Real Madrid: 5 burning questions after 2-0 win over Alaves

2. Will Rodrygo Goes play on the left again?

Last Sunday against Athletic Bilbao, Real Madrid were missing something in the attacking third, though they did win the game due to Marcelo’s penalty. But against Alaves, Real were so much better, and they could have easily won by the double the 2-0 scoreline.

Rodrygo Goes was a huge difference-maker in the result, even if it was the man opposite of him, Marco Asensio, who scored the tap-in goal to make it 2-0. Against Bilbao, Rodrygo started on the right and Asensio on the left, which was a decision fans quickly panned. Why would the left-footed Asensio not start on the right? And Rodrygo, as he’s shown at Santos and Castilla, is much better on the left.

On Friday night, Rodrygo showed his full confidence when cutting inside on the left side, and that’s exactly what has been missing this season. Rodrygo was beyond words, embarrassing defenders and constantly charging into the box to make things happen. He and Ferland Mendy were bossing it.

The problem is that Real Madrid have only one better option than Rodrygo on the right, and that’s Asensio. And if Rodrygo plays on the left, what happens with Vinicius Junior and Eden Hazard who are also excellent players? It’s a “good” problem to have, but it’s a difficult question to answer nonetheless.