Real Madrid: 5 players who need to shine vs. Sevilla
Real Madrid will face Sevilla on Matchweek 20 in La Liga, and here are five players who must play at a high level in order for Los Blancos to pick up all three points at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Sevilla currently sit fourth in the league table and are tied on points with third-place Atletico Madrid, so Real Madrid will need to be at their best on Saturday in order to pick up all three points at the Santiago Bernabeu against their rivals.
Earlier this season, Real produced a professional performance at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, edging out former manager Julen Lopetegui’s side 1-0 behind a headed goal from star striker Karim Benzema.
Real are a stronger side in January than they were in September and are also coming off a Spanish Supercup win, but injuries and suspensions mean that the available players in Zinedine Zidane’s squad will need to show their quality on Saturday.
Here are five players, in particular, who must shine on Matchweek 20.
CB Raphael Varane
Raphael Varane scored and forced an own goal in Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over Getafe in their last league contest. Despite the dominant scoreline, Los Blancos were at risk of falling behind in the first half, as an impervious Thibaut Courtois thwarted several wonderful efforts from the fiery opposition to preserve a clean sheet.
With Sergio Ramos out due to an ankle injury he sustained in the Spanish Supercup final, Varane will be that much more important to Madrid’s success on Saturday. Not only will they need his continued brilliance in defense on the back line, but they may also need the France international to come through with a clutch goal of his own.
Varane remains one of the world’s best all-around defenders, and he will most likely show that quality on Matchweek 20 in front of the home supporters.