Vinicius Junior stated the worldwide break is coming at a nasty time for Actual Madrid, after his brace helped them to a 3-2 derby victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Following Barcelona’s 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano earlier within the day, the stress was on Alvaro Arbeloa’s crew on the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, notably after Ademola Lookman gave Atleti a first-half lead.
Nonetheless, a quickfire double from Vinicius and Federico Valverde turned the competition round, and even after Nahuel Molina’s scorching strike made it 2-2, Madrid got here on sturdy once more.
Vinicius picked out the far nook after being expertly discovered by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s swap of play, and Madrid held on after Valverde noticed crimson for a late foul on Alex Baena.
Madrid at the moment are again inside 4 factors of Barcelona on the prime of LaLiga following three straight wins, however they aren’t in motion till going through Mallorca on April 4.
Talking to Actual Madrid TV after full-time, Vinicius stated of the upcoming hiatus: “It’s a disgrace, we’re on a great run now.
“We’re all going away with our nationwide groups, and hopefully we will all come again with out accidents for an important stretch of the season.
“I’m very proud of the sport, we managed it from the start. We conceded, however we’re evolving and altering in order that in video games like these, the Actual Madrid gamers are content material.
“It’s good that the followers may take pleasure in themselves and that Madrid at all times wins. We have been clear from the start about our gameplan and that made the distinction.”
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— Actual Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) March 22, 2026
Arbeloa, in the meantime, tasted victory in his first Madrid derby, and condemned Atleti boss Diego Simeone to defeat in his fiftieth style of the storied fixture.
“It was thrilling, I at all times say that the ambiance within the derbies is probably the most particular in LaLiga and I needed to expertise it as a coach,” Arbeloa stated.
“After a number of years with out beating them right here on our turf, it was vital to do it in the present day. I’m completely happy for the boys, who deserve this, and we go to the worldwide break very calm.”
Requested about Valverde’s crimson card, which led to livid protests from Madrid’s gamers, Arbeloa expressed confidence that referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero would change his thoughts in regards to the incident.
“It’s obscure, I thank him for coming to the technical space to elucidate to me,” the previous right-back stated.
“Typically dwell it looks like one thing else, and I’m positive when he sees it, he’ll be capable to change his thoughts.
“However then, it was quarter-hour of camaraderie, solidarity, defending very properly and the crimson card has come to imply nothing.”
