Former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos believes Vinícius Júnior could have caused significant problems for João Cancelo, arguing that the Brazilian forward’s pace and movement would have been effective against the defender’s positioning.
Kroos said he would have liked to see Vinícius face Cancelo during the week, suggesting that the Portuguese full-back’s tendency to leave space behind him could have created opportunities for the Real Madrid winger.
He made the comments after Real Madrid won 2:1 in the just ended El-Classico where Vinicius missed the match because of his red-card suspension.
“I would have liked to see Vini Jr. up against Cancelo this week, he could have hurt him because he leaves a lot of space in behind,” Kroos said.
The former Germany international also argued that Vinícius does not necessarily need exceptional technical ability to threaten opponents, but must take advantage of defensive spaces and make the right decisions.
According to Kroos, the Brazilian’s effectiveness would depend largely on how well he exploits openings rather than relying solely on individual skill.
He also referenced the defensive performances of Jude Bellingham and Diomande, suggesting that their approach offered an example of the discipline required in such match-ups.
Vinícius, widely recognised for his pace, dribbling and ability to take on defenders, has established himself as one of Real Madrid’s key attacking players.
His assessment suggests that Vinícius could be especially dangerous against opponents who struggle to recover quickly when possession changes or when they advance high up the pitch.
