Real Madrid defeated Real Valladolid 1-0 in a game that was a lot closer than it should have been. Here are five burning questions to mull over.
For the second straight game, Real Madrid came away with all three points despite squandering multiple great chances in front of goal. Except this time, they barely scraped by one of La Liga’s most out-of-form teams in Real Valladolid.
After Sunday’s game against Levante, Los Blancos will have the international break to figure out what tweaks to make. Until then, here are five burning questions for Zinedine Zidane and Co.
Has Alvaro Odriozola earned more playing time for Real Madrid?
According to WhoScored.com, Alvaro Odriozola recorded three dribbles completed for Real Madrid in the win over Real Valladolid, even though he was subbed out for Dani Carvajal in the 56th minute.
While Zinedine Zidane ultimately chose to take the former Real Sociedad man off the pitch for Carvajal, Odriozola looked impressive. He added a lot to Real’s attack. When he was caught out of position, Odri used his pace to recover and make sure Valladolid didn’t punish the home side.
Odriozola remains a work in progress, but he is an effective wing back who is always looking to create havoc in the opposition third. Between Odriozola and Marcelo, the younger of the attacking fullbacks was the more effective player for Los Blancos.
Playing time isn’t easy to come by with a player like Carvajal making regular starts, but Odriozola could be headed for his most appearances in a White kit this season.
Is Vinicius Junior Real Madrid’s best option over Eden Hazard?
Vinicius Junior is still developing, but the 20-year-old left winger is undeniably a difference-maker for Real Madrid. When he entered the game off the bench in the second half of Wednesday’s match, he injected new life into Real’s meandering attack, which was toothless on the left side before his introduction.
While Marco Asensio completed more dribbles, Vinicius was the winning goal-scorer. It’s the latest match in which Vinicius has taken part in a decisive goal for Real Madrid or made a game-changing performance off the bench. He did the former against Barcelona and the latter against Atletico Madrid in 2020.
Eden Hazard wasn’t in today’s squad due to a new injury which could cost him a few weeks leading into another Clasico. But Vinicius’ fine performance raises the question if he is the better option over Hazard anyway.
It’s a tough question. Last season, Real Madrid were at their best when Hazard was fully healthy in the squad, as the club scored more goals due to his attacking threat and star power, even if he wasn’t the one scoring the goals. But after his return from the injury, he wasn’t as productive or as impressive as Vinicius, whose dribbling and ball-carrying statistics are nearly as good.
Plus, Vinicius is the long-term future for Los Blancos, and that’s something Zinedine Zidane must keep in mind. With Hazard out, Zidane won’t have to make any big declarations anytime soon, but Vinicius is doing his best to make his case to be the everyday starter.
Why does Thibaut Courtois keep having to bail out Real Madrid?
It seems like Thibaut Courtois has to pull off a miraculous save every week to keep Real Madrid in matches. If it weren’t for his trio of saves against Real Valladolid, we’d be writing much different columns about Los Blancos in light of an upset loss in the home opener to one of La Liga’s least potent sides.
When Real Madrid give up chances, it seems like they completely implode, giving the opposition a free attempt at goal. It happened multiple times against Valladolid, multiple times against Real Betis, and once in the clean sheet at Real Sociedad when Alexander Isak ran at Courtois without a defender in sight. Courtois had to deal with these types of chances early in the 2019-2020 season when he wasn’t superhuman, and that’s what led to the overblown criticism.
The Belgian goalkeeper has a serious case for being the best in the world right now, though it’s hard to put anyone over Manuel Neuer. Even so, Courtois is in the discussion, and he added another marquee performance to his resume by winning the Man of the Match against Valladolid.
Real Madrid can’t keep asking him to play this well, though. Individually, the defensive players weren’t bad. Casemiro played well, Raphael Varane was great, and Sergio Ramos wasn’t terrible despite a few spotty moments. But because Los Blancos like to push up the pitch so much, they will always be vulnerable to counterattacks if they make a mistake with their passing. The culprits there are usually Casemiro and Ramos.
Is this the start of a good run for Luka Jovic with Real Madrid?
Luka Jovic earned back-to-back starts for the first time in his Real Madrid career, and it’s almost remarkable he never got a chance to build momentum last season. But, you know, first season and all.
Against Real Valladolid, Jovic built on his match against Real Betis. He looked much more threatening and more lively off the ball in a 4-4-2 alongside Karim Benzema. Jovic should have scored the opening goal but squandered a good chance. Later in the match, he had a sure-fire goal robbed by a stunning save of his header from a corner.
Jovic was the best attacker on the pitch for Los Blancos for much of the game. He impressed Madridistas with his movement and hunger, causing all sorts of headaches for the Real Valladolid defense. Meanwhile, Benzema had an off day, yet he wasn’t the one subbed off in order to shift to a 4-3-3.
Everyone knows Jovic needs more playing time. He needs it for his confidence, he needs it to get a better rapport with his teammates, and he needs it so Los Blancos truly know how much he can offer the club in the next few years.
It seems like the club is finally prepared to give Jovic more chances, especially with Borja Mayoral loaned to AS Roma for two years. Hopefully, Jovic gets some more minutes against Levante, and he continues to be a part of the rotation after the break.
Is Luka Modric back to being Real Madrid’s best midfielder?
If this is Luka Modric’s final season before his send-off from Real Madrid, then he is doing his best to make sure this is a special campaign. Modric is one of the best midfielders of his generation – if not THE best – and it is astounding how he manages to show this much energy at the age of 35. It can be the final 10 minutes of the match, and Modric will still create a chance with his pressing by recovering the ball in the final third.
He nearly scored a goal by doing this but unluckily hit the post. His command of the pitch was incredibly impressive. Modric led Los Blancos with six dribbles completed and four key passes against Real Valladolid, dominating the ball and creating loads of opportunities for his teammates to make the difference.
His commanding display against Valladolid comes after a game-changing substitute appearance at Real Betis and a virtuous performance at the Anoeta Stadium. Modric is picking up where he left off last season as a crucial part of Real’s midfield.
With Toni Kroos injured, Casemiro starting the season slowly, Martin Odegaard not starting every game, and Isco in and out of the lineup, Modric has a serious case for being Real’s best midfielder right now. Fede Valverde is close, but after that performance vs. Valladolid, it’s hard to deny Modric this distinction.