Rodrygo Steps Up as Benzema’s Replacement: The Future of Real Madrid’s Attack

Rodrygo is Real Madrid’s Benzema replacement, with Hazard absent again

Real Madrid’s captain, Karim Benzema, has been a vital player for the club for many years. He has been a constant threat in the attacking line, scoring crucial goals and providing assists for his teammates. However, this season, Benzema has been facing multiple absences due to physical problems, causing concern among fans. With the latest injury, Benzema will miss the upcoming game against Real Mallorca on Sunday. In his absence, someone has to step up, and the solution to the problem is none other than Rodrygo.

Rodrygo joined Real Madrid in 2019 from Santos FC and has quickly established himself as one of the most promising talents in the world. The young Brazilian forward has a quick pace, precise finishing, and an eye for goal, making him a constant threat to opposing defenses. With the recent absence of Benzema, Rodrygo has taken up the center-forward position in nine out of the ten games that Benzema missed (nine due to injury and one due to rest). The only exception was the game against Real Mallorca in the first half of the season, where Eden Hazard occupied the center-forward position.

Eden Hazard is another key player for Real Madrid, with incredible dribbling skills, pace, and a keen eye for goal. However, he has been facing his own set of problems this season, spending 13 games without playing and two in the stands. Hazard was not included in the list of players called up to travel to Mallorca due to “patellar tendinosis in the left knee”.

Rodrygo’s best position on the field has been a subject of debate for some time, with Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid manager, reflecting on it several times. Ancelotti sees Rodrygo as a center-forward or behind the number nine, rather than as a winger. He believes that without Benzema, Rodrygo is the best solution and puts him ahead of moving Marco Asensio from the wing to the center of the attack. Ancelotti even hinted at the possibility of a change in the team’s formation, saying that the 4-2-3-1 formation is probably the best position for Rodrygo. He further added that Rodrygo, Luka Modric, and Asensio could be used as attacking midfielders.

Of Rodrygo’s nine goals in 29 games this season, four have come in the nine times he played as a center-forward. He has proven himself to be a crucial player for Real Madrid, filling the void left by Benzema and providing a constant threat to opposing defenses. Against Real Mallorca, it is likely that he will once again occupy the center of the attack, with Asensio on his right and Vinicius on the left.

In conclusion, the absence of Benzema and Hazard has caused concern among Real Madrid fans, but Rodrygo has stepped up to fill the void. He has proven himself to be a crucial player for the team, scoring important goals and providing assists for his teammates. Rodrygo’s quick pace, precise finishing, and eye for goal make him a constant threat to opposing defenses, and he is likely to play a key role for Real Madrid in the future.