Real Madrid: Rodrygo excelled on the left-wing, but will he feature there again?
By Ben Sundock
Rodrygo Goes started on the left-wing and delighted as Real Madrid took care of business against Deportivo Alaves last week. Could he play there again soon?
There is no doubt that Real Madrid struck gold bringing both Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo over from Brazil as teenagers. The two prolific forwards have both adapted to life in Spain very quickly and have become key pieces of Zinedine Zidane‘s tactics this season.
With Marco Asensio missing the majority of the season with that horrible knee injury he suffered nearly a year ago, Rodrygo has been deployed primarily as a right-winger in the typical 4-3-3 formation.
However, the 19-year-old can play anywhere on the forward line if needed. He can play on that right flank, as a central attacking midfielder, as a striker, and even on the left-wing in the same position Eden Hazard and Vinicius Junior have occupied for most of the season.
Against Alaves, Rodrygo was brilliant cutting in on his dominant right foot and looked to create space through precise dribbling and speed. This was just the third match in league play that Zidane has started the young Brazilian on the left side and the first time since January 18th against Sevilla.
With Hazard not 100 percent and Vinicius a slight concern after a scare with the coronavirus, it was refreshing and very exciting to see Rodrygo on the left and Asensio in his normal spot on the right.
Rodrygo was once again deployed on the left flank when he replaced Isco against Granada and although he wasn’t nearly as influential, it was a solid showing from the rising Brazilian star.
There is a rather serious personnel conundrum that could prevent Rodrygo from making the switch from the right to the left. As I mentioned above, the top two left-wingers are without a doubt Hazard and Vinicius.
Isco can start as a winger before being asked to drift freely towards the middle, but it is hard to argue against those two seeing regular minutes. So, the best strategy for Zidane moving forward is to start Rodrygo on the right flank when Marco Asensio needs a breather or depending on the opponent.
Otherwise, he can be used as a super sub.
Next. Real Madrid hope Eden Hazard can play on Thursday. dark
Rodrygo has proven himself already in his first year with Real Madrid and the hope is that he will continue to develop at a high rate. Having forwards like Hazard, Asensio, Isco, Vini, and Rodrygo is a blessing for the manager and he needs to determine how best to use all of them heading into next season.