Jose Mourinho has explained that his decision to substitute Vinicius Junior after he scored was partly aimed at allowing the Brazilian forward to receive support from the fans.
The Portuguese coach said he would not have taken Vinicius off if the Real Madrid star had failed to score, revealing that the substitution was planned as a positive moment for the player.
“If Vini didn’t score, I wouldn’t have subbed him out,” Mourinho said.
Mourinho explained that he was aware Vinicius had been booed by some supporters during the previous season. He therefore wanted to allow the forward to hear the fans show their appreciation after he found the back of the net.
“I knew that he was booed sometimes by the fans last season, so I decided to sub him out to let him hear love from the fans after he scored and then rest a bit,” he added.
Vinicius has been one of Real Madrid’s most important attacking players in recent seasons. The Brazilian has regularly been involved in goals and has played a key role in the club’s success in domestic and European competitions.
However, his relationship with sections of the Real Madrid support has sometimes been difficult. The forward has faced criticism when his performances have not met expectations, despite his overall contribution to the team.
Mourinho has often been known for his strong personality and tactical decisions, but his explanation in this case highlights a more personal approach to managing players.
