Vinícius Júnior's recent penalty miss against Valencia has once again placed the issue of penalty takers at the forefront of discussions at Real Madrid. This error adds to another miss in the Champions League Round of 16 against Atlético de Madrid, where the Brazilian also failed from the spot. With growing pressure on his shoulders and the recent success of Kylian Mbappé, who scored a Panenka-style penalty against Liverpool, the debate on who should take penalties for the White Club has intensified.

A Change in Penalty Takers? Ancelotti Weighs In

Vinícius' miss against Valencia was especially noticeable, as his shot was weak and poorly placed, allowing the opposing goalkeeper, Giorgi Mamardashvili, to save it with ease. Despite the importance of the penalty, which came with the game tied 0-0, Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid's coach, was clear about the situation. When asked if he would change the primary penalty taker, the Italian responded cautiously: "We will see," suggesting the matter is still under review.

Ancelotti did not hide his frustration with Vinícius' miss and the recent inconsistency among penalty takers. "I think it has been a complicated season for penalty takers. Bellingham missed against Valencia, Mbappé in Bilbao and Vinícius against Atlético de Madrid. I’ve tried to give him confidence, but he’s missed again," said the coach, who has tried to maintain the trust of his players, but the performance of the penalty takers has raised doubts.

Tension at the Santiago Bernabéu

For the second consecutive match, Vinícius Júnior experienced discontent from some of the Madridistas. During the game against Valencia, the Brazilian was booed several times, especially after a play where he lost possession near the touchline. Despite the boos, Ancelotti defended his player, assuring that the criticism does not affect him. "I think it doesn't affect him because he’s very focused on what he’s doing. He can play well or poorly, but he always gives his best," said the coach.

The Future of Penalties at Real Madrid

With Vinícius’ confidence now in question and players like Mbappé showing their ability from the penalty spot, Real Madrid may reconsider who should be the penalty taker for the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, the debate continues: Should Vinícius Júnior regain confidence and keep his role as the primary taker, or is it time to find a new alternative, such as Mbappé or Bellingham?

The 2024-2025 season remains crucial for the Madrid side, and the future of penalty takers could be one of the key factors in the club's ambitions for Ligue 1 and the Champions League.