Real Madrid’s 21-match unbeaten streak is finally over and unfortunately it came in the Copa del Rey at the Santiago Bernabéu. Zinedine Zidane’s rotated squad simply couldn’t keep Real Sociedad at bay as the visitors bagged four goals and held on late to win 4-3.
There is a lot that can be said about this match but I will try to keep it as straight forward and unbiased as possible.
From the kickoff, Real Madrid looked good. They were passing the ball well, moving off the ball, and creating chances in front of Sociedad’s goal.
The biggest problem for The Whites was transitioning from offense back to defense and slowing down the quick counter-attacks of the visitors. Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard and Alexander Isak put on a master-class against center backs Sergio Ramos and Eder Militao as the two defenders looked flustered for the majority of the contest.
Loaning Martin Odegaard was a mistake
We Madridistas were taught a lesson today. “Don’t loan wickedly talented young players to high quality teams in Spain.”
The Norwegian international was stellar in his return to the Bernabéu where he has now played more matches as a visitor than as a member of the Real Madrid first team. And, funny enough, he scored his first ever goal in Los Blancos’ home ground in the 22nd minute after settling a rebound off of Alphonse Areola and slapping it back on net.
The young playmaker should’ve been credited for an assist early in the second half as well, but the goal was disallowed due to an offside after a VAR check. I think Odegaard played so well against his parent club it was an act of courtesy from Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil to bring him off as the first substitute before the hour mark.
All these statements from the player and his agent saying that he will stay in San Sebastian for another season on loan are ridiculous.
If tonight wasn’t proof enough that Real Madrid should be using this kid at the start of next season, they should just get rid of him. Imagine all the incredible combinations Zidane could use with Odegaard roaming either as a winger or as an attacking midfielder.
The team needs his creativity and wits in the team ASAP.
The Rodrygo – Vinicius debate leaves more questions than answers
Madrid fans are frequently guilty of comparing apples to oranges. They can never be happy when two players are performing well for the team. Debates always make their way to social media and the tabloids in the country and that is what we are witnessing with Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junior.
Purely because of their similar path to the Spanish capital and relationship before joining Los Blancos, the fans are always trying to make an educated guess as to which of the Brazilian’s is more deserving of minutes.
Zidane remains as unsure as the rest of us as he continues to rotate the two with regularity. Today, he chose Vini to start, but brought on Rodrygo with his side down 4-1 and 15 minutes to play.
Vinicius was great going forward and should’ve scored a goal had it not been for an offside decision from VAR. He did pick up an assist just moments after the goal was called off by setting up Rodrygo, so, it cancels out the missed opportunity.
This match only provided more questions if you are one of those people who is actually debating who is better (why does it matter they play on the same team?) and you likely won’t have those answers for another or year or two at least.
Areola shows his first signs of weakness
The sample size is small, but up until this match against Real Sociedad, I though Alphonse Areola was fantastic. Furthermore, I thought he should get some game time in La Liga just so Zidane could decide if he wants to straight up buy the goalkeeper from PSG this summer.
I am starting to reconsider that after what I saw in this match. The French international made just one save on the night on five Sociedad shots on target and looked nervous every time the visitors threatened.
Now, both of the Isak goals were simply too good and the Real Madrid defense was horribly out of position, but the first and fourth goals should have never happened. Areola allowed an enormous rebound on the first goal which fell right to Odegaard to finish.
On the fourth goal, Mikel Merino was lucky to slot the ball into the corner as Areola’s hand was not strong enough to knock the ball away.
It’s Thibaut Courtois’ show from here on out and no one should second guess it.