Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw with Elche on November 23, 2025, wasn’t just another stalemate in LaLiga—it was a flashpoint. Without Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior in the starting lineup, the team looked flat, disjointed, and strangely passive for 72 minutes. The match at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero in Elche, attended by 31,024 fans, ended with the kind of chaos that only a late equalizer can bring: bloodied goalkeeper Edgar Badía screaming for a foul, a scrambled goal off a free kick, and a manager standing firm amid mounting criticism. This wasn’t just about tactics. It was about tension.
Why Bench Vinicius? The Silent Rebellion
Xabi Alonso didn’t just leave Vinicius on the bench—he left out Eduardo Camavinga, Brahim Díaz, and Federico Valverde. Four of Real Madrid’s most dynamic offensive threats. That’s not rotation. That’s a message. According to Managing Madrid, these players had been labeled "allegedly dissenting voices"—a quiet but growing undercurrent of frustration within the squad. Vinicius, in particular, had started 14 of the last 15 matches. His exclusion wasn’t a surprise because of fatigue. It was a surprise because it happened at all."Some players feel they’re not being heard," one source close to the dressing room told E-noticies.cat after the match. "This isn’t about form. It’s about respect. And Xabi is sending a signal."
The Match: A Fight for Survival
Elche, fighting to avoid relegation, came out with fire. In the 53rd minute, Ángel Félix Febas Sánchez turned a backheel from Pablo Valera Sánchez into a close-range finish past Thibaut Courtois. Real Madrid, without their usual spark, looked like a team playing on autopilot. Arda Güler and Marco Asensio Willemsen missed golden chances in the first half. André Silva of Elche even passed up a one-on-one with Courtois, opting to find Rafa Mir—a decision that ultimately backfired, but still highlighted Real Madrid’s defensive fragility.Then, at 72 minutes, Vinicius entered. The stadium stirred. He was quick, hungry, and visibly frustrated. Minutes later, he found space, cut inside, and had a clear path to goal. Instead of shooting, he passed to Kylian Mbappé. The cross was cleared. It wasn’t a mistake—it was a statement. He wasn’t just playing for the team. He was playing for his place.
Real Madrid equalized in the 78th minute through Jean-Clair Todibo Huijsen, capitalizing on a corner clearance blunder. But Elche struck again in the 84th minute when former Real Madrid academy product Gonzalo Iván Rodríguez Sánchez unleashed a thunderous strike from 20 yards. The home crowd roared. Then, in the 87th minute, James Bellingham—yes, the son of the England captain—pounced on another defensive mess to bundle in the equalizer. Badía, the Elche keeper, was still arguing for a foul. The referee waved it off. The game ended. The controversy didn’t.
Alonso’s Defense: "It Was Tactical, Not Personal"
The next day, Xabi Alonso addressed the media. "We’re managing minutes, form, and team balance," he said. "Vinicius has played 14 consecutive games. He’s physically taxed. We needed a different rhythm in the second half. He gave us that. That’s all."But the numbers don’t lie. Vinicius had been averaging 1.8 shots per game this season. In the 14 matches he started, Real Madrid won 11, drew 2, lost 1. In the one match he was rested before this one—a 3-0 win over Girona—he didn’t play at all. The team scored 3 goals. The difference? They had Mbappé, Bellingham, and Rodrygo. The same trio that struggled to create space without Vinicius’s pace pulling defenders wide.
"It’s not about discipline," Alonso added. "It’s about making sure we’re sharp for the next six months. We’re not in a sprint. We’re in a marathon."
Florentino’s Reward: A Puzzle Without a Piece
Here’s the twist: Florentino Pérez, Real Madrid’s president, reportedly plans to reward Vinicius for his professionalism after the match. No details. No contract extension announced. No public statement. Just a quiet nod from the top. Is this a bribe? A peace offering? Or a sign that the club is preparing for a bigger move—perhaps a new contract, or even a public apology? The silence speaks louder than any press release.Meanwhile, Elche’s fans celebrated like they’d won the league. For the first time since returning to LaLiga in 2013, they held Real Madrid to a draw at home. "We knew they’d be tired," said Elche captain Álvaro Núñez García. "We just had to stay organized. And when they left Vinicius out? We knew they were scared."
What This Means for Real Madrid’s Title Hopes
Real Madrid still sits near the top of LaLiga, but they’re not dominating anymore. They’ve drawn four of their last eight league games. Their goal difference is shrinking. The defense, once rock-solid, looks brittle. And now, the squad is fractured—not by injury, but by perception."This isn’t about Vinicius," said former Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas on a Spanish sports podcast. "It’s about what happens when a manager loses the locker room. Players don’t need to agree with every decision. But they need to believe in the vision. Right now, that vision is unclear."
With Elche’s draw, Real Madrid’s lead in the title race shrank to just three points over Barcelona. And with Champions League fixtures looming, the margin for error has vanished.
What’s Next?
The next match? A home clash against Atlético Madrid on December 1. Expect Vinicius back in the starting XI. But will he play like he’s still angry? Or will he play like he’s been forgiven? Alonso’s next move will be watched more closely than any goal.Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Vinicius Jr. benched if he’s one of Real Madrid’s best players?
While Vinicius Jr. had started 14 of 15 matches this season, Xabi Alonso cited physical fatigue and tactical rotation as reasons. However, multiple reports suggest his exclusion was part of a broader benching of players labeled as "dissenting voices," including Camavinga, Díaz, and Valverde. The move appears less about fitness and more about restoring discipline after perceived internal friction.
How did Real Madrid manage to score twice without Vinicius in the starting lineup?
Real Madrid relied on set pieces and defensive errors from Elche. Jean-Clair Todibo scored from a corner clearance, and James Bellingham pounced on another defensive mix-up. Without Vinicius stretching defenses, the attack lacked width and pace, leading to fewer clear chances—despite controlling possession. Their goals were opportunistic, not engineered.
What impact does this draw have on Real Madrid’s LaLiga title chances?
The draw cut Real Madrid’s lead at the top of LaLiga to just three points over Barcelona. With four draws in their last eight matches and a leaky defense, their title campaign is now vulnerable. They’ve dropped crucial points against mid-table teams like Elche, and with tough fixtures against Atlético and Barcelona ahead, every point matters more than ever.
Is there evidence of a dressing room rift at Real Madrid?
Yes. Reports from Managing Madrid and Spanish media suggest key players like Vinicius, Camavinga, and Díaz have been vocal about playing time and tactical roles. Their simultaneous benching was interpreted as a disciplinary response. While no open mutiny has been confirmed, the pattern of benching high-profile players after underwhelming performances points to underlying tension.
Why would Florentino Pérez reward Vinicius after he was benched?
Florentino Pérez’s decision to reward Vinicius—though details remain undisclosed—likely signals a strategic move to quell public backlash and maintain the player’s loyalty. With Vinicius’s contract nearing its end, the club may be preparing a new deal to avoid a potential fallout. It’s a classic Real Madrid balancing act: discipline in public, reconciliation behind closed doors.
What does Elche’s performance say about their survival chances?
Elche’s draw against Real Madrid is their most significant result since returning to LaLiga in 2013. It gives them vital points in their relegation battle and proves they can compete with elite teams when organized. With six games left and only three points above the drop zone, this result could be the turning point they need—especially if they replicate this defensive discipline against other bottom-half sides.
