The white team showed stronger performance when Vinicius, Rodrygo and Valverde started together, delivering a striking glimpse of their potential as a collective. When this trio links up from the opening whistle, Real Madrid often looks more cohesive in attack and more compact in defense, creating a dynamic that unsettles opposing teams from the first minute.
Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Federico Valverde have become core pieces in Real Madrid’s approach. It is evident that the side reaches its peak when they are deployed in harmony, with Benzema remaining an indispensable focal point for the squad. The manager, Carlo Ancelotti, is tasked with crafting a formula that integrates every key contributor without weakening the balance that makes the team dangerous. The breakthrough moment came at the Martínez Valero stadium, a match where Real Madrid displayed perhaps their best version of the season—a performance that underscored the potential of their attacking trio when support structures are aligned around Benzema.
There are discussions about experimenting with a 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring Rodrygo pressing in support of Benzema, mirroring the Elche match. In that game, Tchouaméni entered as a substitute, while Kroos and Modrić operated in the midfield. The question now is whether Ancelotti will revisit this setup, possibly maintaining the two holding players in front of the back line, or exploring alternatives that include Ceballos, Tchouaméni or Camavinga alongside the two mediocentros to keep options open for different opponents and moments in the season.
Vinicius has been a regular and an irreplaceable asset for Real Madrid this season, yet Rodrygo and Valverde did not have an easy start to 2023. Rodrygo, a former Santos talent, sits in a sensitive position: his status at the club is not guaranteed by default, despite ranking among the top five performers of the season for Madrid. His level is high enough to justify a strategic shift in the system, one that the coach has not routinely employed with Madrid in the recent past. This nuance highlights Rodrygo’s unique ability to influence games from midfield, not only by scoring but also through creating and orchestrating plays that let teammates arrive in dangerous goal-scoring moments. In addition to his ten goals, Rodrygo has delivered six assists this season, placing him among the team’s most involved players with 16 goal involvements, tied with Benzema and just behind Vinícius Júnior who leads with 20.
Valverde, for his part, has secured his place in the starting XI, but the early 2023 period proved challenging. Uruguay’s winger endured a rough patch after a difficult World Cup and a bumpy arrival to Qatar, compounded by personal pressures that affected performance on the field. He looked off the pace against Atlético de Madrid, yet gradually regained his form. The goal against Al-Ahly stands out as a highlight—a moment that can lift confidence and serve as a turning point for a player who contributes both in attack and defense at a high level. In moments like these, Valverde embodies Real Madrid’s intensity and resilience, often performing at an excellent level across the pitch and as a driver of the team’s pressing and transitions.
Overall, the trio of Vinicius, Rodrygo and Valverde continues to be the catalyst for Real Madrid’s most dangerous attacking phases. When placed in advanced positions with Benzema orchestrating from the tip of the attack, the team looks capable of sustaining pressure, creating chances, and protecting the lead through disciplined midfield work. Ancelotti’s challenge remains to maintain balance—letting the forwards express themselves without sacrificing the solidity that has underpinned Madrid’s defensive record. The ongoing evaluation of tactical formulas, be it a 4-2-3-1 or variations that leverage Rodrygo’s versatility, is a natural part of managing a squad with such breadth of talent. With consistent form and disciplined execution, the Madrid project remains firmly on track, driven by the synergy of these three attackers and the leadership of Benzema around whom the play often coalesces.