Real Madrid: 5 players who must shine vs. Eibar

Real Madrid will face Eibar at the Alfredo Di Stefano on Sunday.

La Liga returned on Thursday, June 15 with the Seville Derby, as former Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui got back to his winning ways at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Los Blancos won’t be able to get a win in their regular home stadium, as the Santiago Bernabeu is undergoing renovations. But they’ll have home-field advantage at the Valdebebas on Sunday.

Here are five players who will need to shine for Real Madrid in order for the club to secure a post-stoppage victory against Eibar, whom they defeated 4-0 in November.

Real Madrid CM Fede Valverde

One of the most important players on the team, Fede Valverde has been a standout in 2019-2020 as one of European football’s biggest breakout stars. Valverde has all the tools to be one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the game, if he isn’t at that level already.

The Uruguayan’s running and ball recoveries will be crucial against a hard-working Eibar side, which will look to outwork and press Real relentlessly in search of a season-defining upset. Valverde has the technical quality and athleticism to cause Eibar all sorts of problems and counterbalance their tactical approach.

Valverde is a prime candidate to pick up Man of the Match honors, and Eibar will have to be careful not to give him space outside the box for a shot again either.