Real Madrid: Alvaro Odriozola deserves more appreciation

Real Madrid right back Alvaro Odriozola is often forgotten, but the young fullback is a talented player who can be an asset for the team.

All it took was one spotty game for Real Madrid right back Alvaro Odriozola to lose his place in the rotation. Odriozola could have done better for Lago Junior’s goal when Los Blancos played against Mallorca last October, and his second yellow card ended all hopes of a comeback on the road. The right back never played again for Real in 2019-2020, getting loaned out to Bayern Munich, where he won a treble as their backup.

Odriozola didn’t play a big role in Bayern’s title-rich campaign, though he did have an assist in the Champions League knockout stages for Robert Lewandowski, whipping in a cross from the right. That’s his trademark: creating chances with his pace and crossing.

One of the fastest players in La Liga, Odriozola is an attacking threat down the right-hand side. After losing Achraf Hakimi to Inter Milan this summer, Odri is back behind Dani Carvajal, and while he isn’t as accomplished as Hakimi, he can offer that same speed and attacking impulse when needed.

It’s easy to put too much pressure on a young defender at Real Madrid, but Alvaro Odriozola has the tools to make an impact, even in a backup role. Carvajal was overworked by the end of the last season without any relief, and Real even had to play Lucas Vazquez at right back before winning the title. 

Alvaro Odriozola produced in the attack for Real Madrid last year

Odriozola is easily the better option. He had an assist against Granada before that poor performance against Mallorca. The 24-year-old Spanish international had other impressive attacking statistics in his four La Liga appearances, per WhoScored.com. Odriozola had 1.5 dribbles completed per game, 1.3 key passes per game, and 1.0 dribbles completed per game.

Those are strong numbers for a right back and show his attacking impact. He has a lot of work to do defensively, but judging by Real Madrid’s goal-scoring problems, a player with Odri’s pace and ball-carrying into the final third can be an asset. At the very least, there won’t be a big drop-off in attacking support whenever Odri comes in for Carvajal, even if he won’t be the same defensively.

It’s easy to get hung up on Odriozola’s mistakes and shortcomings. But think of it this way. Bayern Munich – a team who had Joshua Kimmich at right back, currently starts Benjamin Pavard, and is pursuing Ajax’s Sergino Dest – felt Odriozola was good enuogh for their treble push’s squad. No, he did not start over Pavard, but Bayern rated him enough to acquire him on loan as their backup. And he did provide a Champions League assist.

Odri is underrated. Attacking right backs with Odri’s speed and passing contributions are in short supply, so the young man has real value to Los Blancos. He should stick on the squad for the 2020-2021 season, and he should be part of Zinedine Zidane’s long-term plan as a member of the squad.