
Rodrygo: Man City can’t afford to ignore Real Madrid’s Champions League-loving Brazilian
Much like his compatriot Vinicius Jr, the Brazilian forward has taken time to mature in Madrid, but is now a key player under Carlo Ancelotti
When Real Madrid snagged a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on April 18, the big guns didn’t score. Vinicius Jr squandered two golden opportunities. Karim Benzema scuffed one shot and blasted another over. Instead, it was who Rodrygo played hero, bagging a brace at the bridge to send Los Blancos to yet another European semi-final.
But this is hardly a new concept. Rodrygo has been at his best for Madrid in Europe for some time now. Since the 2019-20 season, the Brazilian trails only Benzema in Madrid’s continental goalscoring charts with 15 — despite playing markedly fewer minutes. He has found the net against Manchester City twice, Chelsea three times and Inter to open the successful 2021-22 campaign.
It’s not just in Europe where he’s embraced the big occasion either, as highlighted by his match-winning double in Saturday’s Copa del Rey final victory over Osasuna — leading Madrid to their first domestic cup since 2014 and earning a standing ovation from fans of both teams.
It all amounts to a player delivering on the €45 million (£40m/$48m) price tag that Madrid paid for him four years ago when he was signed from Santos as an 18-year-old. And now, he could be the difference-maker again as Madrid face off against Manchester City once more in their hunt for a second straight European Cup.
Playing on the forgotten side
Rodrygo has, for a long time, been a victim of Madrid’s reliance on their left wing. According to The Athletic, 44 percent of the team’s attacks go down the left, as the exciting Vinicius linking up with Benzema. It has been an impactful strategy, one enough for Vinicius to hit 20 goals and 20 assists in all competitions — and keep Benzema ticking away through the middle.
But it often sacrifices the interests of the right-winger, trying to make do with only 30% of Madrid moves. Whether it be Fede Valverde or Rodrygo, the occupant of that position is relied on to be unselfish. He has to make the right runs, and occasionally express himself. There will be some chances, but ultimately, the ball is predominantly going to the other side.
And under that system, it’s been difficult for Rodrygo to stand out. A big-money signing with massive potential as a goalscoring and creative player, his numbers weren’t up to scratch for his first few campaigns in Madrid. He scored only three times in La Liga across his first two seasons, starved of opportunities and occasionally wasteful on the ball.
This year, though, he’s embraced the role more efficiently. Rodrygo still has less of the ball than his Brazilian compatriot on the other wing, but he uses it more intelligently. His decision-making is more refined, while his passing accuracy is among the best in the world at his position.
“I don’t have much to do anymore, just keep doing the good things I’m doing, keep working every day, keep improving… I see that I’m better every year that goes by, every season I’m evolving,” Rodrygo told GOAL in February.
Forcing his way into the picture
Rodrygo, despite operating on the undesirable flank, has pushed himself into becoming an almost untouchable in Ancelotti’s side — especially in the Champions League. It started last year, when he bagged a dramatic, last-gasp brace against City to help send Madrid to the final.
In the trip to Chelsea this season, meanwhile, the Italian manager tweaked his line up to ensure Rodrygo featured. He dropped preferred wide man Valverde into central midfield, and gave Rodrygo licence to drift and link up with Benzema.
And the Brazilian thrived, turning in a memorable performance to dispatch the Blues. It was crucial that he showed up, too — Benzema, held scoreless, had one of his worst games of the season.
There have been other similar situations, too. Rodrygo was slotted into the line up for the first leg of the last-16 clash with Liverpool, grabbing an assist at Anfield in a 5-2 romp over the previous year’s finalists.
He has also bagged goals in starts against Atletico Madrid and Valencia, the latter being the Supercopa semi-final. He no longer disappears like he used to, either. Rodrygo is now a player who wants the ball, who can dictate games with similar veracity as the Brazilian on the other wing.
This is a youngster who was once marginalised becoming a man for a big stage.