Real Madrid: 5 key players against Galatasaray

Real Madrid will face Galatasaray on Tuesday needing a win, and here are five players who could play decisive roles against the Turkish powerhouse.

Zinedine Zidane will have to lead his men to yet another bounce-back performance this season, because Real Madrid embarrassed themselves at the Iberostar Stadium on Saturday, losing 1-0 to Real Mallorca. Their opponents are a newly-promoted side who were in the relegation picture before picking up three points at home, whereas Real’s loss knocked them out of first place to the benefit of arch rivals Barcelona.

Real Madrid have been poor in the Champions League this year, failing to pick up three points against either PSG, playing without their attacking trio of superstars, or Club Brugge. That makes this Tuesday’s game against Galatasaray a must-win for Real, as a draw may not be enough to help Los Blancos compete in their group.

While Real aren’t at risk of failing to advance to the knockout stages, which would be a catastrophe for Zidane, the discussion will turn in that direction if the club suffers another upset loss. Galatasaray aren’t to be taken lightly, as the foot-off-the-gas mentality led to letdown performances against Brugge and Mallorca.

Here are five players on Los Blancos who could swing the balance of the game and ensure that the away side pick up the expected three points.