Real Madrid experienced an eventful international break, although not for the reasons fans anticipated. The media have successfully kept the club in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, and it is evident that the pressure is now increasing.

After two seasons without a major trophy, this was intended to be the campaign where Los Blancos got back on track and felt their presence on the global stage once more.

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However, they have not yet taken a single step toward that goal, securing three points only by scraping through game after game.

With the first international break now behind them, the club has crossed the season’s first milestone, but scrutiny will intensify. Slow adaptation can no longer be an excuse.

Tomorrow, the club returns from the international break to face Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu, and it will be intriguing to see if they can bounce back in La Liga with a win.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Villarreal.

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Vinicius Jr. under heavy pressure

The season is becoming more complicated for Vinicius Jr. as the weeks pass, and it is time to question when the player will begin to sink further.

Already in a slump in form over the past two seasons, the new campaign began disastrously for the Brazilian star as he no longer has the same impact in the final third for club or country.

Vinicius was stellar at the FIFA World Cup, and many saw it as the redemption arc for the player. He returned to Real Madrid, however, and resumed struggling once more.

Over the past few weeks, his performances have gone from bad to worse. Just when one thought the international break could be his redemption again, he has only dropped an even poorer chain of displays with Brazil.

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Against Australia and even India, the player looked absolutely uninspiring, lost for ideas and disconnected from the play. He now returns to Real Madrid even lower on morale, and it remains to be seen what Jose Mourinho makes of the situation.

Ahead of the international break, there was already talk of Yan Diomande potentially taking Vinicius’ starting spot on the left-flank with Arda Guler starting down the right.

If Vinicius cannot step up in the coming games, that theory may well end up becoming a reality.

Eyes on Kylian Mbappe

While Vinicius Jr. made the headlines during the international break for one reason, Kylian Mbappe caught the media’s attention for a different one. However, the Frenchman is under the same pressure as his teammate.

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After leaving the French national team camp following an injury, the player went on vacation with his friends and partner.

On vacation, he even shared clips of himself cycling, which would be acceptable in any scenario except a world where he is suffering from a knee injury.

The development, needless to say, did not go down with Real Madrid fans, French fans, or the media, and a lot has been said about the player in recent days, including a massive smear campaign.

Mourinho knew of Mbappe’s vacation and even sanctioned the same, but fans cite Mbappe’s actions as a lack of professionalism and commitment to the club.

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Mbappe has largely performed for Real Madrid this season, but he will be under pressure tomorrow once more as he must prove that he is indeed well and truly past his injury and that his small getaway did not affect his fitness.

After all, the period ahead will be challenging and will need Mbappe to be at his best week in and week out.

An unforgiving period ahead

Real Madrid lost their last game before the international break, which was against Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby, and are currently six points behind Barcelona, who continue to sit on a perfect record.

What lies ahead of them across all competitions, however, is a serious challenge that could already make or break the club’s season.

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Tomorrow’s game against Villarreal, in that sense, is just the start of a grueling month where Los Blancos have multiple high-stakes games against challenging opponents.

They take on AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League midweek in a tricky game, and then have an in-form Sevilla who are just two points behind them in the league standings. Thereafter, Real Madrid take on RB Leipzig and then FC Barcelona in La Liga.

Any slip-ups over the next month could see the team nine, or even potentially twelve, points behind Barcelona, who are showing no signs of slowing down. Getting on track, thus, is imperative.

After a slow start, it is thus high time Mourinho’s side wakes up and smells the coffee, for there is no more time to waste. They have looked unconvincing for far too long, and it is now time to take matters in their own hands.