Real Madrid: The candidates to start at right back against Atalanta

Alvaro Odriozola

On paper, Odriozola is the actual backup for Carvajal. He’s the second-choice RB in this team, and technically he should be the first choice for the RB position once Carvajal is injured. After returning from Bayern Munich, his main aim was to impress Zidane with his performances and regain his importance. But he has been struggling with injuries as well, and that hasn’t really helped his case.

He was out for more than 50 days due to a calf injury in October 2020, and now he’s out with a hamstring injury. There are chances of him returning before the Atalanta game, but even if he’s fit he might not get a chance, as Zidane has preferred Lucas over him this season. And even if it happens, it won’t be really surprising because he has shown nothing in the few chances he got vs Alcoyano, Levante, and Huesca.

Practically there are zero chances of Odriozola featuring in the Atalanta clash even if he returns from injury. But this isn’t good for the player and he must work hard to maintain his fitness. Because a manager will have faith in the player only when he can trust that he’ll be available when he needs him.