Few players in recent years have shown more willingness to stay to succeed at Real Madrid than Mariano diaz, the Catalan youth squad and striker who returned to the club in the summer of 2018. Without the confidence of Zidane, Madrid have tried to transfer him as it was in the last two summers, but they have always met with the player’s refusal.
With the injury of Karim Benzema and the positive for the Covid of Luka Jovic, Mariano has finally found a hole in the eleven. He has done well and received praise from around the world. Benzema returned to the list yesterday Sunday and the big question right now that Real Madrid is asking is whether Zidane will prefer to play at the start against him Shakhtar with the French forward (he does not like to risk) or he will bet on Mariano again.
Without the confidence of the coach
Mariano was the front quarter for Zidane
The truth is that, to this day, for the Mariano club he emerges as the main replacement for Benzema. It is already an advance because he started the preseason as a forward quarter, behind Benzema, Luka Jovic and Borja Mayoral. Madrid had two of the four left over and the club debated throughout the summer who was staying as the Frenchman’s companion. For Mariano, (27 years old and with a contract until 2023), hardly any offers came and the player did not want to lower his salary of almost five million net either. It also did not help that there were offers that Mariano tested positive for Covid at the end of July.
In favor of Mariano’s continuity there was also the situation of Jovic and his lack of adaptation to the club and the city. Madrid put the Serbian on the market, but in the end chose to give him another chance, given what it cost (60 million) and his age, 22 years. Thus, it was Borja Mayoral who got the Chinese and had to go to Roma despite the fact that in Zidane’s ranking he was above Mariano.
Better stats
Mariano has already improved his records from last year
Mariano started the season as usual, substitute substitute. He was neither summoned. The injuries of those who were ahead of him were opening a gap, first in the calls and then in the games.
To date he has played 247 minutes spread over four games and has scored a goal. It doesn’t seem like a big deal for ten league games and four Champions League games, but it is if compared to the entire previous season, in which he only had 87 minutes between seven games, and scored a goal (against Barcelona at the Bernabeu).
A demanding schedule
Many strong rivals in a few days
With a Jovic every day more out of the loop and with a limping Benzema, the demanding calendar puts Mariano in front of his great opportunity: Shakhtar tomorrow Tuesday, Saturday the 5th Seville, Wednesday the 9th Borussia and Saturday the 12th Atlético . Those who know him well say that the best thing about Mariano is his self-confidence. Now or never. Walk or bust.
