Real Madrid sealed their first victory under Xabi Alonso on Sunday evening, beating Pachuca 3-1 despite being down to 10 men for much of the match. While Thibaut Courtois was busy in the Madrid goal, the first green shoots of Alonso’s new regime were on show, with plenty of movement and quick interplay.
What, or rather who, was not on show, was Rodrygo Goes. After starting their first game against Al-Hilal, the Brazilian spent the entire game on the bench for Los Blancos. Rodrygo grabbed an assist for the only Real Madrid goal in their first match, and while Alonso’s thinking was no doubt conditioned by Raul Asencio’s sending off, it was surprising that Rodrygo did not even warm-up. Just as happened during El Clasico, Alonso sent on Victor Munoz ahead of the Brazil international.
Image via JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELA / Diario AS
Rodrygo did not feature for the final month of the season under Carlo Ancelotti, allegedly due to a fever, while no medical report was emitted by the club. Alonso said that he ‘knows what happened with Rodrygo’ before the Club World Cup, but now there appears to be no fitness issues holding him back either. Rodrygo had reportedly been happy with Alonso’s start to life in Madrid, but will be less pleased at missing out in Alonso’s second game, and without Kylian Mbappe.
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