Three takeaways from Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Fiorentina
By Ben Sundock
Borja Mayoral is taking steps in the right direction
I was very critical of the young striker, Borja Mayoral, in an article I wrote last week.
I still am not sure of him as the backup to Karim Benzema, but he starting to take steps in the right direction. In 72 minutes of action, Borja moved around the pitch nicely, putting himself in the right position for the game tying goal, and taking several good shots throughout the match.
In the second half, Borja busted through the Fiorentina back line and turned a through ball on net, just missing the shot over the cross bar.
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I was way more impressed with his passing and dribbling movement around the midfield. I was critical of his inability to drop out of the #9 position and hold the ball up like the Big Benz, and he actually did that a couple times in this match.
Another reason this is a good sign for Real Madrid fans is because Borja hasn’t featured in a match since the MLS All-Star Game where he scored the game winner. Last night in the Bernabéu, he bagged himself the game tying goal.
Borja needs to take advantage of the limited playing he’ll receive this season, and in the last two matches he’s featured in, he’s done just that.
I would put Mayoral in the top three of most impressive youth players who got some time in this friendly, alongside Theo and Dani Ceballos.
This doesn’t put to rest my anxiety about the striker depth on the team, but these were definitely steps in the right direction.