If you looked at the team sheet for the Rayo Vallecano match and felt a jolt of surprise, you weren't alone. For the second time in a row, Rodrygo Goes—a man who has scored Champions League semi-final winners—sits on the bench while an 18-year-old kid from River Plate takes his spot.
But here is the uncomfortable truth that Madridistas might need to accept: Álvaro Arbeloa isn't benching Rodrygo because of politics. He's doing it because the data says he has to.
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| Franco Mastantuono |
The Rise of the "Interior Winger"
The narrative around Franco Mastantuono has shifted rapidly from "promising youngster" to "undroppable asset." While Rodrygo offers vertical speed and direct goal-scoring threat, Mastantuono offers something Arbeloa’s chaotic 4-1-2-3 system desperately needs: control in the half-spaces.
Tactical analysis of Mastantuono shows he operates as an "interior winger," drifting inside to position himself between the opposition's left-back and central midfielders.
The Numbers Don't Lie
Critics will point to Rodrygo's pedigree, but the underlying numbers for Mastantuono in the Champions League are staggering for a teenager.
Expected Goals (xG): 0.53 per 90 minutes.
Chances Created: 2.14 per 90 minutes.
These are not just "good for a rookie" numbers; they are elite creative metrics that rival the best wingers in Europe. In contrast, while Rodrygo had a solid run under Xabi Alonso (3 goals, 4 assists in 6 games) his recent disciplinary issues—including that costly red card against Benfica—have marred his case.
The "Untouchables" Squeeze
The biggest problem for Rodrygo isn't even Mastantuono; it's the "Untouchables" policy. Arbeloa has publicly stated that Vinicius Jr., Mbappé, and Bellingham are locked starters.
Rodrygo is finding himself squeezed out not just by talent, but by profile. Arbeloa seems to prefer the "chaos" Mastantuono creates over the structured finishing of Rodrygo.
The Verdict
Today's match against Rayo Vallecano is more than a league fixture; it is a statement of intent. Rodrygo was seen throwing a shirt in frustration after a substitution against Oviedo earlier this season and tensions are boiling over. If Mastantuono dominates today against a Rayo low block that struggles with set-piece defending we might be witnessing the permanent changing of the guard on the right flank of the Bernabéu.
What do you think? Does Rodrygo deserve more respect, or is Mastantuono simply the better fit for this system? Let us know in the comments.