The Real Champs
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Real Madrid: 5 players who must step up with Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale out

By Kevin Parvizi

GETFAE, SPAIN- JANUARY 04: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Djene of FC Getafe and Luka Jovic of Real Madrid battle for the ball during the Liga match between Getafe CF and Real Madrid CF at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on January 4, 2020 in Getafe, Spain. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
GETFAE, SPAIN- JANUARY 04: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Djene of FC Getafe and Luka Jovic of Real Madrid battle for the ball during the Liga match between Getafe CF and Real Madrid CF at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on January 4, 2020 in Getafe, Spain. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid LW Vinicius Junior
MADRID, SPAIN – JANUARY 4: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid during the Liga match between Getafe CF and Real Madrid CF at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on January 4, 2020 in Getafe, Spain. (Photo by Perez Meca/MB Media/Getty Images) /

FW Brahim Diaz

Mired in transfer rumors, Brahim Diaz has resisted all of Real Madrid’s attempts to convince him that a loan deal is best for his career. Brahim has gambled on receiving minutes from Zinedine Zidane this season, but he’s only made a handful of appearances off the bench, predictably unable to do much with them.

The Spain international is one of the more promising attacking prospects in Europe, but he needs game time. With Bale and Benzema out, Brahim could receive more precious minutes against Valencia, but as a substitute, the onus will be on him to make something happen from nothing.

Still, if the second encounter between these two teams is as close as their December match at the Mestalla, Brahim could have a chance to play the hero.

LW Vinicius Junior

Eden Hazard is still a few weeks away from returning, and even if he were somehow healthy enough to play on Jan. 8, Zinedine Zidane would never risk his best player on an in-season tournament of little consequence to the club.

But these matches are still important for young, improving players like Vinicius Junior. He’ll want to continue to soak up minutes. Vinicius has been hard-working, lively, and unselfish this season. There’s still a learning curve, especially when he penetrates the opposition’s penalty box, but he clearly makes everyone around him better.

Without Benzema, Vinicius will be asked to carry even more of a creative role. And wouldn’t it be something if he scored his second goal of the campaign on Wednesday?

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