In the first leg, it was Vinicius who caught the light. Author of a splendid goal against Manchester City (1-1) and most of the differences made tonight by the Merengues, the left winger carried the offensive desires of his own alone. In the second leg, it could be that the spotlight this time is on his counterpart on the right side, his compatriot Rodrygo.
To discover
- Champions League schedule and results
Because when the anthem of the Champions League sounds, the 22-year-old player sublimates. The statistic is evocative: since his debut at Real Madrid, Rodrygo has scored more goals in C1 (15) than in La Liga (13). A significant performance especially since the Brazilian has played only 38 games in the most prestigious competition (against 104 in the league). To crown this brilliant record, it should be remembered that several of his achievements in the queen event were marked at crucial moments.
SEE ALSO – Rodrygo's double against Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final on May 6 (2-1)
The 2021-2022 campaign saw Real Madrid achieve what many consider to be the most beautiful and stunning in C1 history. After having offered themselves crazy comebacks successively against PSG (1/8th), Chelsea (1/4th) and Manchester City (1/0), the Madrileños had defeated Liverpool in the final (14-<>). From this journey leading to the club's <>th title, Rodrygo was certainly one of its great craftsmen.
Rodrygo won his first C1 at the age of 21 while being a major player in this coronation. MOLLY DARLINGTON
Against PSG in the return match (3-1), the winger had entered the hour of play. His contribution coupled with that of Eduardo Camavinga had changed the face of the match and precipitated the fall of the capital club (hat-trick of Karim Benzema). In the next round, Carlo Ancelotti had launched it at the end of the match at a time when Real were on the brink of the abyss. His saving goal at the end of the match on a caviar by Luka Modric had allowed his own to get up before then finishing the Londoners in extra time (2-3).
Already adored, Rodrygo took on a whole new dimension after one match in particular: the semi-final second leg of the Champions League against Manchester City. Real defeated 4-3 in England, the Brazilian had single-handedly overthrown the SkyBlues twice in extra time (90th and 91st). His double that night propelled his family into an unparalleled intoxication with a qualification at the end of the suspense (3-1). With this miraculous and unforgettable campaign, the Brazilian has since changed his status.
Recently, Carlo Ancelotti was full of praise for his number 27: "It is impossible to say what his limits are. He is an elegant player, who moves very well and has a real goalscoring instinct. On top of that, he's progressing dramatically."
Indispensable this season, Rodrygo has put all the chances on his side to perform at the very high level. His lifestyle is exemplary and the 22-year-old man chains sessions with a personal trainer and is very strict with himself on his diet as well as his hours of sleep. "He only lives for football, and in Brazil, they say he's not a normal Brazilian," one of his relatives joked to L'Equipe.
Significant playing time this season
Arrived in 2019 in "the biggest club in the world", he took time to impose himself. "In Brazil, I was praised. And there, you restart from the bottom up. It's completely normal, you just have to live with it. And it takes time. Since then, every day, I have the feeling of being a little more important for this club, "he said in a subject dedicated to him in L'Equipe Explore.
This importance is also reflected in the numbers. A fan of the Madrid club since childhood, Rodrygo is behind Frenchman Eduardo Camavinga, the player who has taken part in the most games this season with Real Madrid (52). His playing time has also increased significantly, he who previously was content with episodic entries into play.
" READ ALSO Eduardo Camavinga, the nugget of Real Madrid
Real Madrid seem to have managed the Brazilian's development brilliantly: "It hasn't always been easy. One day I played against Osasuna, I scored my first goal with Real in La Liga. I tell myself that's it, I've earned my place, at least on the bench. You bet... (laughs) The next day I was with Castilla and I was still playing with them three days later. Similarly, a month later, I scored a hat-trick against Galatasaray in the Champions League. Once again, I tell myself that the next game, I'm playing! Well no (he's still laughing). Honestly, I had a hard time understanding it sometimes. It's not always easy. But I believe these are things that, in the end, have to happen. So that after everything works," he confided on his beginnings to L'Équipe Explore.
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It's in my top 3 but it's not my best night. Last year's semi-final second leg against City remains the most special. Nothing compares to that night," he said after his crucial double against Osasuna in the final of the Copa del Rey on May 6 (2-1). By being decisive again this Wednesday against the English, he could very quickly shake up his ranking.