This international break has given Real Madrid a chance to stew on two worrying results.

The first was the 1-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League, reigniting doubts about Xabi Alonso’s side in big games.The second was a goalless draw against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga – making it the first time they had failed to score in back-to-back games as May 2023.That is despite Madrid boasting attacking stars Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, among others.

With 18 goals in 16 games, Mbappe has undoubtedly led the way. He has scored nearly 53 per cent of Madrid’s goals this season; at this stage of the last campaign, Vinicius Jr had provided the highest proportion with just over 28 per cent while Mbappe had scored 25 per cent.

Madrid are actually generating a higher expected goals (xG) figure under Alonso this year than last and scoring more goals and non-penalty goals, as the table below shows.But their shot conversion rate has gone down, despite taking more touches in the opposition box and shots than last campaign.

Real Madrid after 16 games this season/last season

So, who are the forwards who have been underperforming in front of goal?

Vinicius Jr (six games without a goal)

The 25-year-old Brazil forward is Madrid’s second-highest scorer for the season with five goals, but he now appears stuck and surrounded by controversy due to his difficult relationship with Alonso.

His last goal came against Villarreal on October 4, when he scored a double in a 3-1 win at the Bernabeu. Since then, he has not scored or provided an assist in six consecutive games.

Vinicius Jr’s tension with the n

real Madrid’s Right-Wing Riddle: The Search for a Solution

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is grappling with a persistent challenge: finding a consistent and effective performer on the right wing. Despite significant investment in attacking talent, the position remains a source of concern, with several players failing to fully deliver.

Franco Mastantuono (One Goal in 12 Games)

The 20-year-old Argentine winger arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu with considerable hype, but his impact has been limited so far. While he demonstrates flashes of quality and intensity, Mastantuono is still finding his feet. He has scored just once in 12 games, on September 23 against Levante. He provided an assist against Kairat in the Champions League, but his 3.3 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes in La Liga place him behind seven other Madrid players.

Staff sources say Mastantuono has shown plenty of personality since he arrived at madrid and has integrated well, constantly making jokes with his new team-mates. They add that Alonso asked the Argentine to be more aware of his positioning,particularly when it came to not peeling off the right wing so much.

He will need time to settle in – but his situation highlights Alonso’s difficulties on the right wing, where he has not found the piece to complete his puzzle.

!Franco mastantuono has shown flashes of quality but needs time (Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)

Rodrygo (13 Games Without a goal)

The 24-year-old Brazilian’s case is probably the most alarming. He has not scored a goal in an official match for Madrid since March 4 in the first leg of the Champions League round-of-16 tie against Atletico Madrid. His last goal in La Liga came on January 19.

Rodrygo has contributed just two assists in 13 games this term but he actually ranks highest for shot-creating actions per 90 in La Liga for Alonso’s squad, with 7.24 – more than Vinicius Jr and Mbappe.

In initial conversations with Alonso, he expressed his preference for playing on the left wing, where he feels more cozy but where his compatriot Vinicius Jr is well established. Rodrygo began playing there in August in place of Vinicius Jr, but in recent weeks he has returned to the right – his usual position since his €45million move from Santos in 2019.

Madrid and Alonso were both open to his departure in the summer if a reasonable offer came in, but this did not happen.