Former Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has expressed deep concern over the recent decline in form of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, stating that he feels sorry for the Brazilian winger as he struggles to regain his previous level of play. The French international shared his assessment while discussing Real Madrid’s recent match against AEK Athens on Spanish radio station Cadena SER, noting that Vinicius has not been at his best for weeks, months, or even seasons.
Umtiti, who faced Vinicius on multiple occasions during his tenure at Barcelona, believes the winger has lost the confidence and attacking threat that once made him one of the most dangerous players in European football. “I feel sorry for him. It saddens me,” Umtiti said. “Vinicius hasn't been at his best for weeks, months, even seasons. It's clear he lacks the confidence he once had on the left wing.”
The former France international explained that opposing defenders no longer appear as worried when Vinicius receives the ball, a stark contrast to previous seasons. “In the past, when he received the ball, you knew he would pose a threat. Now, he no longer has that,” Umtiti added. He further noted that the Brazilian has become less effective in possession, citing frequent turnovers and a lack of sharpness in front of goal.
“He loses the ball a lot, and he no longer strikes fear into opponents,” the former Barcelona defender continued.
Umtiti also raised tactical questions regarding Real Madrid’s lineup, specifically the decision to accommodate Vinicius on the left flank. He highlighted the difficulties this creates for other players, such as Diomande, who is often placed on the right wing where he struggles. “When you put him on the left, it means you put Diomande on the right, where we know Diomande does not perform well and struggles,” Umtiti stated. He argued that the club must decide between establishing genuine competition for places or maintaining a hierarchy that guarantees Vinicius a regular position.
While acknowledging that Real Madrid are currently winning matches, Umtiti emphasized that Vinicius is no longer performing at the same level in La Liga or the Champions League. He identified the winger’s failure to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or as a potential turning point in his career, suggesting that the missed award affected his confidence. “Over the past three seasons, and since he did not win the Ballon d’Or, his level has been affected,” Umtiti concluded. “And we are finding it difficult to recover the lively, dribbling Vinicius on the left wing.”
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>