Real Madrid: 4 things to be positive about in 2021
The heart of Lucas Vazquez
Throughout the 2019-2020 season, I was highly critical of Lucas Vazquez. I could have never envisioned Vazquez entrenching himself as the best man for the right wing position in 2020-2021 after having knocked him repeatedly last season.
But Vazquez has proven me – and so many others – wrong this season. We should all be glad he has made us stuff our faces with crow, because his excellence in 2020-2021 has been crucial to the club.
It all started when Vazquez entered El Clasico as a substitute right back due to Nacho’s injury. Although Nacho would prove useful as a center back later in the season, his lack of pace and attacking verve hurt the team badly offensively. Vazquez was thus a game-changer at the Camp Nou, and he was even a stalwart defensively,
Vazquez would have some shaky moments at right back through no fault of his own, as they were simply small errors common for a player at an unfamiliar position. By and large, he was a savior, really, with Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Odriozola out.
Carvajal’s return did not mean Vazquez’s absence, though. Vazquez moved over to the right wing position, taking over for a struggling Marco Asensio. Vazquez saved the day for Real Madrid at that position, too.
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Between El Clasico and the win over Gladbach, Vazquez has shown up big-time in two of Real’s biggest games of the season. His contract may be expiring, but he has shown the world that he belongs as a key squad player. Few can match his heart, and in addition to the intangibles, the production on the field is inarguable. He is a key player for Real Madrid in 2021, and while that may surprise a few fans, that reads like a simple statement of fact to many others.