Report: Mourinho and Vinicius face crisis beyond red card revealing Real Madrid issues

Vinicius Junior's red card during Real Madrid's 1-0 victory over Villarreal was not just a controversial refereeing incident; it exposed intertwined crises within the team, concerning the Brazilian player's performance, his relationship with the Santiago Bernabéu fans, and the way coach José Mourinho has handled criticism.

After a period where Mourinho appeared calmer, the debate over his approach to officiating has resurfaced, especially following Real Madrid's losses to Real Betis and Atlético Madrid. The coach then decided to skip the press conference after the victory over Villarreal, a move that raised questions about the reasons for his absence and his handling of the situation.

Mourinho missed the press conference after the Villarreal match, and he also did not appear on Real Madrid's television channel. His absence comes amid fears that his comments regarding officiating could lead to a sanction that would prevent him from sitting on the bench during the upcoming matches against Sevilla and FC Barcelona.

This coincided with a charged atmosphere inside Santiago Bernabéu, where fans chanted against the refereeing, the Spanish Football Federation, and La Liga president Javier Tebas. However, the continued focus on refereeing decisions raises questions about Real Madrid's ability to address its technical issues, as some shortcomings that the team suffered from in the previous two seasons persist.

Vinicius Junior started the match on the bench, having had a tiring international break with the Brazil national team, but he participated and left his mark in about 20 minutes, contributing to the revitalization of Real Madrid's performance, before scoring a goal that was disallowed for pulling a Villarreal player by his hair.

The match officials did not witness the incident directly, but VAR intervened, leading referee Isidro Díaz de Mera to issue a straight red card to the Brazilian player. The referee's report indicated that Vinicius Junior continued to protest loudly and approached the referee's area with behavior described as aggressive, which may affect the penalty imposed on him.

Vinicius Junior faces the risk of a suspension for at least two matches, according to the wording of the referee's report, which could rule him out of the El Clásico against FC Barcelona at Camp Nou in two weeks, with the possibility of the penalty being increased.

After the match, Vinicius Junior posted an apology on his Instagram account, saying: "The joy continues.. I apologize to my team and the fans." However, he did not publicly apologize to the Villarreal player. Meanwhile, Real Madrid's television channel focused its criticism of the refereeing on what it described as a disparity in the standards of foul calls between the two teams.

Vinicius Junior's crisis goes beyond the red card, with concerns about his declining form compared to when he was one of the standout players capable of making a difference. This issue becomes increasingly important following his contract renewal with Real Madrid until 2032, as regaining his best form remains a significant challenge for the team.

Mourinho defended his player before the match, emphasizing that he wants to regain his best form and that he is working hard to return to delivering performances that help the team secure victories and win titles. He described him as an exceptional player who deserves support.

However, the reaction of the fans revealed tension in the relationship between Vinicius Junior and the stands of Santiago Bernabéu, after he was booed during his participation. The disagreement between the two parties dates back to last season, making regaining the fans' trust an additional challenge for the Brazilian player.

Despite the criticism, Vinicius Junior's teammates and Mourinho showed their support for him after his disallowed goal, as they gathered around him in an attempt to contain him and help him regain his confidence and form.

However, this support does not end the questions surrounding the player, whether regarding his behavior on the pitch, his declining form, or his relationship with the fans. Amid the repercussions of the red card, the refereeing controversy, and the need to regain the best version of Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid finds itself facing a challenge that requires addressing more than one aspect, rather than keeping the scene confined to refereeing decisions.