Talented teenager Vinicius Junior has credited Santiago Solari with providing a crucial calming presence in the formative stages of his Real Madrid career.
Madrid appointed Solari as head coach on a permanent basis this week following a successful audition for the role in an interim capacity.
Four successive victories made for a compelling case and the successful integration of his Castilla pupil Vinicius helped Solari's case.
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The 18-year-old, a bit-part player under Lopetegui, started the new man's first match in charge in Copa del Rey and produced a match-turning cameo in the late defeat of Real Valladolid earlier this month.
"Solari has always helped me since I arrived in Madrid. Thanks to him, I have a clear mind and I concentrate only on the game. That's what he has done with me in the first team, and I'm happy," Vinicius said, as quoted by Marca .
Vinicius has appeared in five competitive matches for Madrid since switching from Flamengo. He made his Champions League debut off the bench in the 5-0 crushing of Viktoria Plzen, supplying the assist for the final goal.
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