Vinicius in Trouble: UEFA's New Card System Puts the Brazilian in the Spotlight

Vinicius Júnior missed the match on Wednesday against Stade Brest (0-3) and is set to miss several more matches if Real Madrid ultimately advances past the playoffs to the round of 16. UEFA updated the disciplinary regulations for the Champions League this season, along with the tournament format. Unlike previous editions, players will face a one-match suspension after receiving three non-consecutive yellow cards.

The Brazilian received a one-match ban on Wednesday after being cautioned against Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, and RB Salzburg. However, starting from the 'play-off', the '7' will be much more exposed, as just two yellow cards will see him sidelined again. In other words, if Vini is cautioned in both playoff matches and Madrid advances to the round of 16, the winger would miss the first match of the next knockout round.

The same will happen if the player from Sao Gonçalo is cautioned in one of the playoff matches and in the first leg of the round of 16, which would mean he would be suspended for the return leg. From here on out, up to any stage that Madrid reaches (except for the final), the 24-year-old forward will receive a one-match suspension for every two cautions. Vinicius has accumulated 10 yellow cards and 1 red card in 26 appearances this season.

Six Madrid Players at Risk of Suspension for the First Leg of the Playoff

Similarly, six other Real Madrid players are at risk of suspension for the first match of the 'play-off' in February. Antonio Rüdiger, Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchoauaméni, and Endrick Felipe each have two yellow cards, meaning they will be suspended for one match if they receive another caution. Yellow cards do not reset after the end of a phase, so each of the mentioned players will be on 'thin ice' from now on.

After finishing eleventh in the league phase, the 'merengues' are waiting for Celtic or Manchester City as potential rivals in the playoffs. If they advance to the round of 16, they will have to face Atlético de Madrid (5th) or Bayer Leverkusen (6th) in mid-March. Besides Vinicius, Lucas Vázquez also received three yellow cards in the group stage, which led to his suspension for the match on matchday 7 against Salzburg (5-1).