Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid got off to a slow start on Wednesday with a draw against Al Hilal. The result was below expectations and came as a result of a poor performance from the team, which looked very similar to the side under Ancelotti, suggesting that the problem may not lie solely with the coach. More of the same, and as we saw at the Hard Rock, that’s not enough.
Xabi gave Rodrygo confidence
“Rodrygo is a Real Madrid player and I’m going to have a conversation with him, as I will with everyone, because he deserves it and we need it. Rodrygo is a spectacular player, which I’m not going to discover, and we’re going to need him,” were the words of Xabi Alonso during his presentation when asked about the Brazilian player who had a difficult year in which he ended up not playing for either Real Madrid or the national team, with significant stress and mental strain that had the player out of action.
In the first training sessions, it was clear that Xabi Alonso has been keeping a close eye on the player at all times. At the press conference before the game, he also had a few words for the Brazilian and the process he is going through. “I know what happened at the end of the season, which wasn’t easy, but he took some time off, which has been good. We talked and I can see that he’s eager to enjoy himself, above all, with his quality, and to contribute. We’ve talked about it, we’ve shared it, and now it’s time to put it into practice.”
Rodrygo against Al Hilal
Rodrygo’s assist for Gonzalo’s goal will feature in the match statistics, but beyond that, his participation in the game was more of the same. More of what we’ve seen so far this year, such as the Copa del Rey match against Barça, where he started and contributed absolutely nothing. He was not an asset on the field who posed a threat to the team’s attack. He was not very active in defense or attack, where he seemed to be waiting for the ball to come to him. Rodrygo was left with the impression that his future should not be in a white shirt. He played a practically inconsequential game, and that is not what a Madrid team under construction and looking for a revolution to restore its level of play and titles needs.
The player said he wanted to stay, but with the level he showed, it is not enough.
Arsenal still waiting
“The only way Arsenal can sign Rodrygo is if the player goes to Real Madrid and tells them he wants to leave. But so far, the player has not said anything to the club. Rodrygo is completely focused on Real Madrid,” said Fabrizio Romano on his YouTube channel. If he leaves, the clearest option is in the Premier League, where Arsenal remain convinced they will go for the signing. Mikel Arteta’s side are betting heavily on the Brazilian and are waiting for the World Cup to end and both parties to make their decisions. In England, they know the asking price, which is no less than €90 million, and are willing to make the investment.
Mastantuono and Arda Güler, the alternatives
If his departure goes ahead, Real Madrid has alternatives at home without having to go to the transfer market. Both the recent signing, Franco Mastantuono, and the young Arda Gïler can play as right wingers. The former’s worth in a Real Madrid shirt is yet to be proven, but the Turkish player has already done so with flying colors. Yesterday, he took to the pitch and had his first chance to open the scoring. He was active, created chances, controlled the ball, and is undoubtedly one of the biggest assets in Xabi Alonso’s squad, who nevertheless opted to leave him on the bench last night.