According to Marca, Jude Diomandy is challenging Vinícius Júnior for the left winger position. Despite Real Madrid's defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Madrid derby at the Metropolitano Stadium, Diomandy's 36 minutes off the bench proved to be a bright spot for the team in that match.

When Diomandy entered the pitch, Real Madrid was already playing with ten men and Atlético was leading, making the situation extremely difficult. However, he remained composed, actively receiving the ball on the left flank and fulfilling attacking duties, becoming one of Carlo Ancelotti's most impactful players in the second half. He already demonstrated good form in the match against Elche, and his derby performance further strengthened his case for a starting spot. After an adaptation period that may have been longer than expected, the new signing is gradually building confidence.

Fans Vote for Diomandy to Start

Beyond his recent performances and Vinícius Júnior's apparent loss of form, Diomandy also received strong support from fans who participated in a poll on Marca's website. The poll asked: "Do you think Diomandy should start? If yes, who should he replace?"

The poll gathered over 50,000 votes. Of these, 86% of participants wanted Diomandy to replace Vinícius Júnior in the starting lineup; another 7% supported his inclusion but believed he should replace other players such as Mbappé, Bellingham, or Güler; the remaining 7% thought he should not start. Overall, 93% of votes supported including Diomandy in the starting eleven.

Derby Statistics Comparison

In several key statistical categories from the derby, Diomandy outperformed Vinícius Júnior despite playing fewer minutes and entering when Real Madrid was down to ten men. In shots on target, Vinícius Júnior had two shots, neither on target, with an xG of 0.06; Diomandy had just one shot but it was on target, testing the goalkeeper, with an xG of 0.07.

In passing, Vinícius Júnior completed 8 of 11 passes (73% accuracy); his pass completion in the opponent's half was 78% and in his own half was 50%. Diomandy completed 9 of 10 passes (90% accuracy); his pass completion in the opponent's half was 89% and in his own half reached 100%. Diomandy had 31 touches compared to Vinícius Júnior's 22.

In one-on-one situations, Diomandy attempted 6 dribbles and completed 4 successfully, while Vinícius Júnior managed to beat his defender only once. Diomandy also drew 5 fouls compared to Vinícius Júnior's 1. The only statistic where Vinícius Júnior had an advantage was progressive carry distance: he advanced 93 meters compared to Diomandy's 72 meters. Their playing time also differed.

In defensive actions, Diomandy won 9 of 12 ground duels, while Vinícius Júnior won 3 of 6. Diomandy was never dribbled past; Vinícius Júnior was beaten twice and committed one foul. While one match's statistics cannot tell the complete story, both players' performances in this derby have drawn increased attention to the competition for the left winger position.

Ancelotti Faces a Difficult Choice

In the 54th minute of the derby, Ancelotti substituted Vinícius Júnior. The Brazilian accepted the change, acknowledged the coaching staff, and took his place on the bench. For Vinícius Júnior, who has long held a prominent position in the team, a substitution before the hour mark has become a rare occurrence in recent times.

Vinícius Júnior remains an important player for Real Madrid, but his long-established status may no longer be enough to guarantee a starting spot. Diomandy has begun to stake his claim based on his performances. This new signing, for whom Real Madrid paid a record transfer fee, is particularly strong on the left flank, Vinícius Júnior's usual position. Real Madrid has already suffered two defeats this season, adding pressure on Ancelotti's team selection decisions. After the international break, Real Madrid will face Villarreal. At that point, Ancelotti will need to decide between Vinícius Júnior and Diomandy.

Переведено ИИ.

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