Vinicius poses a tactical question Carlo Ancelotti must solve at Real Madrid | OneFootball

The situation surrounding Vinicius Jr. at Real Madrid is becoming increasingly complicated.

According to SPORT, Carlo Ancelotti faces the challenge of fitting all the Galacticos into the starting XI, but his tactical decisions are beginning to frustrate the Brazilian winger and affect the team’s performance on the pitch.

In the recent clash against Atletico Madrid, Vinicius was deployed as a centre-forward during the first half. This decision backfired as the player struggled to adapt, finding himself isolated and ineffective while battling against Atletico’s central defenders.

Real Madrid lacked attacking depth and failed to create meaningful chances. However, a tactical shift in the second half saw Ancelotti move Vinicius back to his preferred position on the left wing.

The result was immediate, with Vinicius playing a vital role in creating opportunities as Madrid pushed to stage a comeback.

The recoiling impact

It’s becoming clear that Vinicius is being negatively impacted by the tactical preference given to Kylian Mbappe, who has been occupying the left-wing position.

This adjustment has limited Vinicius’ ability to showcase his natural skills. Despite his remarkable ability to dribble past defenders and create dangerous chances, he was largely ineffective in the first half.

Vinicius Jr. is posing a big problem for Carlo Ancelotti. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

His frustration was evident, even leading to visible disagreements with teammates. Once repositioned, Vinicius proved why he is considered one of the best in the world on the wing.

His dynamic play and creativity led Madrid to generate up to seven clear scoring opportunities, though they were thwarted by Jan Oblak.

Looking ahead

Looking ahead, Ancelotti faces a tough decision as Real Madrid prepare for their showdown against Manchester City.

The coach may opt for a formation featuring only two strikers to give both Vinicius and Mbappe the space they need. However, this could come at the cost of sidelining Rodrygo, who has also been performing well this season.

Vinicius’ future at Madrid appears uncertain. Reports suggest he has rejected an initial renewal offer and is considering a lucrative proposal from Saudi Arabia.

If Ancelotti continues to prioritise Mbappe on the wing, Vinicius may seriously think about leaving the club. How Madrid handles this situation could significantly shape the remainder of their season and beyond.