Rodrygo's Right-Wing Revival: Real Madrid's Tactical Turnaround
22 December 2025
Rodrygo's Right-Wing Revival
Rodrygo has emerged as a noticeable change at Real Madrid, successfully flipping the script by moving to the right flank. The Brazilian winger has become a trusted option for coach Xabi Alonso once again, after a period when his presence in the lineup had been limited.
AS noted that his minutes this season rose to 769, with 287 of them coming in the last four matches. He started three of those games, a sign that the managerial plan is beginning to bear fruit after earlier limited opportunities.
That shift followed Vinícius's fiery substitution against Barcelona and his public pushback on Alonso, a moment described as an open clash. In that fracture, Vinícius cemented himself on the left, while Rodrygo quickly recognized the chance to anchor Real Madrid's attack from the opposite wing.
With Mbappé and Vinícius occupying their preferred spots, the right wing became the decisive option for long-term balance, a position Rodrygo had previously avoided but now embraces as his doorway to regular minutes and influence.
Punchline: Rodrygo on the right is so effective the bench started asking for a pay-per-minute plan.
Punchline: If this keeps up, Madrid will need a GPS sponsor—Guided Play System—to track every rightward run.
