Real Madrid has established the habit of keeping an 11-meter expert on staff at all times. During the previous ten years, Cristiano Ronaldo was the principal executor. Sergio Ramos took over after he moved for Juventus, carrying on the incredible success story of the Portuguese player.

After Camas, who had played in few games throughout his career, went for PSG, it was Benzema’s turn. However, the Frenchman worked incredibly well as a stand-in. With his renowned “Panenka” at the Etihad and the one after that at the Bernabéu, he helped Madrid to the Champions League final after overcoming his early disappointments. He really started with a 100% success record.

This season, without him, the conversation about his replacement began. The focus was on Rodrygo, who had already been hit three times with perfect effect last year. He did not go on to score in the Liga Clásico at the Bernabéu.

It seemed like the right move when the Brazilian opened the scoring in their opening league match of the season against Balaídos. But under pressure and in a scoreless draw, he made a mistake that exacerbated the mistake he made with Brazil against Croatia in the World Cup penalty shootout.

Consequently, the debate has come to a consensus at the White House, especially considering the latest events. Counting the preseason, they have tried three attempts, and none of them have produced a conversion. Who then should be the team’s starting pitcher?

Each gallon

These are the two players: Kroos and Modric. Two seasoned players who maintain their composure under pressure and hit well. It was already displayed in Arabia: “What is the penalty secret? The most experienced players. The three with the most experience and coolest, Karim, Kroos, and Modric, took the initial shot,” Ancelotti said after Valencia’s defeat in the Spanish Super Cup shootout.

One disadvantage is that they are not able to initiate games frequently, especially with the Croatian. Moreover, they are not as knowledgeable as one may believe.

Modric has only scored four goals in white (not including sets) in his two seasons in La Liga, despite having a longer history with his team. The last Club World Cup, he did not fare well.

Modric accepting his missed penalty in the Club World Cup of 2023

Kroos, on the other hand, has taken chances with Madrid, heads and tails. Throughout his professional career, he has only taken three official matches, excluding shootouts (all goals, and all with Germany). One was when he was stopped by a young Donnarumma in a friendly versus Milan. The other incident happened during Valencia’s most recent Spanish Super Cup penalty shootout encounter. He had an argument. At the Bernabéu, he commits a second mistake, this time with the Bayern shirt. In 2011–12, he took part in the Champions League semifinals.

Regarding form

Bellingham ought to be present. The Englishman is amiable and shares almost anything he touches on the internet. He has proven to have personality, which is important when taking a punishment. However, his experience is restricted to eleven meters. It is primarily impacted by his age. He has only taken two, both of which he scored during Dortmund’s previous campaign. One occurred in the Bundesliga against Moenchengladbach (the one pictured here), while the other was in the Cup against Hannover.

Even though he is still fairly young and might be in the stripes, Vinicius might also be included in this. Due to the injury he suffered at Balaídos at the end of August, his season has only just began. But he’s getting back to his level now.

According to Vini’s story, he lacks experience. He has thrown two in official matches during his career, one with Brazil and one without a goal. Being the first pitcher of white to compete in the US Classic during the previous preseason was a gamble he took. He moved it in opposition to the crossbar. Being a dependable choice is not his current goal.

In the preseason Classic, Vinicius hits the crossbar with his penalty.

By hitting

There’s room for many, given the quality of the group. For example, Kroos Modric has already been covered. In order to prevent repetition, we will bring up Valverde and Alaba. It looks like a sensible decision from 11 meters out, especially because the Austrian has shown that a free strike entails risk. However, he hasn’t applied the worst punishment since 2015. Moreover, he only achieves a 66% success rate (8 out of 12).

The substitute is Fede Valverde. Because of the severity of the beating, he is a candidate. Still, he has no prior experience. It is the first penalty he has faced since he was younger. It narrows down his options.

The professionals

The most knowledgeable employee would have to make the most sensible decision. Joselu’s restricted list of executions means that even after eliminating Rodrygo, he is still there. His most recent defeat against Osasuna has cast doubt on him, but it’s crucial to keep in mind that he performed admirably for Espanyol the previous campaign. Five out of six inside a year.

 

It is in fact different to put them in Madrid, where there is more pressure. Joselu, though, has shown that this has no effect on him. In the previous season, he scored five goals, all of which came in situations where his side was never ahead on the scoreboard. Every time, he tried to beat his team (Getafe), draw even (Celta and Barcelona), or get closer (Sevilla and Atlético). Pay close attention to the last two in particular. Two things stood out: first, it was scheduled to take place at Camp Nou; second, it would end in a draw in the 98th minute on the opposite team’s pitch.

The Madrid player who scored the game-winning goal against Osasuna was in a far more comfortable position with the score at 4-0 and in the final moments of the match. Perhaps that was a factor in his demise as well.

Joselu has taken 21 maximum penalties and converted 15, giving him a 71.4% success rate in La Liga. He is not exceptional—a penalty has a 76% probability of succeeding, as has been shown—but he has grown better over time as he gained experience. He has thrown 13 of those 21 in the last three seasons, missing only two.

Joselu scores an Alavés penalty in their matchup with Real Sociedad.

Ancelotti’s decision

Given the circumstances, it would seem sense that Joselu, the pitcher if he is on the field, should be the one with his experience and reliability. That is another topic, the gallon problem.

Ancelotti has a set list, even though he allows the players to make decisions based on their feelings and the players’ position on the pitch. Joselu is his first option, as he said following the game against Osasuna: “Every game the pitcher changes because there isn’t always the same lineup.” Today Joselu had to throw it away. Joselu was the thrower, but I’m not sure whether they’ve discussed giving Rodrygo a chance to play. I’m not sure what other details they had addressed, but Rodrygo was free to discard it if he so chose.

Because of this, he also has Rodrygo, despite the fact that the Croatian is superior when Modric is there, as he said after the match against Celta.

In any case, it’s clear that there is room for debate and that having a clear hierarchical structure would be most advantageous to the team. Future penalties could be even more historic, thus Madrid needs to improve upon its current 11-meter play.