Real Madrid traveled to the Carlos Tartiere Stadium to face Real Oviedo on Sunday for Matchday 2 of the 2025-26 La Liga season after taking all three points in their opener. However, questions quickly arose when one of the team’s biggest stars, Vinicius Junior, was left out of the starting lineup.
The main reason for Vinicius Junior’s absence is purely a technical decision by Xabi Alonso. The Spanish manager believes the Brazilian’s performance has dipped in recent months, and today he will give an opportunity to Rodrygo Goes, who had been close to the exit door but will start on the left wing.
Another reason behind the shake-up in the starting XI is load management. Real Madrid had to cut their vacation short due to their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 back in June and July, and the staff is balancing workloads at the start of the season.
*Developing story…
