After more than three months, Endrick was once again in Real Madrid’s starting lineup in the Copa del Rey. He was only able to make limited use of this opportunity.
His first cup appearance of the season. Against CD Minera, a fourth division team. In the middle of a packed schedule, with the Supercopa matches coming up. As much as he generally lines up for quality and only partially believes in rotation, in this game even Carlo Ancelotti could no longer justify keeping Endrick out of the starting lineup.
It was the first time in over three months that the 18-year-old Brazilian had started a game. The dynamic left-footer, who prefers to play as a central striker, had made two dream debuts at the start of the season. He scored in the first league game against Real Valladolid at the end of August after coming on as a late substitute, and then again in the Champions League debut against VfB Stuttgart in mid-September.
But his much-discussed goal against Stuttgart – in a counterattack with a man advantage, he simply shot from 25 meters out – already hinted at the problems Endrick still has. And which, in just six brief appearances since then, have not even given him an hour of playing time in total. Endrick wants too much. Which means that his rare chances – a vicious circle – don’t come more often.
The fact that Endrick didn’t score in the 5-0 match fit into the picture
The top talent always gives 100 percent, but in some situations Endrick goes overboard. He often dribbles into several opponents without any need to, goes into duels over-motivated, repeatedly overlooks better-positioned teammates in his great desire to score own goals, or shoots too early and with no chance of success. The opposing goalkeeper can’t always help a little, as he did against VfB.
On the contrary. In the 5-0 win for the Whites, which could have been much more one-sided, Minera’s goalkeeper Fran Martinez made 16 outstanding saves, including several against Endrick, who could well have scored a brace or even a hat-trick. The fact that Real’s center forward (he switched to the right wing in the second half) was unable to score in this rout, however, was fitting.
“He moved well and created a few opportunities,” said coach Ancelotti after the game, praising one who, like his compatriots Vinicius Junior or Rodrygo, is to be carefully developed. Nevertheless, the Italian’s other comments were more telling. “He didn’t score because he lacked a bit of accuracy,” Ancelotti said, probably not only referring to Endricks’ finishing, who “has to stay patient”. Because when it comes to the things he needs to improve first, the improvement is still a long time coming.
