Franco Mastantuono keeps committing the same annoying sin

Although Real Madrid got back to winning ways in La Liga this weekend with a 2-1 victory over pesky local rivals Rayo Vallecano, their performance was, once again, far from convincing.

Even under Alvaro Arbeloa, the displays on the pitch from the Royal Whites have been concerning, and while a 2-1 win over Rayo is a bounce back over the collapse against Benfica in the Champions League, they were fortunate to have won the game thanks to a late Kylian Mbappe penalty.

There are a number of players at Real Madrid who are not pulling their weight in the starting lineup, and while he is just a young kid taking his lumps who is doing his best to grow into a future superstar, the reality is that Franco Mastantuono looks like a guy who is not ready for the first team.

Real Madrid chose Mastantuono as a right wing option over Endrick, which is a decision they have likely come to regret, given that Endrick looks a lot more ready for senior football than Mastantuono.

The Argentinian playmaker worked hard again for Real Madrid vs. Rayo Vallecano, but all of his hard defensive work and movement were not exactly effective work.

Mastantuono failed to create a single chance for his teammates, failed to complete a single take on, and was one of the team’s least effective passers before mercifully being taken off at 59 minutes at which point Real did improve without him.

Real Madrid fans have to be frustrated with how often Mastantuono passes backwards or dribbles sideways. His lack of incisiveness is an annoyance impending on the attack, as passes to the right flank at Mastantuono are bound nowhere with the young player unable to beat defenders one on one and unwilling to take risks as a passer with the ball.

Los Blancos need players in the attack with character and athleticism, and Mastantuono has shown neither trait on the wings. His backwards passing is a big part of the problem in the Madrid front line.