Real Madrid proved to be a versatile team, with Aurélien Tchouaméni playing as a centre-back and Jude Bellingham appearing as a centre-forward. But the change of positions between Vinicius and Rodrygo in the 3-3 draw against Manchester City was innovative and successful.
Carlo Ancelotti decided to surprise Pep Guardiola’s always well-thought-out tactical plan in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. Rodrygo appeared as a winger on the left, in Vini’s usual position, with the former Flamengo more focused on the rival area.
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“They didn’t expect me to go on the left, today we did it differently and it turned out well,” Rodrygo said after the crash. Thanks to this tactical change came the second goal for the team from the Spanish capital: Vini assisted his compatriot, who projected from the left and beat goalkeeper Stefan Ortega after a slight deflection of his shot off defender Manuel Akanji.
“With the tactical change I was looking for Rodrygo’s good streak, after what he did in Bilbao,” explained Ancelotti, in reference to the double that the former Santos attacker scored in the LaLiga match on March 31.
🎙️ @RodrygoGoes: "Está todo abierto para la vuelta".#UCL pic.twitter.com/mzeaOFiaP7
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) April 9, 2024
“It didn’t change anything for Vinicius to play a little more inside. “They have done very well, they have worked a lot,” added the Italian coach.
Guardiola himself referred to this change of positions: “Obviously, I was a little surprised by the fact that Vinicius played inside and Rodrygo played outside, then they changed, but they are both very, very fast playing inside or outside. , does not matter”.
It remains to be seen if Real Madrid bets on the same system for the return leg on April 17 at the Etihad Stadium. For that rematch in England, another duel is expected not only of stars on the playing field, but also of strategic surprises on the part of both coaches.
