Real Madrid: 5 players who must shine against Osasuna

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MADRID, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 06: Luka Modric of Real Madrid passes the ball during the Quarter Final of Copa del Rey match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 6, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Ricardo Nogueira/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /

CM Luka Modric

Outside of a poor performance against a physical Real Valladolid team that bullied him out of the game in midfield, Luka Modric has been excellent over the past month. In his last five games, Modric, per WhoScored.com, has recorded seven key passes, eight dribbles completed, and one goal. Only Valladolid had any success taking the ball off Modric in midfield, as the 34-year-old has been as calm as ever in possession.

Modric will need to play incisive football against Osasuna. He’ll have to give everything for the full 90 minutes and overwhelm Osasuna with his technical quality, providing the service to Vinicius and Karim Benzema that they need to weave together attacks. Consider the Modric the X-Factor to Real’s success on Sunday.

LB Ferland Mendy

One of the best defensive fullbacks in the world right now, Ferland Mendy was sorely missed by Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. Mendy has truly come into his own over the past couple of months, culminating in some majestic football in January.

Mendy will have to cope with the threat of Roberto Torres, who leads Osasuna with 10 combined goals and assists this season. Sitting behind him is right back Nacho Vidal, who is averaging 1.y interceptions per game as one of La Liga’s better fullbacks.

The France international, however, is on his “A” game and has what it takes to handle Osasuna’s attacking play and help support Vinicius as he starts attacks for Los Blancos.

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