Real Madrid: 5 players who must shine against Deportivo Alaves

RW Rodrygo Goes

Rodrygo Goes is definitely better on the left side than on the right, and he scored his goal against Inter Milan from the left. But for Zinedine Zidane, the issue is that nobody who is regularly playing on the right side is performing well. Marco Asensio has been so disappointing to start the season that Lucas Vazquez has legitimately been a better option on the right-hand side.

The problem with Vazquez is that he doesn’t meet the Real Madrid standard as a regular starting right winger. We don’t need to rehash this, but Vazquez is a perfect bench player. Los Blancos need an alternative on the right, especially since Alaves will sit back and defend deep.

Rodrygo may not be ideal on the right, but he is sufficiently good. Recall that he scored against Inter at home as a right-sided winger, burying Vinicius Junior’s pass to win the game 3-2 for Los Merengues.

He also plays at his best on the right when Eden Hazard is on the left. Hazard draws so much attention that Rodrygo gets the space he needs, and he finishes. His passing, intelligent movement, and technical quality in the box make him the best option. Real Madrid need to lean on him.