The 3 players José Mourinho should consider to fill Vinícius Júnior’s void during his suspension

Share on XShare on RedditCopy ArticleAdd us as a preferred sourceReal Madrid v Villarreal CF – LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 | Angel Martinez/GettyImagesJust when you think you have seen everything in football, this sport finds a new way to amaze you. On Saturday night at the Bernabéu, a quite unique VAR decision shocked the watching world. With 18 minutes to play, shortly after Yan Diomandé broke the deadlock, Vinícius Júnior had seemingly secured victory for Real Madrid against Villarreal.

Just when you think you have seen everything in football, this sport finds a new way to amaze you. On Saturday night at the Bernabéu, a quite unique VAR decision shocked the watching world. With 18 minutes to play, shortly after Yan Diomandé broke the deadlock, Vinícius Júnior had seemingly secured victory for Real Madrid against Villarreal.

Having begun the night on the bench, following underwhelming performances, Vini Jr celebrated wildly, even prompting 63 year old José Mourinho to sprint down the touchline, just like the old days. However, that high was followed by the lowest of lows for the Brazilian.

Having begun the night on the bench, following underwhelming performances, Vini Jr celebrated wildly, even prompting 63 year old José Mourinho to sprint down the touchline, just like the old days. However, that high was followed by the lowest of lows for the Brazilian.

Referee Isidro Díaz de Mera Escuderos was sent to the VAR monitor and, after review, the goal was disallowed for a foul in the build up, but that was not what got everyone talking. On the half way line, Vinícius had yanked Canadian Nathan Saliba's hair while running past him which, not only saw the goal chalked off, resulted in the 26 year old being sent off for violent conduct.

Referee Isidro Díaz de Mera Escuderos was sent to the VAR monitor and, after review, the goal was disallowed for a foul in the build up, but that was not what got everyone talking. On the half way line, Vinícius had yanked Canadian Nathan Saliba's hair while running past him which, not only saw the goal chalked off, resulted in the 26 year old being sent off for violent conduct.

🗣 AUDIO REVISIÓN VAR 🗓 Jornada 8 | Primera División ⚽ @realmadrid 🆚 @VillarrealCF | 71’ #ArbitrajeRFEF | @CTARFEF pic.twitter.com/ZCdtYPPTJD

This was the third red card of Vinícius' Real Madrid career, and it feels like such a bizarre incident could only ever happen to him. He will therefore be suspended for La Liga games against Sevilla and Racing Santander, as well as the small mater of a Clásico at Camp Nou in a fortnight.

This was the third red card of Vinícius' Real Madrid career, and it feels like such a bizarre incident could only ever happen to him. He will therefore be suspended for La Liga games against Sevilla and Racing Santander, as well as the small mater of a Clásico at Camp Nou in a fortnight.

Vini can feature in Champions League games against Roma and RB Leipzig during this period, so won't be completely frozen out, but this will force Mourinho into a domestic rethink. So, who should he consider deploying on the left-wing, especially against league-leaders Barcelona?

Vini can feature in Champions League games against Roma and RB Leipzig during this period, so won't be completely frozen out, but this will force Mourinho into a domestic rethink. So, who should he consider deploying on the left-wing, especially against league-leaders Barcelona?

Yan Diomande anotó su primer gol como madridista ⚽️👏. pic.twitter.com/55r9zrV4qK

As already mentioned, after travelling to Australia and India during the international break, Vinícius did not actually start on Saturday night. Instead, having arrived from RB Leipzig for €125 million, Yan Diomandé was included in a Real Madrid starting lineup for only the third time.

As already mentioned, after travelling to Australia and India during the international break, Vinícius did not actually start on Saturday night. Instead, having arrived from RB Leipzig for €125 million, Yan Diomandé was included in a Real Madrid starting lineup for only the third time.

The Côte d'Ivoire international marked the occasion with a smart finish, which proved to be the difference. During his time in the Bundesliga, 25 of Diomandé's 35 appearances came on the right, which is his favoured role, but he may now be needed on the opposite flank.

The Côte d'Ivoire international marked the occasion with a smart finish, which proved to be the difference. During his time in the Bundesliga, 25 of Diomandé's 35 appearances came on the right, which is his favoured role, but he may now be needed on the opposite flank.

BRAHIM DIAZ PUTS REAL MADRID IN FRONT 🔥#DAZNPreseasonFriendlies pic.twitter.com/wW6PiYceOq

If the 19 year old is not yet trusted, especially away at Barcelona, could Mourinho turn to Brahim Díaz? Since the start of last season, the Moroccan international has just two goals to his name, scoring against Kairat in Kazakhstan and Athletic Club on the final day of the previous campaign.

If the 19 year old is not yet trusted, especially away at Barcelona, could Mourinho turn to Brahim Díaz? Since the start of last season, the Moroccan international has just two goals to his name, scoring against Kairat in Kazakhstan and Athletic Club on the final day of the previous campaign.

However, one could certainly argue that this team functions better with Brahim on the pitch, given that he is a continuity player who gets the best out of others. Thus, Díaz has to be an option Mourinho is considering.

However, one could certainly argue that this team functions better with Brahim on the pitch, given that he is a continuity player who gets the best out of others. Thus, Díaz has to be an option Mourinho is considering.

Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham combine to perfection! 🤝A brilliant one-two sees the Frenchman grab his second of the night 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cuh4xFaaFJ

This may be a bold suggestion, but could Vini Jr's ban see Kylian Mbappé deployed on the left? Ahead of his first match as France boss, Zinédine Zidane declared that he views the 27 year old as a left winger. Thus, he deployed Mbappé out wide in İzmit, albeit this did not last long, suffering a knee injury in the act of scoring the only goal to defeat Türkiye.

This may be a bold suggestion, but could Vini Jr's ban see Kylian Mbappé deployed on the left? Ahead of his first match as France boss, Zinédine Zidane declared that he views the 27 year old as a left winger. Thus, he deployed Mbappé out wide in İzmit, albeit this did not last long, suffering a knee injury in the act of scoring the only goal to defeat Türkiye.

Since his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain, Madridistas have more or less exclusively seen Mbappé utilised as a centre-forward, even though no one is entirely sure that is actually how best to use him. Well, deputy centre-forward Carlos Espí is yet to start for the club, but has scored twice in just 25 La Liga minutes, bagging stoppage time winners at both Espanyol and Elche. Thus, one could make a case that Mourinho should use this opportunity to move Mbbapé to the left and start Espí.

Since his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain, Madridistas have more or less exclusively seen Mbappé utilised as a centre-forward, even though no one is entirely sure that is actually how best to use him. Well, deputy centre-forward Carlos Espí is yet to start for the club, but has scored twice in just 25 La Liga minutes, bagging stoppage time winners at both Espanyol and Elche. Thus, one could make a case that Mourinho should use this opportunity to move Mbbapé to the left and start Espí.

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