Real Madrid faced a challenging defeat against Liverpool in the Champions League, losing 1-0 at Anfield on March 5, 2024. The decisive moment came in the 61st minute when Alexis Mac Allister scored, marking Madrid’s first loss in the tournament this season. The defeat was particularly notable as it was the first time Madrid failed to score in a match throughout the campaign.
Vinicius Junior, a key player for Madrid, drew criticism from former football star Thierry Henry for his performance during the match. Henry expressed disappointment with Vinicius’ approach, stating that the Brazilian winger’s play was “too scripted” and lacked the spontaneity needed to break down Liverpool’s defense.
During an analysis on CBS Sports, Henry highlighted Vinicius’ hesitation to take on Liverpool defender Conor Bradley. “You have to play with what’s in front of you, you have to play the moment,” Henry stated. He suggested that even without teammates in the box, players should exploit opportunities when they arise.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona forward pointed out moments in the game where Vinicius had the chance to challenge Bradley but chose to pass backward instead. “When we watched the game, Vinicius Jr received the ball in a one-on-one after a good battle in the first five minutes against Conor Bradley, and he passed it back to his left-back to receive it back,” Henry noted. He emphasized that this decision led to a more difficult situation where Vinicius faced three defenders instead of the initial one.
Henry’s sentiments were echoed by former Madrid forward Gareth Bale, who remarked on the lack of creativity from both Vinicius and fellow forward Kylian Mbappe. Bale stated, “I think it was that spark that Thierry and I were talking about, that we didn’t see Mbappe and Vinicius in the final third work a bit of magic.” He expressed frustration over the players complicating situations, suggesting they needed to simplify their approach.
The criticisms come at a time when Madrid is expected to exhibit high-quality performances, especially in crucial matches like those in the Champions League. Their inability to score and create meaningful chances against Liverpool raised questions about their attacking strategy.
As the tournament progresses, Madrid will need to reassess their tactics to ensure they can capitalize on their speed and skills. Both Henry and Bale underscored the importance of taking risks and testing defenders, especially given the attacking talent at their disposal.
With the pressure mounting, Real Madrid will aim to regroup and improve their offensive play in the upcoming fixtures, hoping to return to winning form in the Champions League.
