Rodrygo looked charming when installed as the number 9 player when Real Madrid met Atletico Madrid. However, the 21-year-old player emphasized that Karim Benzema's position and role in that position cannot be replaced just like that.
Rodrygo became the breaker of the deadlock when Madrid won 2-1 over Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano in the continuation of the 6th week of the 2022/2023 Spanish League, Monday (19/9/2022) early morning WIB. He scored in the 18th minute.
Madrid added to the advantage through Federico Valverde's flick in the 36th minute. The new home team could cheer through a goal from Mario Hermoso in the 86th minute.
Since Benzema was injured on 7 September 2022 against Celtic, Madrid have been looking for a replacement in three games. Rodrygo is one of the players who seems to be able to perform as expected.
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema (c) AP Photo
Benzema has become part of the history of Madrid. Losing him in just a few games is something that Ancelotti needs to think about carefully because Madrid don't have other players who play as pure attackers anymore.
"It's impossible for me to replace Benzema. But every chance I get to do that, I'll give it a try. And I think I at least played pretty well," he told Movistar+.
"I have to say that my playing style is different from his. So when one of us plays, we have changed the style of play."
Apart from that, Rodrygo has displayed an impressive performance at the end of last season. He also now continues to score goals at the start of the season, every time he is trusted.
"I've always had confidence. Last season I scored more goals at the end of the season and now I also want to score more goals at the beginning.
"Last season I was very good and I want to continue like this. I can get even better.”
Karim Benzema's expression when he suffered an injury in the 2022/2023 Champions League duel against Celtic (c) AP Photo
Benzema was withdrawn when the match against Celtic had only been running for 30 minutes or the score was still 0-0. Eden Hazard replaces him.
However, since Benzema has not played, Madrid have actually scored eleven goals in four matches. Hazard and Rodrygo replaced his role quite well.
Now, Benzema is expected to soon join the team on Friday (23/9/2022) WIB. If the recovery is smooth, the match against Osasuna (3/10/2022) will be the moment the veteran player returns.