Real Madrid entered their Champions League match against Kairat Almaty under significant psychological pressure following their defeat to Atlético Madrid in La Liga. The team was in dire need of a strong response. The Whites arrived in Kazakhstan with one clear objective: to bounce back convincingly and reassert their dominance on the European stage.
They did just that, securing a commanding 5–0 victory, with standout performances from Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. However, what happened after the match ended up stealing the spotlight.
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Vinicius appeared visibly frustrated with his coach’s decision to substitute him, showing clear signs of anger on the bench. Several media outlets reported indications of possible on-field tension, particularly involving Rodrygo Goes. Once the players exited the dressing room post-match, Vinicius was quick to apologize to his teammate, worried that his reaction might have come across as disrespectful. Rodrygo, however, took it in stride and wasn’t offended in the slightest.
Xabi Alonso also addressed the situation in the subsequent press conference, putting any speculation to rest and ensuring the matter was resolved swiftly.
Rodrygo’s performance, meanwhile, was one of his most impressive displays in a Real Madrid shirt. He emerged as a driving force behind the team’s success, especially after the lineup saw several key changes. In his pre-match comments, Xabi Alonso emphasized the need for higher intensity,something the team had clearly lacked in their derby defeat to Atlético. Against Kairat, that intensity returned.
The match featured new rotations and tactical adjustments to deal with the absence of Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold, especially amid a packed fixture schedule that leaves little room for error. Real Madrid are not counting on either full-back being consistently available for the key matches ahead.
