Real Madrid News
Real Madrid youngster making an impression on loan in Italy
After signing Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo Goes from Brazil, Real Madrid splashed the cash on Reinier Jesus during the January transfer window of 2020.
However, the attacking midfielder has failed to follow in the footsteps of his fellow Brazilians and is yet to make his senior bow for the Merengues.
Reinier spent two disappointing seasons on loan at Borussia Dortmund between 2020 and 2022, and had another middling temporary spell with Girona during 2022/23.
Back at Real Madrid this past summer, the Brazilian was nowhere near the first-team picture and was able to secure a loan move to Serie A minnows Frosinone late in the transfer window.
Making an impression after a slow start
Things did not begin well for Reinier in Serie A as he found minutes extremely hard to come by in the early parts of the campaign under manager Eusebio Di Francesco.
However, things have taken a turn for the better for the Brazilian prospect in recent matches, with the young attacking midfielder starting to become a difference-maker for his loan club.
Indeed, playing the role of a ‘trequartista’ in Frosinone’s 4-2-3-1 setup, Reinier starting to influence matches on a regular basis.
In four games for the Italian club in all competitions, the 21-year-old has now managed to produce a return of two goals and two assists – more than what he had managed at Borussia Dortmund (1G, 1A in 39 games) and Girona (2G, 1A in 18 games).
Di Francesco impressed by Reinier
Having been slow to hand him minutes in the early parts of the season, Frosinone boss Eusebio Di Francesco is starting to trust Reinier more and more now.
Speaking of the Real Madrid loanee recently, the former AS Roma manager said (h/t MARCA): “In the last 20-25 metres he is decisive. He has a lot of talent, he knows how to play with the ball, and reads games well.”
“He arrived here in bad physical condition because he had been training on his own for 25 days, but now he is in excellent shape and showing important numbers.”
Reinier himself appears to be enjoying his time in Italy, as he said: “I like the attacking football that the coach plays.”
It remains to be seen if the Brazilian can keep up this impressive run for the rest of the season and whether it earns him a place at Real Madrid come next season.
Real Madrid are back in the Champions League following their impressive win against Cadiz on the weekend as they host Napoli at the Santiago Bernabeu for gameweek five.
They have already secured qualification to the round of 16, and even a point today would secure first place in the group.
With several players still injured, Carlo Ancelotti has opted for his best available starting lineup, with Daniel Carvajal taking responsibility of the captain’s armband at right-back. He will be aided by Ferland Mendy, who starts on the other side.
Meanwhile, in between them, David Alaba returns to the fold as the starting centre-back, partnering Antonio Rudiger. This duo has the responsibility of screening Andriy Lunin, who continues in goal in Kepa and Thibaut Courtois’ absence.
With both Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni out, Toni Kroos gets the chance to play as the holding midfielder for two games in a row. Federico Valverde retains his spot, as well, while Dani Ceballos comes in for the injured Luka Modric in central midfield.
Rodrygo will spearhead the team’s frontline as one of the two twin forwards, while Brahim Diaz gets the nod over Joselu. Jude Bellingham is the final, and arguably the most important piece of the puzzle, playing behind the front-two.
📋✅ Our starting 𝗫𝗜!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 29, 2023
🆚 @en_sscnapoli #UCL pic.twitter.com/MarLb7TavA
Confirmed Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Ceballos; Bellingham; Diaz, Rodrygo
