The Japan Times - Vinicius, Real Madrid must prove consistency in Atletico derby

Alvaro Arbeloa's side dispatched Manchester City in the Champions League last 16 with two victories after entering the tie as underdogs, and it could be a turning point for their whole season.

Under Xabi Alonso and then Arbeloa from January, Real Madrid have struggled to perform in a reliable fashion week-to-week.

French superstar Kylian Mbappe, who returned from a knee sprain on Tuesday against City as a substitute, pointed it out a few weeks ago.

"We have to be consistent, that's a problem we have to solve, we can't be good one day and then the next day not, that's not what a champion team does," Mbappe said after Benfica routed Madrid in January in Lisbon.

Since then Arbeloa's side have moved up a gear, mostly in Mbappe's absence, with their best outing of the season coming in the 3-0 home win over Pep Guardiola's shellshocked Man City last week.

In the return Vinicius Junior netted twice as Los Blancos triumphed 2-1 in Manchester, with the forward returning Arbeloa's faith in him.

The 25-year-old has upset Madrid's own fans at times this season, becoming a lightning rod for criticism, but they are behind him now after a superb start to 2026.

Madrid host rivals Atletico on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu, aiming to stay in touch with champions Barcelona, who currently hold a four-point lead.

Hansi Flick's side, who cruised to a 7-2 win over Newcastle in the Champions League on Wednesday, host Rayo Vallecano earlier on Sunday.

If Madrid can build on their performances against City by beating Diego Simeone’s Rojiblancos, it will give them a platform to build on after the upcoming international break.

Los Blancos face a stern test against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals and will be well positioned in the Spanish title race, provided they emerge triumphant against Atletico.

After a run of six goals in five games, Vinicius's scoring slowed down, failing to find the net in the next four matches, until his brace against City, assuaging fears his form was dipping again.

During a run of 16 games in the first half of the season Vinicius was frustrated in front of goal and it contributed towards Alonso's early exit.

Arbeloa is also yet to prove that the Brazilian and Mbappe can line up together without weakening Madrid as a whole, despite their supreme individual quality.

Against City, Madrid shone as a unit, with Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler contributing in terms of work-rate and pressing, aspects of the game which Mbappe in particular shuns.

Mbappe and Vinicius may even face each other next week when France take on Brazil in an international friendly, but before then Arbeloa could pair them in attack against Atletico.

Vinicius's goals and celebrations against Man City were an answer to the Premier League team's fans mocking him with a banner last season, referring to Rodri beating the Brazilian to the Ballon d'Or.

"Football is good for that, it always gives you another chance," said Vinicius.

Madrid have their own second chance this season, with the past fortnight defibrillating a campaign that seemed to be faltering again after back-to-back league defeats by Osasuna and Getafe.

The Atletico clash may be made easier by Simeone's side's focus being firmly on the cup competitions.

Third in La Liga, and 13 points clear of fifth place Real Betis, a top-four spot is virtually guaranteed.

Atletico will face Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals and Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final, which are their main chances of silverware this season.

Player to watch: Robert Lewandowski

The Polish veteran seemed bereft of form and confidence but came back to life with a brace as Barcelona demolished Newcastle at Camp Nou. Lewandowski will look to build on that when Rayo Vallecano visit this weekend as the business end of the season arrives.

Key stats

0 - Wins for Espanyol in 2026, they host Getafe on Saturday trying to change that

9 - Draws in the last 20 matches between Real Madrid and Atletico

111 - No player has more shots in Europe's five big leagues than Real Madrid's Mbappe

Fixtures

Friday (all times GMT)

Villarreal v Real Sociedad (2000)

Saturday

Elche v Mallorca (1300), Espanyol v Getafe (1515), Osasuna v Girona, Levante v Real Oviedo (both 1730), Sevilla v Valencia (2000)

Sunday

Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano (1300), Celta Vigo v Alaves (1515), Athletic Bilbao v Real Betis (1730), Real Madrid v Atlético Madrid (2000)

M.Matsumoto--JT