MADRID — Xabi Alonso defended Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior after Mbappé spurned the possibility to finish a hat trick when he handed Vinícius a penalty kick in Actual Madrid’s 4-0 win over Valencia on Saturday.
Mbappé had already scored twice within the LaLiga recreation on the Santiago Bernabéu — considered one of them a spot kick — when Madrid have been awarded one other penalty earlier than half time.
He allowed Vinícius to take it, just for Valencia keeper Julen Agirrezabala to make a save, though Jude Bellingham discovered the web a minute later.
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The match noticed Vinícius return to the Bernabéu every week after storming off the pitch when he was substituted by Alonso in El Clásico.
“[Mbappé] scored one other two [goals]!” Alonso stated in his post-match information convention, when requested concerning the France worldwide’s resolution at hand the ball to Vinícius. “That is a very good common. It is one other three factors, and that is a very good common to combat for trophies.
Mbappé — who picked up the 2024-25 European Golden Shoe this week for his efforts final season — has now scored 13 targets in 11 LaLiga video games this marketing campaign.
“We assign the penalty takers, and Kylian is the primary [taker],” Alonso stated. “After that, they’re selections.
“I like them to attain the penalties! It is a good alternative to attain. Kylian scored the primary, we might have favored to attain the second. Nevertheless it’s no large deal.”
Vinícius issued an apology on Wednesday for his response to being substituted within the 2-1 victory over Barcelona, though he failed to call Alonso.
In opposition to Valencia, the Brazil ahead was withdrawn within the 79th minute, alongside Mbappé, and this time shook coach Alonso’s hand.
“[Vini] performed an excellent recreation,” Alonso stated.