At the start of the season, it seemed like Carlo Ancelotti would be going forward with Hazard and Bale on the wings. However, neither player finished the first two games of the season. Hazard has been plagued by injuries again while Bale has been left on the bench.
Ancelotti’s first choice trio to lead his 4-3-3 now consists of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Karim Benzema. Real Madrid have not lost a single game where the two Brazilians have started alongside Benzema. They have won nine out of twelve games played, and have drawn three.
This just goes to show that the two youngsters are finally starting to fulfill their potential. They were recruited very early, and are now starting to show the quality that the scouts saw years ago. Vinicius has managed to become a much more complete player now, with his 5 goal tally in La Liga a career best so far.
Ancelotti started Benzema, Vinicius and Rodrygo together for the first time when Rayo Vallecano visited the Bernabeu. Madrid won that game 6-1, and the formula has paid off for the Italian so far. The most recent win for him in El Clasico against Barcelona at Camp Nou.
The trio has scored 14 out of Madrid’s 26 goals so far. While Bale and Hazard are experienced players who have competed at the top levels, it is unlikely that they will be able to better the form that the two young Brazilians are showing right now.