Maldini and Carlos Martínez no longer hide: 'he is transparent, Xabi doesn't know what to do'

Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid put on a great show last night in the second semifinal of the Spanish Super Cup. Los blancos earned their place in the final, but they did it with more suffering than soccer. There was a lack of defensive intensity, accuracy in attack and, above all, judgment in the organization of play, elements that have been repeated in the latest matches of Xabi Alonso's team.

In spite of everything, Real Madrid survived again thanks to their goalkeeper. Courtois, once more, held the team up with several highly meritorious interventions that prevented Atlético from opening a gap. Two flashes, one from Fede Valverde in the first minute and another from Rodrygo, were enough to secure the place in the final, although the general feeling was one of enormous footballing weakness.

As if Los blancos's problems were not enough, Barça await in the final, arriving in a completely opposite run of form. Hansi Flick's men crushed Athletic in the other semifinal with convincing, dynamic soccer full of confidence. They are the big favorites to win the title, just at the moment when Real Madrid are transmitting the most doubts.

Xabi Alonso doesn't seem to find the antidote to stop his team's decline. The coach from Tolosa, who began the season with clear ideas and a recognizable playing model, has seen how his plan has been diluted as the months have gone by. The lack of response from some footballers, especially Vinícius Júnior, is starting to take its toll on the harmony in the locker room.

Maldini y Carlos Martínez ya no se esconden: "Vinícius es transparente, Xabi no sabe qué hacer"

During the broadcast of the match,  Maldini and Carlos Martínez perfectly reflected the moment Real Madrid are going through. Both were very critical of Vinícius Júnior's performance and attitude, pointing out his scant contribution both in attack and in defense. In fact, at one point in the second half they went so far as to say that "Vinícius es transparente", alluding to the Brazilian's exasperating passivity.

Meanwhile, from the touchline, Xabi Alonso was shouting himself hoarse as he tried to correct his position. He was asking him for more effort in pressing, more commitment in tracking back and more communication with his teammates. None of that came, and Simeone knew how to exploit it by placing Marcos Llorente on his flank, a move that allowed Atlético to attack with enormous ease for much of the match.

The problem with Vinícius Júnior is no longer a one-off. There have been 19 consecutive matches without him scoring and with an ever smaller contribution to the team's collective system. Xabi Alonso keeps trying to find a way to fit him in, but everything points to a mental block rather than a footballing one.

Vinícius Júnior will have another opportunity against Barça

Concern is already being felt around the club. Florentino Pérez trusted Vinícius to lead the attack alongside Mbappé, but the reality is that his current level is appalling. Xabi Alonso himself, according to sources close to the locker room, no longer knows what to do.

This Sunday, against Barça, Vinícius Júnior will have a new opportunity to redeem himself. It will be the perfect occasion to silence the ferocious criticism from Maldini, Carlos Martínez and everyone who sees him as the main source of instability at Real Madrid. If he doesn't respond, his continuity could be in serious danger: the Super Cup final could mark a turning point in his season.