The Real Champs
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Real Madrid: 5 players who must step up in the Champions League

By Kevin Parvizi

SANTIAGO BERNABEU, MADRID, SPAIN - 2020/02/01: Real Madrid CF's Karim Benzema celebrates a goal during the Spanish La Liga match round 22 between Real Madrid and Atletico de Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid.(Final score; Real Madrid 1-0 Atlético de Madrid). (Photo by Manu Reino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
SANTIAGO BERNABEU, MADRID, SPAIN - 2020/02/01: Real Madrid CF's Karim Benzema celebrates a goal during the Spanish La Liga match round 22 between Real Madrid and Atletico de Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid.(Final score; Real Madrid 1-0 Atlético de Madrid). (Photo by Manu Reino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid will face Manchester City in the Champions League Round of 16 on Feb. 26, and here are five players who must step up when the competition heats up in the knockout stages.

Although Real Madrid were able to get through to the knockout stages of the Champions League and will face Manchester City next week, they have plenty to learn from during the group stages of the competitions. There were highs, such as their first half against PSG and their blowout win over Galatasaray, but there were also serious lows against PSG and Club Brugge early in the campaign.

Los Blancos are undoubtedly much stronger in 2020 than they were even in the Fall of 2019. They’ve overcome an injury to Eden Hazard, built the strongest defense in all of Europe, received huge bounce-back performances from veteran midfielders Isco and Luka Modric, and can now boast one of Europe’s finest goalkeepers in Thibaut Courtois.

That said, being “good” isn’t enough in the Champions League knockout stages; near-perfection is required. And with a near-perfect team in Liverpool, Bundesliga powerhouses, the familiar PSG, and the dangerous first-round opponents Manchester City all in the mix, Real must meet that high standard.

This team is indeed capable of doing so, especially under three-time competition winner Zinedine Zidane. In order to fulfill their potential as 2019-2020 champions, here are five players who must step up and play to their world-class potential in the knockout stages.

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