Real Madrid secured another three points against the Lions of the Basque Country, Athletic Club in the mid-week. With that, they add to their lead at the summit of LaLiga Standings with 36 points off 15 matches. As good as that sounds, Real Madrid played woefully last time out. There was no visible off-the-ball shape which is why they struggled defensively. Athletics’ finishing woes are what came to Los Blancos’ rescue.
Talking of the season, Real Madrid has been the dominant attacking side in LaLiga, they are outscoring tough oppositions narrowly and also putting up humiliating scorelines against easier opponents. As such, Real Madrid’s forwards deserve their due credit. Especially, the duo of Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior who are coming up with the goods, match after match. The duo has shined so brightly that it has been one of the best partnerships in Europe this season easily.
The question area, however, has been the third player who joins these two in the attacking trident. With no permanent candidate yet, here are how the available right-wing options rank in my opinion as we quickly approach the New Year.
6. Marco Asensio (Honorary Mention)
Marco Asensio is battling quite many battles right now. He needs to perform not only to ensure a spot in the first XI but also there’s a contract extension on the cards with opinions divided on should or shouldn’t Real Madrid extent Marco Asensio’s stay. At such a tense time, Marco Asensio hasn’t been able to handle the pressure well.
He had a vintage outing against his boyhood club Mallorca, becoming the first Hat-trick hero of the season for Real Madrid. But, that was that. He scored another against Granada that makes him the third-highest goal-scorer in the squad after Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior. But, that doesn’t speak about how many chances he has missed or how many mistakes he commits on the ball.
He goes anonymous in most matches and is lethargic on the ball. His inability to track back or run at the defense with pace puts a lot of pressure on his wider partner, usually, Dani Carvajal and that isn’t ideal. Carvajal is a player prone to injuries as we saw from last season and the start of 2021-22. Overall, Marco Asensio who surprisingly is the starter in Rodrygo’s absence is, in my opinion, the least favorable option for Carlo Ancelotti.
5. Eden Hazard
It is so hard to look at Eden Hazard sitting in the dugout and watching the match from the sidelines. He wasn’t a player who was destined for such a career with Los Blancos. He was the replacement for the magnificent Cristiano Ronaldo. Alas, he hasn’t even been able to achieve half of the expectations that were set on him.
In my opinion, however, he is a special player who can pull off some magical plays. He started as a first-choice this season, then was overshadowed by the electric Vinicius Junior, and soon after missing a few matches. Other players like Asensio and Rodrygo made their own cases making the Italian boss favor other options over him. It is sad and at the same time beyond my understanding as to why Hazard isn’t given his minutes.
Carlo Ancelotti has clearly stated that he prefers other players over him. But, it isn’t like he was playing badly, he had a brilliant flick assist for Benzema to start proceedings for the season. And, in the opening games, he played some delicious linkups with Benz. However, it is clear that he isn’t the coach’s preference and I have no option but to rank him this lower down in the list.
4. Federico Valverde
Yes, he is not an orthodox right-winger. But, he proved pretty well that he can handle that responsibility very well. In fact, Fede Valverde can be a brilliant transitioning RW/RM. He showed it last season under Zinedine Zidane at times when he played Valverde in the attacking trident. He has also shown it this season at times when tactical shifts in between matches asked of him to play up front.
In my opinion, he’d be a better option than Marco Asensio. Valverde is young, has pace, and a lot of intelligence in terms of decision making and leading a move through its progressive stage. He’d also help out Dani Carvajal who can step back from covering for Asensio’s lethargy and stick to his own part of the play which is his core strength.
3. Lucas Vazquez
On number three, we have a player who has been through a lot of transitions. First, Lucas Vazquez was made into a right-back after Dani Carvajal’s season was wrecked by injuries in 2020-21. A hard worker and true club servant that he is, he gave his best to cover for the injured Spaniard. And, he did brilliantly.
His contract was deservedly extended by the Club and suddenly, it left like the new boss didn’t trust Vazquez enough in the defensive role. As is seen now, he has appeared in that RB position as a second-half substitute several times now in the season.
He also started in attack twice in the Champions League this season and he did a brilliant job there as well. It’s weird how much this player can do, he defends, he attacks and he is listed as a midfielder on the club website. I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts his shifts at midfield too!
He shined in the game against Shakhtar Donetsk at home. Although he didn’t have a direct goal contribution, he was involved in Real’s moves and had a great game passing wise putting in accurate and crisp exchanges in the final third to trouble the Ukrainians. Once again, Lucas Vazquez in attack would be my pick over Asensio any day.
2. Gareth Bale
When the Welsh Dragon is fully fit, he is an undisputed starter. There is no second thought to that. But, the question is when is he going to return? Gareth Bale played well in the first few games and was undoubtedly one of those players who had an encouraging start under Ancelotti. He also was sharp in the preseason club friendlies against AC Milan and Rangers.
He marked his return to LaLiga with a clinical finish of a Karim Benzema assist in the second game of the season against Levante. But he couldn’t carry on in the same manner as the subsequent game against Betis would be the Welshman’s last game for Los Blancos so far. He did return for Wales in the qualifiers and walked away with another injury.
Now, there is no guaranteed time for his return. But when he did play we saw some of his vintage tricks. Moreover, he is possibly playing his last season with Real Madrid and fans would like nothing more than seeing the Welsh Dragon in his full glory again even if it is for the last time. He was playing well before he was sidelined and all signs point at him playing well again whenever he resumes. He is an undisputed starter at right-wing whenever fully fit.
1. Rodrygo Goes
There are several reasons as to why the 20-year-old Rodrygo Goes should be Carlo Ancelotti’s preferred option on the right-wing. Ever since the injuries of Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale, the youngster has stepped up in the best possible way. He suffered from a stomach bug which is why he was on the sidelines recently. But, he did return against Athletic Club and straightaway pumped energy on the right side. He is simply far better than Asensio.
He has a couple of goals in the Champions League this season and both goals were pieces of beauty. First, an ending ambers’ winner against Inter on matchday one, dispatched expertly into the far bottom corner, first time through an Eduardo Camavinga assist, that was a piece of play as mature as it gets. The second, a very underrated piece of finishing against Shakhtar. Again dispatched first time into the roof of the net giving the goalkeeper no chance whatsoever.
He also has two assists to his name, one in LaLiga and one in the Champions League, per WhoScored. Like his compatriot, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo too, is an expert dribbler of the ball. He showed that against Sheriff in the Champions League fixture last time out that Real won comfortably 3-0. Rodrygo shined in the attack that day and dare I say it, he was better than our protagonist Vini in that game.
Rodrygo is a player with immense potential and promise for the future. He has all the necessary qualities to excel at Real Madrid. Like Vinicius Junior, he too should hit his breakout moment in the near future. He is just 20 at the moment and time is on his side. With Bale injured, he is Ancelotti’s preferred option over Hazard or Asensio. If the same continues, he will have a lot of minutes under his belt by the end of the season, and going by the way he is playing, a healthy record is bound to follow.