Rodrygo Goes’ Struggles at Real Madrid Attributed to Change in Role

Real Madrid has enjoyed a promising start to the season, but one player who has faced difficulties in finding his form is 22-year-old Rodrygo Goes. With just one goal in 11 matches, scored in the season opener against Athletic Club, Rodrygo’s performances have raised questions.

Last season, Rodrygo excelled as a right winger in a 4-3-3 system. However, Real Madrid’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, shifted to a 4-4-2 diamond formation for the current campaign, owing to the failure to secure a top-class striker during the summer transfer window.

In this new setup, Rodrygo has been deployed as a striker, a role he openly admitted not enjoying while on international duty with Brazil. He mentioned, “I always made it clear that I have the ability to play on the wings as well as inside. I always said that I don’t like to be a 9, and in the end, both at the club and here, I have to do it quite a few times, but I don’t like it very much.”

This change in position could offer insight into Rodrygo’s struggles this season. However, given Real Madrid’s overall success thus far, it is unlikely that Ancelotti will make adjustments based on the Brazilian’s admission.