Real Madrid phenom Rodrygo was named in the Starting XI for the vital Champions League fixture at Galatasaray, and this is his chance to have a star-making performance in front of the whole world.
It has been a troublesome Champions League campaign for Real Madrid thus far, as Los Blancos have failed to win either of their first two games. After being decimated by PSG at the Parc des Princes, Real tied to Club Brugge 2-2, needing a furious second-half comeback just to rescue a point at the Bernabeu against heavy underdogs.
There is no margin for error for this Tuesday’s fixture against Galatasaray, who are the biggest club in Turkey and will have the Istanbul crowd fired up for the opportunity at an upset. Just this past weekend, Real suffered a 1-0 upset on the road against newly-promoted Mallorca, so they are in need of a bounce-back win.
Rodrygo could be the difference-maker for Real Madrid. The 18-year-old Brazilian forward is intelligent beyond his years with boundless natural technical ability and an eye for goal that few young wide players possess.
Although Zinedine Zidane has been doing his best to ease Rodrygo along, the man is too talented to be denied. And Real are desperate for a rising star in attack, especially with Eden Hazard injured.
📝 Our starting XI 🆚 @Galatasaray!#RMUCL | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/QDWCUlDqRx
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 22, 2019
Real Madrid have officially named Rodrygo as a starter for this pivotal matchup against Galatasaray. A loss would be devastating, as it could be a step towards Los Blancos failing to qualify for the knockout stages. That is almost unthinkable.
Last month, Rodrygo scored the second-fastest debut goal in Madrid history as a substitute against Osasuna, and it was a sublime solo effort from the former Santos star. Rodrygo has the quality to be the difference against Galatasaray, and it is notable that he is starting over Vinicius Junior, who had a decent-but-flawed display as a left winger.
Rodrygo may be a better option on the right than Vinicius, who clearly prefers to start on the left. With Eden Hazard returning to the lineup and entrenched on the left side of the formation, Rodrygo’s inclusion makes all the more sense. Beyond that, he may be a better player than Vinicius, especially when looking at the skill-set he offers specific to Madrid’s needs.
Lucas Vazquez’s injury has opened the door for Rodrygo on the right side, and while it is imperative not to place too much pressure on such a young player, his talent is undeniable. If he can have a star-making performance against Galatasaray, perhaps even grab a goal as he did against Osasuna, then he’ll be well on his way to forcing Zidane’s hand into making him a regular.