Real Madrid’s Rodrygo determined to get through slump in form

Almost every single player in the professional game is used to living in a bubble, a safe place where they don’t read newspaper columns, listen to radio debates or watch pundits on television. In this space, the news of whether they are playing well or not, the comments that come from the talking heads, do not reach them. The coach stops reality from hitting hard, at least until it becomes so clear things are not going well that it is impossible to avoid.

Rodrygo Goes knows perfectly well that he is not performing to his top level this season, and that his starting position in the side is the topic of debate amongst those who like to question these things. After his second consecutive start on the bench against Osasuna, the Brazilian took to social media to express his feelings about the situation.

‘I won’t lack dedication or work to help the team’

“Things don’t always go as I’d hope, but I won’t lack dedication or work to help the team. Thank you always for your support!” he said, accompanied with an image of his teammates surrounding him during a game.

The goalscoring form of Rodrygo last season created a debate about him reaching elite numbers this season, especially given the more central position that Ancelotti had prepared for him in the new system. In his first three seasons at the Bernabéu, Rodrygo scored a total of 18 goals (7, 2, 9) yet last season he blew away those numbers by getting 19 in 3,800 minutes of play, coming in off the right side.

It was a mammoth-sized step in the right direction but it makes his struggles this season all the more eye-catching. He scored in the first game of the LaLiga season against Athletic Club at San Mamés and has not found the net since, 776 minutes later.

Rodrygo vs Joselu: who should start for Real Madrid?

Rodrygo’s social media message that went with another later post of “resilience” perfectly sums up the conflict that he is going through right now, but also his desire to step out of the darkness and find the exit of the labyrinth. Ancelotti, for his part, has not stopped praising the player all season, saying that “the time that he has had on the pitch he has done well and tried to score. He didn’t play because I wanted to put a fresher player in, one with different characteristics. But we always give Rodrygo all the care in the world.”

However, Carlo has become more flexible when it comes to taking the forward out of the team: he has left him out of the starting side for two games running in favour of Joselu who, incidentally, cannot stop scoring. Right now, Ancelotti has the doubt in his mind about whether to keep Rodrygo playing in the big games, such as Atlético and Napoli - or to give Joselu the job of starting. Ancelotti is eternally grateful for Rodrygo’s performances in big games, as he scored 3 goals on the way to Madrid winning their 14th Champions League.

What are Rodrygo’s numbers this season?

But with the numbers in hand, there is not much debate: Joselu is currently scoring every 125 minutes and participates in a goal every 90, while Rodrygo gets a goal every 804 minutes and participates every 402. In terms of the number of shots, it’s quite even: Joselu has had 35, Rodrygo has had 38, but the Spaniard is way ahead in terms of accuracy: 17-11 on target; 62%-44%.

Madrid are committed to seeing the Brazilian through this dip in form: both Vini Jr and Ancelotti wanted him to have the penalty against Osasuna that was taken by Joselu, who missed. It was a chance for Rodrygo to change his fortunes around and now he is away with the National Team to look for that goalscoring touch he is lacking so far this campaign - having scored 3 in his last 3 in a yellow shirt, it could be the perfect place for a reset.