Real Madrid: Top 5 performances from 4-0 win over Eibar

CB Raphael Varane

Puzzlingly, you can always find a few fans on social media who criticize Raphael Varane for not being as good as he once was, and they constantly question if the French center back is still one of the best players in the world at his position.

But Varane unequivocally is world class. He’s been consistently excellent this season, with the exception of one poor game against PSG in September in which basically the entire team looked lifeless. Varane has been incredibly active defensively, covering wide spaces and making Dani Carvajal look better than he is.

Furthermore, Varane is impossible to beat in the air or in one-on-one situations. He is a one-of-a-kind defensive player who possesses great leadership, strength, intelligence, and speed, blending all of those skills as the perfect center back partner for captain Sergio Ramos.

Varane absolutely bossed Eibar’s attackers out of the game on Saturday, recording three interceptions, seven clearances, and a team-high five aerial duels in another massive display on the back line.

Fans need to make sure to praise Varane more often for Los Merengues’ dominant defense this season, and he’s been instrumental in the 500+ minutes Thibaut Courtois has played without conceding a single goal.