Kylian Mbappé Backs Vinícius Junior Ahead of El Clásico
- Real Madrid secured a 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig at the Santiago Bernabéu in the third round of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League on Oct.
- Kylian Mbappé addressed Vinícius Junior's visible disappointment after the match, telling Movistar that it is normal for a player of his caliber to feel upset when he wants...
- Yan Diomande became the youngest substitute in Real Madrid history to both score and provide an assist in a Champions League match.
Real Madrid secured a 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig at the Santiago Bernabéu in the third round of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League on Oct. 21, 2026, driven by an impressive performance from 19-year-old substitute Yan Diomande. The win contributes to the club’s progress in the European standings ahead of an upcoming El Clásico clash against Barcelona, though the match also featured visible frustration from Brazilian forward Vinícius Junior when he was substituted.
Kylian Mbappé addressed Vinícius Junior’s visible disappointment after the match, telling Movistar that it is normal for a player of his caliber to feel upset when he wants to deliver more for the team and supporters. Real Madrid manager José Mourinho decided to substitute Vinícius in the 70th minute, bringing on Diomande, who subsequently provided an assist and scored a goal within 20 minutes. As Vinícius walked off the pitch with his head down, he faced angry jeers from sections of the home crowd due to his dip in form at the start of the season. Mbappé urged his teammate to stay calm and take pride in his exceptional talent.
Real Madrid Youth Star Shines Against RB Leipzig
Yan Diomande became the youngest substitute in Real Madrid history to both score and provide an assist in a Champions League match. The 19-year-old has contributed seven goals in his last four appearances, consisting of three goals and four assists, making him a fan favorite in the Spanish capital. Against Leipzig, Bernardo Silva opened the scoring in the 43rd minute following a rebound from Federico Valverde’s shot, before Arda Güler doubled the lead in the 52nd minute by heading in a redirected effort from Mbappé. Mbappé added a curling shot into the top corner in the 83rd minute, and Leipzig’s Tidiam Gomis briefly cut the deficit before Diomande sealed the 4-1 scoreline with a sharp strike from a Brahim Díaz cross.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois played a crucial role in maintaining the lead during early pressure from the German side, denying Romolo from close range and stopping Christopher Nkunku in a one-on-one situation. Speaking to Dazn, Courtois revealed that manager José Mourinho expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s defensive intensity during the first half, demanding better collective responsibility before the squad tightened up after the interval.
Courtois Assesses El Clásico And Refereeing Concerns
Looking ahead to the fixture against Barcelona, Thibaut Courtois stated that it is natural for Real Madrid to receive less praise than their Catalan rivals, who lead La Liga. Real Madrid sits in third place with 21 points, trailing a Barcelona side holding 27 points despite suffering their first defeat of the season across all competitions against Paris Saint-Germain. Courtois emphasized that while Barcelona relies heavily on an aggressive attacking style that attracts media attention, Real Madrid remains confident in its ability to narrow the six-point gap.
Courtois criticized the current standard of refereeing and the implementation of VAR in Spanish football. While expressing trust in the integrity of the match officials heading into the Clásico, the Belgian goalkeeper argued that VAR intervenes more frequently than originally intended when it was introduced in 2018, leading to inconsistent decisions.
Mbappé Evaluates Personal Form In Champions League Campaign
Reflecting on his own displays in the tournament, Mbappé offered a self-critical assessment of his contribution to the squad. The French forward acknowledged to Marca that he constantly demands more from himself, stating that his current output is never enough for a player of his standing. Discussing the broader European campaign, Mbappé stressed the importance of securing points early to finish inside the top eight places of the Champions League league phase, noting that the team has won three matches before shifting full attention toward the weekend domestic meeting.
Whether Real Madrid can successfully breach Barcelona’s defense at the Camp Nou to reduce the league deficit remains to be seen when the two sides meet on Sunday.