There’s no doubt that Vinicius Junior is a world-class player. But he won’t last too long in the game if defenders aren’t punished for being too rough on him. Real Madrid’s star, who has sadly been a victim of vile racist abuse from some idiots in the stands, is also a victim of the officials’ lack of determination to punish overly eager defenders.##NAJAVA_MECA_7088120##Vini is the most fouled player in La Liga – and by some margin. He was fouled 89 times this season, 23 times more than the second most-fouled player in the Spanish top flight. But not even that is the biggest issue.”Referees don’t award fouls, and they don’t show yellow cards to defenders. Players can foul me 15 times and, in the end, when the game is in the 88th minute, the referee gives a yellow card. Players have to think of a way to stop me, and, by doing that, committing fouls and not being punished, it becomes easy for them. I don’t judge the players, but I judge the referees because they have to apply the rules correctly.”The Brazil international winger has been booked eight times this season, though – with most of those cards results of him appealing to the officials. Even though it looks like the youngster is asking for some protection – he says that’s not the case.Vinicius vs Espanyol:• 69 touches• 93% pass accuracy• 6 shots• 3 dribbles completed • 4 key passes• 1 goalMagic 🪄 pic.twitter.com/ybQtcNs54P— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) March 11, 2023 During his team’s match with Espanyol on Saturday, Vinícius went to win a ball, cutting off a dangerous counter-attack in Espanyol’s half. He brought Ruben Sanchez down before showing desperation when he saw the referee show him the yellow card. Bewildered at the punishment, the Brazilian put his hands to his face, dropped to the ground and made gestures of praying to the heavens. His teammate Toni Kroos had to calm him down, indicating that Vini still has a lot of growing up to do.”I’m not asking for anyone to protect me. Nobody has protected me in my life, except my teammates, my parents and the people that like me. I must try to keep a clear head. I make mistakes sometimes. I’m only 22 years old. I’ll make a lot of mistakes. But I want to make fewer mistakes and try to keep learning.”LA LIGA – ROUND 25FridayCadiz – Getafe 2-2 (1-0)/Sobrino 39, Alcaraz 82 – Unal 62, 90+16/SaturdayReal Madrid – Espanyol 3-1 (2-1)/Junior 22, Militao 39, Asensio 90+3 – Joselu 8/Elche – Valladolid 1-1 (0-1)/Tete Morente 90+6 – Larin 4/Celta – Rayo Vallecano 3-0 (0-0)/Aspas 51, 85, Ciss 52 og, /Valencia – Osasuna 1-0 (0-0)/Kluivert 74/Sunday16:00: (3.40) Mallorca (3.00) Sociedad (2.55)18:15: (1.79) Sevilla (3.70) Almeria (5.40)20:30: (2.09) Villareal (3.60) Betis (3.80)23:00: (3.60) Ath.Bilbao (3.25) Barcelona (2.30)Monday23:00: (3.70) Girona (3.30) Atl.Madrid (2.20)***odds are subject to change***
