Alonso confident Vinicius will rediscover form
Xabi Alonso is confident Vinicius Junior will play his way back into form for Real Madrid, having been left on the bench for its second game of the season in LaLiga.
Vinicius started Madrid's 1-0 season-opening win over Osasuna but failed to have an impact and was subsequently dropped to the bench for a 3-0 win at Real Oviedo on matchday two.
Madrid goes in search of a third straight victory against Mallorca on Sunday (AEST), and Alonso would not confirm whether Vinicius will start his pre-match press conference.
"I'm very happy with Vini. Against Oviedo, he showed he can have a big impact off the bench," Alonso said.
"In a locker room, the key is that everyone is willing to contribute, whether on the pitch or off it ... and he's going to be crucial.
"Truly believing in this is fundamental, and everyone here does.
"What I want is for him to have a fantastic season. We're just starting, everyone is important and for everything he's done for Madrid and for everything we want him to do this season, he's going to be a crucial player."
Vinicius played 52 games in all competitions last season, scoring 21 goals – three fewer than he managed in 39 outings the previous campaign.
Alonso also sees the winger, who has been rested by Brazil for its upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia, as playing a key role in the dressing room.
"Our dressing room has 25 players from the first team and some who have come from the Castilla team," Alonso said.
"The most important thing is the feeling of the team, that everyone feels that they are there to contribute, that they will have their moment."
It was also announced that LaLiga has filed an official complaint against Oviedo, after racial abuse towards Vinicius and fellow attacker Kylian Mbappe was heard at last week's game.
