Alvaro Rodriguez will play an important first team role for Real Madrid in the coming weeks.
Carlo Ancelotti opted to throw him on for a late cameo debut at El Sadar as they closed the title gap on Barcelona to five points overnight.
The 18-year-old produced two assists in dying minutes, with one ruled out for offside, as he impressed, to help the visitors over the line.
With Real Madrid facing a busy schedule across three competitions in the weeks ahead, Ancelotti confirmed his plan to him involved in his squad, ahead of their Champions League return.
“He’s a player with many qualities. He’s very tall, controls the ball well, and is formidable in the air”, as per reports from Diario AS.
“He’s a striker who can help us, as he helped us today. It’s not easy for a young man to enter a Real Madrid game and play well.
“He’s made the difference inside ten minutes and given two assists. He’s going to help us this season, I am convinced.”
Benzema is rated as doubtful for the midweek Champions League trip to Liverpool and Rodriguez is set to retain his place in Ancelotti’s squad.