Diomande threatens Vinicius's reign
The Ivorian bursts onto the scene with force, puts the Brazilian's untouchable status in check, and the fans back his presence in the starting eleven with a resounding 93% of the votes
Yan Diomande is knocking on Vinicius 's door. And he is doing so forcefully. The Ivorian needed just 36 minutes to deliver one of the most positive pieces of news from the derby despite Madrid's defeat at the Metropolitano . He came on when Los Blancos were already down to ten men, with Atlético ahead on the scoreboard and the match practically uphill. Far from hiding, he took control of the left flank, assumed responsibility and ended up being one of the most active players in Mourinho's team in the second half.
The breakthrough is no coincidence. He had already shown signs against Elche and confirmed them at the Metropolitano . Now, moreover, the data is beginning to paint an uncomfortable picture for Vinicius. All of this comes after a process of adaptation, perhaps slower than expected , which has allowed the Blancos signing to gain confidence.
The fans back his place in the starting lineup on MARCA.com
But Diomande is not only being pushed into the starting eleven by his good performances and the alarming drop in form of Vinicius . The Ivorian also has the support of the fans, who back the "sorpasso" on Real Madrid's left flank and want Diomande to come in for Vinicius in the starting lineup. Because internet users, with their votes, not only want the latest signing to be a starter, they want him to be one in place of the Brazilian. To the question: Do you think Diomande should be a starter and who should he play for? 86% of the participants in the MARCA.com poll (with more than 50,000 votes) believe that Diomande should start in place of Vinicius. Another 7% support him being a starter, but in place of other players (Mbappé, Bellingham or Güler) . And finally, another 7% believe he should not be a starter. In short, 93% of the votes back Diomande's place in the starting lineup.
Diomande vs. Vinicius: the derby's stats
Diomande not only gives off better sensations. In several of the main derby metrics, he outperformed the Brazilian despite playing almost half an hour less and doing so with a numerical disadvantage. In front of goal, Vinicius finished with two shots, none on target, and 0.06 expected goals (xG). Diomande, on the other hand, only needed one attempt to test Oblak . His shot was on target and raised his tally to 0.07 xG , slightly above the Brazilian despite his far fewer minutes on the pitch.
The difference also shows up in circulation. Vinicius completed 8 of his 11 passes, a 73% accuracy rate, with 78% in the opposition half and 50% in his own half . Diomande was more accurate : 9 out of 10, a 90% success rate, with 89% in the opposition half and a perfect 100% in his own half. And there is one especially significant figure given that he is a footballer who came on when Madrid were already a man down: Diomande touched the ball 31 times compared with Vinicius’s 22 .
He was also more decisive in one-on-one situations. The Ivorian completed 4 of his 6 dribbles, while Vinicius only managed to beat his defender on one occasion . Diomande also drew five fouls, compared to one by the Brazilian. The only area of this comparison in which Vinicius came out on top was distance covered with the ball: 93 meters compared to Diomande’s 72 . A difference also influenced by the greater amount of time he remained on the pitch.
But where the Ivorian's emergence carries even more weight is in the work off the ball. Diomande won 9 of his 12 ground duels. Vinicius, 3 out of 6 . The new signing was also not dribbled past on any occasion, while the Brazilian was dribbled past twice and committed one foul. The numbers do not tell the whole story of a match, but they do sketch a trend. And the trend is hard to ignore... leaving an uncomfortable scenario.
Mourinho has a problem... and it's a good one
Diomande's introduction also produced an unprecedented image in recent times: Vinicius was substituted in the 54th minute, before an hour of play had passed . The Brazilian accepted the decision, greeted the coaching staff, and took a seat on the bench. This is where the real dilemma for the Portuguese coach appears.
Vinicius remains one of Real Madrid’s biggest stars , a footballer whose status has been built over the years. But that status no longer seems enough to guarantee him his place. Diomande has arrived to compete and, for now, he is earning the right to do so for real . In addition, the Ivorian seems especially comfortable starting from the left, precisely the area occupied by number 7. The most expensive signing in the club’s history is beginning to knock on the door of one of the most established players in the dressing room.
And the two defeats Madrid has suffered this season add even more pressure on Mourinho. After the international break, Villarreal will arrive . It will be then when the coach has to choose. Vinicius or Diomande: the untouchable or the newcomer.
