Why isn’t Vinícius Júnior playing for Real Madrid against Elche?

Real Madrid take on Elche on Sunday and head coach Xabi Alonso has gone for a very different starting eleven. The big news is that Vinícius Júnior starts on the bench for Los Blancos.

The Madrid starting XI is: Courtois; Trent, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras, Fran García; Güler, Ceballos, Bellingham; Rodrygo and Mbappé.

On the bench, Madrid have Lunin, Mestre, Mendy, Valverde, Camavinga, Endrick, Gonzalo, Brahim and Vinícius.

Alonso has opted for Álvaro Carreras as a third center-back on the left. The left flank, therefore, will be occupied by Fran García, who had only started one match since the beginning of the season. On the right, Trent Alexander-Arnold returns.

Ahead of the game Alonso explained: “Without a doubt, we’ve used this break with Trent to train more, both individually and collectively, to get him back in shape after his injuries. Obviously, with him in better form, we have more options to play in that position.”

Against Rayo Vallecano, Fede Valverde played in that position. Against Elche, the Uruguayan will start on the bench. Rodrygo, Vinícius’ international teammate, replaces him in the starting eleven.

In midfield, it seemed Eduardo Camavinga would return to play in Tchouameni’s place but it’s Dani Ceballos who partners Arda Güler in midfield.