Real Madrid ‘tearing their hair out’ as Rodri becomes key Barcelona figure – report

Real Madrid are reportedly "tearing their hair out" over their inability to convince midfielder Rodri to remain with the club. The Spanish capital is in a quandary as Barcelona quickly establishes Rodri as a key figure in their team. Mundo Deportivo reveals that Madrid fans are dismayed by their failure to secure the Spain international.

Barcelona fans, on the other hand, are delighted to welcome a player who has already proven his worth in La Liga. Seven games into the season, Barça is six points ahead of Real Madrid and has delivered the type of attacking football that has garnered widespread acclaim. Meanwhile, Mourinho's team continues to face scrutiny regarding their performance.

Rodri seems to have integrated seamlessly into Barcelona's lineup. The midfielder has quickly adapted to his new surroundings, offering crucial link-ups between Barcelona's defense and midfield. He has also demonstrated his defensive capabilities by dropping deeper when necessary, as seen in a recent victory against Sevilla. Barcelona's midfield now consists of Pedri and Rodri, who together form a midfield partnership capable of controlling games while providing freedom to players ahead of them.

Rodri's smooth transition away from the pitch is attributed to his familiarity with many members of the Spanish national team. Real Madrid's regret over not making more of an effort to retain Rodri is evident as they now scramble to find a suitable replacement for his playmaking abilities. The midfielder even personally contacted Mourinho to express his gratitude for the club's interest and to explain his choice of Barcelona.

Consequently, Madrid has since focused on securing a new player, rather than finding a direct replacement for the missing playmaking attributes. Barcelona's acquisition of Rodri has been particularly satisfying for the Catalan club.