Xabi Alonso faces a tactical conundrum that strikes at the very heart of Real Madrid’s attacking identity: choosing between two world-class Brazilians who both thrive on the same flank.
Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo have each built their reputations on dynamic, high-impact performances, yet their best football often comes when deployed on the left wing.
With Alonso’s arrival ushering in a more structured, possession-oriented system, the question of who should occupy that position has become increasingly pressing.
Rodrygo has been deployed on the right side for years under Carlo Ancelotti, a role that has often limited his natural rhythm and reduced his ability to impact the game.
Playing on the opposite flank forced him to adjust his body orientation, carry the ball longer distances, and cut inside more frequently to bring the ball to his stronger right foot, which hindered his instinctive final-third contribution.
However, when given the freedom to operate on the left, his creativity, composure, and direct goal involvement rise sharply.
Vinícius, meanwhile, remains Los Blancos most explosive winger, a specialist in breaking lines and destabilising defensive structures through pace and unpredictability.
With Rodrygo proving just as influential when shifted to Vinícius’s territory, Alonso must determine whether coexistence is possible or whether the tactical balance of the side demands a sacrifice.
This Real Madrid data analysis examines the performances of both players when starting on the left wing, breaking down their attacking and passing metrics to reveal who excels statistically and how each interprets the role tactically within Madrid’s evolving system.
Real Madrid Left-Flank Bias: Analysing Attacking Distribution
Before Xabi Alonso’s arrival, Real Madrid’s attacking structure under Carlo Ancelotti during the 2024/2025 season was heavily weighted towards the left flank, the zone traditionally occupied by Vinícius Júnior.
Statistical breakdowns show that 42.4% of Madrid’s attacking sequences (134 attacks) originated from the left side, compared to just 28.5% through the centre (90 attacks) and 29.1% from the right (92 attacks).
Real Madrid Distribution Of Attacking Chances Created 2024/2025
This asymmetrical pattern reflects not only the tactical preference of Ancelotti’s system but also the influence of Vinícius as the team’s primary outlet for progression, chance creation, and penetration into the final third.
Interestingly, during December and January, when Vinícius was sidelined through injury, Rodrygo was shifted to that very flank, and his performances were remarkably productive.
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