The former Real Madrid player and youth coach discussed the lack of goals from the two Br azilians.
Real Madrid’s recent goalless draw against Rayo Vallecano has once again raised concerns about the team’s scoring prowess this season. Despite notable goal-scoring performances from players like Jude Bellingham, Vinicius and Rodrygo, who were prolific last season, are struggling to find the back of the net. This decline has prompted football analyst Álvaro Benito to shed light on what might be causing their struggles. Benito, in a recent interview on El Larguero, has pointed out the absence of Karim Benzema and the change in the team’s structure as significant factors contributing to the reduced offensive capabilities of these two Br azilian talents.
Benito emphasized that Karim Benzema’s impact on Real Madrid’s attack went far beyond his goal and assist statistics. "Beyond what he contributed directly, which were his goals and his assists, he had the ability to attract defenders so that teammates had more options to see the goal," Benito explained. " Benzema attracted a lot of attention and attention from defenders. Because of this, both Vinicius and Rodrygo had much easier times when moving around the field."
Real Madrid’s shift in playing style has also played a role in Vinicius and Rodrygo’s declining form according to Alvaro Benito. He pointed out that the team’s system has evolved, leading to both players having a harder time finding goal-scoring opportunities. He noted, "Madrid has changed the system, and now Rodrygo is less Rodrygo, and Vinicius is less Vinicius. They are struggling to create chances." Despite their ability to win games, it’s evident that the team’s gameplay isn’t as fluid as it used to be.
Vinicius, in particular, has faced challenges adapting to the new system. Benito went on to explain: "Vinicius likes to receive with the ball with his open foot. For this you need fluid ball circulation from the team and, with the 4-4-2, you have less height or vertical options in the game when it comes to giving Vinicius passes. There are fewer players between the lines, which makes the ball circulation more difficult."