Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez's goal against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday did more than send Real Madrid to the semifinals of the Champions League, it may have reversed his fortunes in the Spanish capital.
Having little-to-no impact on the club prior to Wednesday's contest, Hernandez's future at Madrid was explicit. The club even went as far as admitting his acquisition was a mistake.
"They [Real Madrid] acknowledge they could have been wrong about him after what he has contributed," COPE journalist Melchor Ruiz told the 'El Partido de las 12' programme (via Yahoo Sport). "It has not been good for the player how the season has gone. They also believe it wasn't necessary to sign him, as he has not had many minutes."
One goal and one all-important victory later, that stance will have a change in tone, but it shouldn't.
Simply put: Hernandez still isn't good enough to feature for Real Madrid on a week-in, week-out basis. One goal does not change that fact.
Admittedly, there are positives for the Mexican international. He was dangerous throughout the afternoon, finding pockets of space and terrorizing Atletico Madrid's back line. His movement and positional awareness was eventually rewarded in the 88th minute. His improved performance can even be traced back to Sunday's 3-1 victory over Malaga; however, it's still not enough to supplant Karim Benzema in the starting XI.
When healthy, the Frenchman is still a far-better option for Carlo Ancelotti and Hernandez will once again be relegated to the bench, despite his heroics.
Desperate for minutes and that being his reality, don't expect to see him at the Santiago Bernabeu come next fall.
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