Henry's harsh criticism of Vinicius
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 05.11.25. | 13:05
Former Real winger Gareth Bale was also not happy with Real's performance
As Spanish media described it: ‘Back to square one‘. That was the sum up of all reports concerning a disappointing 1-0 loss to Liverpool in England. Unlike in El Clasico, Real players lacked aggressiveness, concentration, desire and intensity and were second best for almost 80 minutes while Thibaut Courtois was the man of the match. The whole of Spain is full of criticism for Xabi Alonso‘ men and their display, including their former player Gareth Bale.
The Welsh international was not happy with Vinicius and Mbappe in particular and thinks that the ‘classic nine‘ is needed.
"I think it was that spark that Henry and I were talking about, that we didn't see Mbappé and Vinicius in the final third work a bit of magic and bring Madrid back into the game. It was a bit disappointing that in that final third there really wasn't that kind of quality that you expect from Real Madrid players. It's frustrating, I think they overcomplicate things. Sometimes they just need to try and test the defender. They're clearly faster than anyone else on the pitch. But I think maybe they don't do it because there's no one else in the box waiting for the crosses. Maybe they need that reference number nine" said Bale for CBS after the game.
Former Arsenal captain Thierry Henry agreed with him and was specifically critical of Vinicius. But let‘s get to the whole attacking concept first.
"I don't understand it. You have to play with what's in front of you, you have to play the moment. And even if there's nobody in the box, as you said, at least the opposing team has dropped back 30 meters and then you can give the ball to your midfielder, who might have a shot from outside the area. But I don't know, sometimes people try to be clever when there's no need to be" he said.
Henry than focused on Vinicus who was, by all accounts, stopped by Conor Bradley, who is certainly not a world class full back.
"You have an opportunity at the beginning, for example, Vinicius had Conor Bradley for the first five or seven minutes, and then he let him breathe. Why do you let him breathe? Keep trying until he gets a yellow card and then he can't defend in the same way, but that didn't happen" said former Barcelona striker.
But that was not all. The Brazilian winger got another round of critique from the Frenchman.
"Vinicius received the ball in a one-on-one after a good battle in the first five minutes against Conor Bradley, and he passed it back to his left-back to receive it again... and now it was a one-on-three. Then he attacked alone against the three of them, and I thought, wait, do the math . You had a one-on-one, try to see what you can do with that. Why do you move the ball back so it comes back to you and you can play a one-on-three? I just don't understand it sometimes" he said.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 4
Wednesday
20.45: (7.00) Paphos (4.40) Villareal (1.47)
20.45: (8.00) Qarabag (5.30) Chelsea (1.35)
23.00: (3.20) Ajax (4.00) Galatasaray (2.15)
23.00: (2.05) Benfica (3.70) Leverkusen (3.70)
23.00: (5.50) Club Brugge (5.15) Barcelona (1.53)
23.00: (1.05) Inter (14.0) Kairat Almaty (45.0)
23.00: (1.45) Man.City (5.25) Dortmund (6.75)
23.00: (1.50) Newcastle (4.20) Ath.Bilbao (6.75)
23.00: (2.10) Olympique Marseille (3.75) Atalanta (3.50)
***odds are subject to change***
