The Real Madrid managed to defeat Atlético in the Champions League round of 16 clash. They had to do it in the penalty shootout, after the regular time and the corresponding overtime ended in a draw. Rüdiger was responsible for scoring the fifth and decisive penalty, but, after the match ended, Ancelotti discovered that, on paper, the plan was different.
Rüdiger Wasn't Supposed to Take the Fifth Penalty
Initially, the plan at Real Madrid placed Rüdiger out of the penalty shootout, with someone else assigned to take the fifth shot: Endrick. Ancelotti himself discovered this shortly after the knockout stage ended, realizing that he didn't see the Brazilian forward fully prepared to take on that great responsibility.
"We hesitated between Endrick and Rüdiger. I saw Endrick's face and we said: 'Better Rüdiger'", noted Ancelotti.
The move worked out well for the Real Madrid coach, who saw his chosen players score four of the five penalties. Only Lucas Vázquez missed against Oblak, while Atlético ended up condemned by a final shot to the crossbar by Marcos Llorente, a Real Madrid youth academy graduate. They also had bad luck with the previous slip of Julián Álvarez, who, although he scored, saw his goal annulled by VAR for having touched the ball twice.
Endrick, Affected at Real Madrid
One must always be prepared at Real Madrid for anything that might happen. Endrick entered the match in the final minutes of overtime to try to score a heroic goal or shoot in the penalty shootout. Neither happened. Ancelotti didn't see him fully convinced and preferred not to take the risk, giving all the responsibility to a veteran like Rüdiger.
Endrick is completing his adaptation this season to the white team, but it's not been entirely easy. The Italian doesn't fully trust him, as reflected in the minutes he has played so far. 495' spread over 28 matches, in which he has managed to score six goals.
Ancelotti's confidence in Endrick is even more affected, leaving his future in doubt at Real Madrid. In any case, Florentino seems to have it clear: the Brazilian is untouchable. He is the forward who must succeed in the coming years at Santiago Bernabéu: the bet on him is total, as reflected in the price paid to Palmeiras.