Real Madrid: 5 players who must shine against Real Valladolid

RB Nacho Fernandez

Alvaro Odriozola has joined Bayern Munich on loan, while Dani Carvajal will be suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card (and a stupid one at that) in the win over Sevilla.

So Nacho Fernandez is the most likely option to start at right back. The versatile veteran defender is mostly a center back, but he’s been used far more frequently this season as an emergency left back option when neither Ferland Mendy nor Marcelo are available for Los Blancos.

Nacho has acquitted himself well on the left side of Real’s defense, so they’ll expect him to be similarly solid on the right. The drop-off between Carvajal and Nacho in the attack will be interesting to see, but if Nacho can provide good enough deliveries for Karim Benzema, the team can make do.

CB Eder Militao

Eder Militao is another defender to watch on Sunday, because Sergio Ramos may not be able to play. He suffered an ankle injury in the Spanish Supercup win over Atletico Madrid a couple of weeks ago, and while he finished the game through the pain, he could not suit up against Sevilla.

Ramos is back in practice and healthy, but Zinedine Zidane could rest the captain on Matchweek 21 against Valladolid, whom Real should be able to beat without him.

If that’s the case, then look for Militao to have another strong performance at the heart of Real’s defense. He’s been great this season, and there’s been no drop-off whenever he is in the lineup.