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Real Madrid travel to the Metropolitano to face Atletico Madrid in a La Liga derby that has turned into a genuine bogey fixture for Los Blancos. Jose Mourinho’s side have struggled at this venue in recent seasons, and tonight offers a chance to reverse that trend against their city rivals.
Mourinho faces a set of selection dilemmas heading into the clash, with journalist Ivan Martin pushing for a bold change at the top of the pitch. Martin argues that Vinicius should make way for Yan Diomande, a suggestion that would represent one of the biggest calls of Mourinho’s tenure so far.
Mourinho told to drop Vinicius
Speaking to Defensa Central, Martin laid out the adjustments he would make for the Metropolitano trip. The most eye-catching involved the Brazilian forward.
“I would take Vinicius out and put Diomande in, but that’s not going to happen,” Martin said.
Dropping Vinicius for a derby would be a significant statement from Mourinho, and Martin himself doesn’t expect the coach to make that move. He anticipates the Portuguese boss will continue trusting the Brazilian regardless of recent form.
The fact that this debate exists at all stems from Vinicius’s dip in form alongside the encouraging displays from both Diomande and Arda Guler in recent matches. That kind of competition should be viewed as a positive for the squad. Vinicius remains one of the most dangerous attackers at the club, but form has to count for something when picking a lineup.
Concern over Mourinho’s Guler decision
Martin’s bigger worry centers on how Mourinho handles Guler for this fixture.
“My big doubt is that Mourinho doesn’t do something stupid with Guler,” he said.
The concern is that Madrid could sacrifice creative output in an effort to match Atletico’s physicality. Guler has grown into a key creative outlet this season, someone who can be vital when Madrid need to break pressure and locate Kylian Mbappe in dangerous areas.
Martin expects a familiar midfield pairing to anchor the side.
“I think Tchouameni and Valverde are going to play,” he said.
Bernardo Silva unlikely to get a starting berth
Martin also poured cold water on the idea of Bernardo Silva starting such a demanding match.
“Bernardo isn’t ready to play that game. His World Cup was already poor, he has never regularly played in that position and I don’t think he’s ready to play a match of that intensity,” Martin said.
Mourinho has several interesting choices to weigh around what should otherwise be a settled starting group. Starting Diomande ahead of Vinicius would be the boldest of them all, though it remains nearly impossible to imagine Mourinho going that route.
Keeping Guler alongside a physical Tchouameni-Valverde midfield base could offer a middle ground between creativity and defensive solidity. How Mourinho balances those competing priorities will shape the outcome of the first Madrid derby of the campaign.
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