Pundit blast’s Ancelotti for His poor decision in starting Two key players from the bench yesterday
Vinicius Jr.’s suspension against Athletic Club was expected to have a huge impact on Real Madrid’s approach for the game.
Given his crucial part in the team’s aggressive performance in recent games, his absence was undeniable. As expected, Brahim Diaz replaced Vinicius Jr. in the starting lineup, while Jude Bellingham returned to the XI following his suspension.
Carlo Ancelotti’s most notable modification was to Rodrygo Goes’ position. Rodrygo, who had been played on the right flank all season, was moved to the left flank this time, filling in for Vinicius Jr.
This positional change proved to be a masterstroke, as Rodrygo gave an excellent performance. The 23-year-old Brazilian was Real Madrid’s top performance, offering a constant threat to the Athletic Club defense with his explosive dashes. His impact was instantaneous, as he scored a stunning goal from the edge of the box only eight minutes in.
Rodrygo demonstrated his attacking prowess throughout the match, completing two dribbles, creating a big chance, and making two key passes. He finished up his outstanding performance with a second goal in the second half, earning him man of the match honors. Rodrygo’s positional modification proved to be advantageous, considerably increasing his confidence. However, given Vinicius Jr.’s impending return, he may have to return to his original position on the right flank in future games. Away from the field, Eder Militao’s return from injury was a moving moment for both the player and the fans. After a difficult year marred by injury setbacks, Militao made a quick cameo appearance in extra time, marking his return to action. Ancelotti’s choice to bring Militao in for a brief moment represented the fruition of months of hard work and perseverance for the Brazilian defender. Moving forward, Real Madrid will need to carefully monitor Militao’s minutes to avoid further injuries. Looking ahead, Real Madrid’s emphasis moves to their forthcoming Champions League match against Manchester City, which is the most important encounter in April. Despite a string of disappointing games in February, Real Madrid’s recent dominance suggests that they are primed and ready for the key match against Guardiola’s team.
The confidence and momentum garnered from their previous triumphs demonstrate that Real Madrid is ready for the challenges that lie ahead, with a nine-day break offering critical time for additional preparation and fine-tuning before of the crucial Champions League meeting.
