Real Madrid At Real Sociedad: 3 Key Battles To Watch On Sunday

Real Madrid RW Rodrygo Goes vs. Real Sociedad LB Nacho Monreal (?)

Real Madrid won’t have Marco Asensio available due to injury, and Nacho Monreal of Real Sociedad could miss the game with an injury of his own. But Monreal is still tentatively expected to play and make his 2020-2021 season debut.

If he doesn’t, Rodrygo Goes will have a great opportunity to cause a whole lot of headaches for Real Sociedad’s defense. Rodrygo had an assist as a right winger in the team’s most recent game against Manchester City, doing his best to salvage something in a tough Champions League knockout stage road loss.

An accurate passer and a tactically intelligent player, Rodrygo can stretch Real Sociedad wide or threaten goals inside the box. Rodrygo vs. Monreal would be a battle of two smart, composed players, but Rodrygo vs. Monreal’s backup Aihen Munoz could significantly swing the balance of the game to the visitors.

Real Madrid will rely on Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo more this season after not being able to make any signings, and both men have opportunities to carve out bigger roles. Rodrygo is better on the left than on the right, but in a favorable matchup, he can still be a game-changer on the right side and more than just a steady, consistent piece of the XI.