The Real Champs
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
BRUGGE, BELGIUM – DECEMBER 11: Rodrygo of Real Madrid celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Club Brugge KV and Real Madrid at Jan Breydel Stadium on December 11, 2019 in Brugge, Bruges, Belgium. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
BRUGGE, BELGIUM – DECEMBER 11: Rodrygo of Real Madrid celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Club Brugge KV and Real Madrid at Jan Breydel Stadium on December 11, 2019 in Brugge, Bruges, Belgium. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /

RW Rodrygo

Rodrygo will almost certainly start with Gareth Bale out due to a respiratory tract infection and Lucas Vazquez not quite 100-percent after a freak gym injury. The 18-year-old Brazilian has been excellent in his first season with the club from Santos, and Real Madrid fans will never forget his debut goal against Osasuna.

He’s also provided other wonderful moments, such as a perfect hat-trick against Galatasaray in the Champions League and a technically-prolific volley against Club Brugge in the same competition. Rodrygo has been at his best in tournaments, and he could be a major key to victory for Los Blancos against Valencia.

CM Fede Valverde

But the real key to victory is Fede Valverde. He is the only non-forward on this list, but he’ll still be asked to step up for Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema against Valencia. Valverde’s inclusion off the bench against Getafe was a game-changer, and it is scary how much better Los Blancos look with the 21-year-old Uruguayan in the lineup.

He nearly assisted Bale and then assisted Luka Modric in the 96th minute after receiving a wonderful pass from Bale. Valverde runs all over the pitch, and he’ll be tasked with doing even more offensively with Benzema out.

Next. Real Madrid Predicted XI against Valencia. dark

The young star has also scored two goals from outside the box this season, showing wonderful technique on his first-time efforts. Perhaps he’ll be asked to provide the finishing goods on Wednesday, too.

Home/Analysis