
Xabi Alonso played down any significance of benching Vinicius Junior for Real Madrid’s first Champions League match of the season against Marseille on Tuesday, insisting he “needs” every player at the club.
Vini Jr. began the contest among the substitutes, eventually put on the field midway through the second half. Alonso had instead opted to start with Rodrygo and Franco Mastantuono on the wings, with Arda Güler playing the No. 10 role behind central striker Kylian Mbappé.