Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. This victory gave them a small advantage before the return match next week at Metropolitano.
Rodrygo took Real up the lead in the fourth minute at Santiago Bernabeu, before Julian Alvarez leveled the score with a great effort late in the first half. The visiting team Atletico then seemed to control the game, until Brahim Diaz sealed the victory.
Los Blancos - who have not always played convincingly throughout the 90 minutes - should have scored a third goal in extra time. However, they have been overwhelmed twice by Atletico's resilient defence.
"The best thing about the game was our reaction to their early goal. We found an equalizer, Julian's goal showed we played well in the first half.
I left the Bernabeu feeling we played well. We can do better on the number of goals conceded. We have to continue to maintain this pace for the second leg, the match will be very difficult and tense, and we will have the support of the fans. This will be an important match" - Atletico coach Diego Simeone said.
Another Champions League match, another great, important goal was scored by Rodrygo. His fourth-minute goal put Real Madrid ahead, giving the home team an early advantage.
The Brazilian star plays very steadily in the Champions League. In the two matches against Manchester City in the play-off round, Rodrygo also performed extremely well and perhaps, he is no longer underrated. Only Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior are still getting more attention. But Rodrygo also deserves recognition.
25 goals in the Champions League for Real put Rodrygo in 8th place in the list of all-time top scorers of the "White Vultures" in the European Cup. The seven players above him are all among the biggest names in Real Madrid's history: Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Raul, Alfredo di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, Paco Gento and Vinicius.
Rodrygo is of course not that good. But he is a special player as Jude Bellingham once praised the Brazilian national team as the most talented star in the team, who will succeed at any other club. Rodrygo has also been proactive in moving the ball away from the back to support his midfield teammates, in a way that other big names at Real have not always been willing to do.
Rodrygo's performance this season has been undeniably excellent. Will the Brazilian have to leave the starting lineup to make way for Mbappe? Perhaps this is no longer a topic of debate.
"We have created a slight advantage and are determined to win a ticket to the next round. The return match will certainly be very difficult, Atletico will move up and put more pressure. However, this will still be a balanced confrontation because both teams are very high-class" - Ancelotti said.
