Alonso is not as gentle and indulgent as Ancelotti

Vinicius will not be pampered under Alonso

In terms of points, it was a solid start, but in the dressing room, the coaching staff's management began to reveal new nuances. One of them had a direct impact on Vinicius.

Ancelotti has a “management manual” based on an immutable principle: absolute stability. The Italian makes decisions, selects the starting lineup, builds up the pillars that cannot be changed and from there maintains an order that is not disturbed. Young players or homegrown talents are only used when absolutely necessary.

Vinicius, under Ancelotti, is also part of that fixed path. He is a default. Whether he clashes with opponents, fights with the crowd, or has a slump in form for weeks on end, Vinicius's place in the starting lineup remains unshaken.

But in the early morning of August 25, against Oviedo, the starting lineup announced by Xabi Alonso opened up a different scenario. Vinicius sat on the bench, and faced a new reality: having to compete on his own ability.

Name, history, or feeling “irreplaceable” in the pecking order are no longer enough. It’s all about form, class, and what you show each week.

Being benched doesn’t mean abandonment, but it does send a clear message. Alonso wants to make it clear that his management style is not based on default, but on competition. And that puts Vinicius in front of a much harsher mirror: if he doesn’t perform, someone else will take his place.

The Brazilian star, used to being protected by Ancelotti, now has to adapt to a context where every gesture, every action can decide whether he keeps his position or not.

Real Madrid won, played impressively, and maintained their momentum. But the story of this early period is not just about the points, but also about the new ecosystem that Alonso is creating. If Vinicius has always been protected in a static lineup before, being benched in Oviedo could be a turning point.

It was a reminder to Vinicius that, in this era of Real Madrid, starting a game is no longer a privilege, even when he scores, because behind Vinicius there is still Franco Mastantuono or Rodrygo always ready to replace.

Source: https://znews.vn/alonso-khong-hien-va-chieu-chuong-nhu-ancelotti-post1579732.html