Key Takeaways
- Vinicius Junior scored both goals in a 2-0 victory away at Espanyol to maintain Real Madrid’s slim title hopes.
- Barcelona must now wait until the El Clasico fixture next weekend for a chance to secure the La Liga championship.
- Manager Alvaro Arbeloa defended Kylian Mbappe’s dedication to the club despite the striker’s absence from the stadium.
Real Madrid earned a vital 2-0 win against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium on Sunday. The result means Barcelona cannot win the league title until they face Los Blancos in next weekend’s El Clasico.
Vinicius Junior was the star of the match. The Brazilian winger found the net twice to secure all three points in Catalonia. Manager Alvaro Arbeloa praised the forward’s performance, calling him brave, intelligent and a constant threat to the opposition defence. The coach also thanked Vinicius for his work rate off the ball.
Arbeloa substituted Vinicius late in the game to avoid injury ahead of the crucial clash with Barcelona. He described the player as a natural leader and a fantastic person who is loved by everyone in the squad.
The victory came without Kylian Mbappe, who was not present to watch his teammates. Arbeloa defended the French international when asked about his absence. He stated that he does not question the commitment of any player in his squad. He added that everyone at the club understands that no individual is bigger than Real Madrid itself.
Arbeloa also gave injury updates ahead of the El Clasico. Both Mbappe and club captain Dani Carvajal face races against time to recover. The manager hopes medical tests this week will bring positive news. He particularly wants Carvajal to return before the season ends so the defender can finish the campaign on the pitch.