Lucas Vázquez shoots against De Vrij during last Wednesday's Inter-Real Madrid at San Siro.DeFodi Images / Getty Images
—Lucas, you work a lot, the whole game is running.
I remember that when you played with me, it cost you a little more.
You haven't got another one, right?
—Yes (laughs).
At Real Madrid, if you are up and down helping your teammate, you will be valued.
You suffer when you run after the ball, but you have to understand that it is necessary.
Lucas Vázquez's talk with his old friend from the white quarry and the national team Álvaro López Bermejo is four years old, although he has not aged at all.
In that climate of camaraderie that is created between former wardrobe mates, remembering the times in which the second -already retired- put the Galician firm on, the Madridista admits with a good face, a lot of diplomacy and a bit of resignation the only way It was left to survive in the midst of so much celebrity.
His first two years as a
substitute in the Castilla were a good
mili
.
His path of cutting is known and, one
term
after that conversation, Madrid always ends up clinging to it at one point or another as much as to the efficiency of Nacho Fernández.
Two footballers with similar trajectories, who were written off, who considered leaving the club in search of a better life than that of occasional multi-guilds, and that this fall of covid and injuries has revalued them again.
Above all, for his good performance at San Siro.
Despite the number of players who have come to their positions in recent years, some as strategic signings, they follow the one that jumps.
This Saturday against Alavés (21.00, Movistar LaLiga) in Valdebebas, the two point to headlines.
The Galician, who has already accumulated six consecutive duels in the eleven, could return to the right side after Carvajal's new injury and Odriozola's long-term absence.
In Zidane's eyes, the squad could be divided into three groups: for those he feels confessed admiration (Ramos, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Benzema…);
those who have a trial and do not give them anything no matter how big the club's bet has been (Vinicius, Rodrygo, Militão or Jovic);
and a veteran sector of unit b whom he considers his own for his diligence and gregarious and obedient spirit.
Lucas Vázquez and Nacho come in here.
Zidanate
is also defined in
them
, as demonstrated in the coach's blessing in Milan.
"They deserve to stay here," he proclaimed after the 0-2 victory.
The attacker fulfills a contract next June and the defender, in 2022.
'One club man'
Nacho, 30, would like something that he no longer takes: to be a
one club man,
to spend his entire career in an entity.
The last one to achieve it at the Bernabéu was Manolo Sanchís (previously achieved by Zárraga, Camacho and Chendo), retired in 2001, the same year that Nacho entered the Ciudad Deportiva after passing a test with 40 other children on a soccer field 7. No coach missed him, but no one has given him more, so this summer he seriously considered leaving.
He was very close to Italy, where he was looking for those 15 consecutive starting games that he has never had at home.
However, Carvajal's injury in early October halted the operation.
First he had to cover the right side and, after recovering from the injury at the Camp Nou, he had to cover the spot in the center of the rear due to the absences of Ramos and Militão.
The trip to Milan was of maximum risk for the team and for him, and it came out very vindicated.
He ate the brown to replace the captain, tied the ogre Lukaku short and forced the 0-1 penalty in an unsuspected adventure to the opposite area.
He also showed that, despite occupying all the positions of the defense, the center is his natural place.
When he had to leave this season's classic due to physical problems, the one who relieved him was Lucas Vázquez.
The 29-year-old Galician is a locksmith, electricity and plumbing company.
This season he has played more on the right back than in his usual position in attack.
Against Inter he did everything: at home he appeared behind and in Milan, above.
And in both he fulfilled.
In San Siro as in Vila-real and in the absence of Casemiro, Zizou resorted to him in the middle to concrete that area instead of Asensio, out of focus in this start despite the continuity that the Frenchman gave him.
But Carvajal's new injury will probably bring him back to defense.
"I have always appreciated their work and effort," said ZZ of the Galician last Wednesday.
Two years ago, Solari explained it with a more flowery verb: “He has the virtues that I value the most of the Spanish character: he is supportive and courageous”.
He and Nacho, like other more illustrious of the sector admired by Zidane, were considered settled some time ago.
For the moment, they are still tightening the nuts.
Vázquez and Fernández Repairs.