Danilo Conundrum for Real Madrid Highlighted by Nolito and Celta Vigo

Forty-eight minutes were up on the clock, and the mood of the afternoon was quickly changing. On the scoreboard Real Madrid led comfortably, but somehow the ascendancy that typically accompanies such a position wasn't theirs. Despite the early goals against them, it was Celta Vigo who had it. The hosts were hitting back. Hard.

Thanks to Nolito. 

In the build-up to Saturday's game at Balaidos, we'd gushed in our preview over the Spaniard's sparkling and leg-tangling form this season and thus put our spotlight on the man who would have the responsibility of dealing with him: Real Madrid's Danilo. 

Consequently, it was a moment after 48 minutes had ticked by at Balaidos that was significant. From midfield, the ball was flashed out wide to Nolito on the left sideline, a rare heavy touch seeing it bounce a few feet away. Seeing an opportunity, Danilo slid in for the tackle and forced the ball out of play, before giving Nolito a helping hand to his feet. 

The point here?

It was the only time Danilo got near him all day. 

MIGUEL RIOPA/Getty Images

From the Brazilian right-back, Saturday's performance left behind conflicting sensations that were difficult to decipher in real time. Until this clash with Celta, he'd looked a tad ungainly in previous outings, his work on the ball lacking sharpness and his overall game feeling a touch messy. But not here; here there were some encouraging signs. Here his game had considerably more precision and power. Well, in attack it did. 

In the opening half, Danilo was a potent outlet for Madrid. With his marauding runs forward, Rafa Benitez's men were menacing down the right, and it was the former Porto man who doubled their lead with a fine strike on 23 minutes.  

"Danilo, no shy shooter," Marca would note afterward. Not shy at all.

But that was part of the problem. 

After six minutes in an immensely important away game, the right-back had already taken a shot on goal and had spent time in Celta's box. After eight, he'd been caught standing where a No. 10 would be when Lucas Vazquez turned the ball over. After 10, he'd watched Nolito stroll by him and was fortunate that the resulting shot flew over the bar. 

What role was he playing then—full-back? Winger? Everywhere Man?

"It's an interesting tactical battle on that far side," Rob Palmer said on commentary, "because Danilo is supposed to be taking care of the star Nolito, but here he is leading the charge again."

Lalo R. Villar/Associated Press

That was the theme of the afternoon. Time and time again Danilo stormed forward with Nolito behind him, not just playing with fire but also standing in a puddle of petrol as he did so. Twice he shot on goal. Twice he popped up in a No. 10's spot. Twice he was the target for balls put in toward the six-yard box. Three times he made touches in Celta's penalty area. And overall, according to WhoScored.com, almost half of his touches came in Celta's half. 

Certainly, such attacking endeavour is both commendable and valuable at the right time. But consider the impact of his direct opponent, the man whom he had responsibility for. 

Nolito cruised past him on six occasions, leaving Danilo's legs tied in knots by the game's conclusion. Of the six, four directly resulted in shots on goal either for Nolito or a team-mate, one forcing Keylor Navas to make a stupendous diving save and another seeing Marcelo clear the ball off the line. As for the two that didn't result in shots, one became a dangerous ball across the six-yard box, and the other saw a chance squandered because of a heavy touch. 

For Real Madrid and Danilo, then, escape was a case of fortune, and by the end of the afternoon, Nolito's stat line read: one goal, three shots, five chances created, eight successful dribbles and more touches than every other player on the pitch bar one. 

Whichever way you cut it, that's not "job complete" for the defender. And herein lies the conundrum. 

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What Real Madrid have bought in Danilo is a good full-back but not a flawless one. Though he possesses power and straight-line speed, he lacks agility and nimbleness; though he's strong in physical duels, he's vulnerable against quick feet; though he's potent with the ball, he's not yet potent without it; though he can score goals, he's not truly elite at stopping them. Not yet. 

At 24, Danilo still has a rawness about him, as though he's still a work in progress. And that's a problem at Real Madrid when his price tag is €31.5 million—a price tag that demands he plays. One that demands he plays even when he shouldn't. 

Indeed, if this were a meritocracy, Daniel Carvajal would be raced back into this team when he returns from injury. Right now, as a two-way full-back, as a source of reliability, the Spaniard has the edge on the Brazilian, but this is a positional battle complicated by dollar signs.  

When both are fit, it's most likely Danilo who'll play even when it's Carvajal who should. Benitez has little choice.  

"He solves a problem that does not exist," AS editor Alfredo Relano said of Danilo following his signing.

And that's true. Awkwardly, however, his signing has actually created one.