switching to the system had “all the time been there, in my head.”
“The gamers have the intelligence and the soccer tradition to know why we we use it, and the optimistic issues we get from it,” he mentioned. “Within the first half we had quite a lot of stability and maturity.
“Having that flexibility helps us.”
Alonso additionally had optimistic phrases for Garcia, 21, who has impressed in assault within the absence of Kylian Mbappé, who remains to be recovering from gastroenteritis.
“[Garcia] is a typical quantity 9, he jogs my memory of Raul,” Alonso mentioned. “He is all the time in the best place, all the time ready for the possibility, and he has a terrific work ethic.”
