Antonio Raillo (foto: Screenshot)
Mallorca defender Antonio Raillo described Vinicius Junior as a "very decisive" player, stating that it’s normal for him to be fouled more often due to his playing style.
Mallorca centre-back Antonio Raillo addressed several questions about Vinicius Junior ahead of the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Real Madrid. Raillo highlighted Vinicius’s aggressive playing style, explaining why the Brazilian frequently finds himself on the receiving end of fouls. "He looks to dribble and get past the opponent. And it's normal that he receives more fouls, the defenders are the bad guys. That's why the focus is also a bit there," Raillo said, adding that he prefers not to delve further into the topic to avoid generating unnecessary controversy.
The Mallorca defender was noticeably annoyed by persistent questions about whether there is a specific strategy to unsettle Vinicius. "You want to look for controversy and we prefer not to get involved," he replied when asked if the team planned to provoke the Brazilian forward.
Raillo also commented on Mallorca’s recent setback in the Copa del Rey, where they were eliminated by Pontevedra. Despite the disappointment, he emphasized the importance of moving forward. "The defeat hurts, but we have to forget it. We have to keep looking forward. A bump in the road doesn't spoil the first round we've done in La Liga. Being here is a prize for everyone," he said, referring to the team’s impressive league campaign so far.
When asked about the expected support for Real Madrid from local fans in Saudi Arabia, Raillo dismissed its potential impact. "The away fans don't play. We are eleven against eleven and it depends on what we do," he concluded, showing confidence ahead of the crucial semi-final clash.