Heading into the new season, there is much excitement over Real Madrid’s new star trio: Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham.
Amidst the glittering names, one player who might have seemed overshadowed was Rodrygo. However, the young Brazilian has proven that he is not just a supporting act in Carlo Ancelotti’s ensemble this season.
Rodrygo stands out for Ancelotti
As reported by MARCA, Rodrygo’s performance in Real Madrid’s win over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup, was one of the key takeaways for the coaching staff.
“Rodrygo was the best player in the match,” said Ancelotti, praising the Brazilian after Madrid clinched their first title of the season.
Ancelotti’s sentiment was echoed throughout the coaching staff, including Davide Ancelotti and Antonio Pintus. Rodrygo’s performance was a masterclass in versatility and tactical intelligence.
Taking over set-piece duties from Toni Kroos, Rodrygo delivered several dangerous balls into the Atalanta area. What was particularly impressive was the ease with which he fitted himself into Real Madrid’s new system.
The new system, characterized by frequent positional exchanges among the front four, allowed Rodrygo to shine, reminiscent of Karim Benzema’s role before his evolution into a penalty box predator.
In Warsaw, Rodrygo boasted the highest passing accuracy rate of any Madrid player, with a stunning 97%, reaching 100% in the second half.
His synergy with Dani Carvajal and Mbappe on the right flank was particularly noteworthy, as he formed the strongest link with Madrid’s new striker.
Defensively, Rodrygo was equally impressive, winning five out of six defensive duels, the most by any attacking player in the match.
His defensive tenacity was crucial in the buildup to Real Madrid’s second goal, a sequence that saw all four forwards—Rodrygo, Vinicius, Bellingham, and Mbappe—combine to devastating effect.
Positive feedback from Real Madrid’s coaching staff could prove to be a game-changer for Rodrygo and his future at Real Madrid, especially amid reports linking him with a move away from Santiago Bernabeu this summer.