{"id":5257,"date":"2026-09-22T17:41:21","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T17:41:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sportbulletin.top\/?p=5257"},"modified":"2026-09-22T17:41:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T17:41:21","slug":"la-liga-icon-critical-of-real-madrid-duo-after-derby-defeat-takes-much-more-away-than-he-gives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportbulletin.top\/?p=5257","title":{"rendered":"La Liga icon critical of Real Madrid duo after derby defeat: \u2018Takes much more away than he gives\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Real Madrid<\/a> have already lost two of their opening seven La Liga<\/a> matches, against Real Betis and Atletico Madrid, leaving Jose Mourinho\u2019s side under significant pressure in the early stages of the campaign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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After all, Barcelona have won all of their matches and have taken a six-point lead at the top of the table, whereas Los Blancos<\/em> currently sit fourth in the standings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The defeat to Atletico Madrid this past weekend, in particular, has drawn a lot of criticism towards the team, although Mourinho did not accept responsibility for the defeats in his post-match press conference, instead pointing to the referees.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Nevertheless, the team\u2019s performances have consequently come under scrutiny, with former Real Madrid star and La Liga icon Santiago Canizares<\/a> offering his assessment on COPE (via SPORT<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Strong criticism of Vinicius Jr. and Marc Cucurella<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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The former Real Madrid goalkeeper was also highly critical of Vinicius Jr.\u2019s current performances.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Brazilian is now one of the club captains, but Canizares believes his contribution has been insufficient<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Vinicius has been poor this season. (Photo by Denis Doyle\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cHe\u2019s a player who, at the moment, and especially with the captain\u2019s armband, I think takes much more away than he gives,\u201d<\/strong> he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Canizares also questioned the form of Real Madrid summer signing, Marc Cucurella, arguing that the left-back has not reproduced the level he showed with Spain. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cHe isn\u2019t the player we saw at the World Cup,\u201d<\/strong> the former shot-stopper stated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The former goalkeeper was nevertheless keen to distinguish Cucurella\u2019s current form from his overall quality, saying:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m not questioning him because his ability is beyond doubt, but he isn\u2019t currently the player we saw at the World Cup, at the Euros or with the Spanish national team in general.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Canizares backs Real Madrid\u2019s complaints<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Meanwhile, Canizares also addressed the refereeing decisions made by Ortiz Arias, particularly two challenges involving Real Madrid players that could have resulted in red cards, saying: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cMourinho is right. Madrid supporters are right that the referee did not help them.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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However, the former goalkeeper identified what he considers to be a broader issue with the club\u2019s sporting planning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Canizares criticised the fee paid for Yan Diomande. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He pointed to the failed attempt to sign Rodri, the decision to spend more than \u20ac140 million on Yan Diomande and the renewal of Vinicius.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Canizares was particularly critical of the fee paid for Diomande, as he said: \u201cHe\u2019s a good player, but they paid twice what he\u2019s worth.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He added that, in his view, the deal was connected to negotiations involving Vinicius and his representatives. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cIt was a price that had to be paid for Vin\u00edcius\u2019 representatives to say yes to the Vin\u00edcius offer,\u201d<\/strong> he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Ca\u00f1izares\u2019 comments come as Real Madrid look to respond to their difficult start and address a number of concerns surrounding Mourinho\u2019s squad once the international break is over.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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