The Real Champs
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Real Madrid: 5 players who must shine against Manchester City

By Kevin Parvizi

VALENCIA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 22: Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid runs with the ball during the Liga match between Levante UD and Real Madrid CF at Ciutat de Valencia on February 22, 2020 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 22: Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid runs with the ball during the Liga match between Levante UD and Real Madrid CF at Ciutat de Valencia on February 22, 2020 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid will face Manchester City on Wednesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16. Here are five players who must shine in order for Los Blancos to get a win at home.

Every Champions League home game is a must-win proposition for a club, and a team must also be careful not to allow more than one away goal. Ideally, Real Madrid would flex its defensive might and hold Pep Guardiola‘s Manchester City to a clean sheet, but since City have players like Sergio Aguero and the world’s best assist provider in Kevin de Bruyne, that may not be a realistic goal.

Los Blancos are reeling after a 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo and a tough 1-0 loss on the road to Levante in La Liga, and they no longer have a firm grip on first place in the league over rivals FC Barcelona, whom they face this coming weekend.

Wednesday’s clash against Manchester City will be a true test for Zinedine Zidane‘s men, and these five stars must be at their best in order for the club to secure a victory.

CB Sergio Ramos

Whenever Real Madrid need someone to steady the ship and lead them to a victory during trying times, they always look for Sergio Ramos to set the example. The captain has scored so many key goals for the club despite being a center back, and his timely interventions on the defensive end are always welcome.

Ramos is the second-leading scorer in La Liga with five goals, which means he’ll be counted on to make decisive contributions in the penalty box during this Champions League campaign. That’s not ideal, but that’s where things stand for Real right now, especially with Karim Benzema in a serious goal-scoring slump.

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