Real Madrid: 5 players who must shine against Valencia

LB Ferland Mendy

Ferland Mendy didn’t start against Eibar, as Real Madrid decided to roll with Marcelo in order to get the veteran left back’s feet wet in the season’s return. Marcelo scored and acquitted himself well, but Mendy did enter the game in the second half as a surprising right back substitution due to Dani Carvajal’s injury.

Carvajal’s status for Thursday’s game is questionable, but he should play. Mendy’s status is entrenched, as he will be crucial for a Real Madrid win. Los Blancos need him to shut down Ferran Torres, who is a Real transfer target and was a menace – and goal-scorer – in the season’s earlier fixture at the Mestalla.

CM Toni Kroos

Against Valencia in the Spanish Supercup semifinals, Toni Kroos scored a wonderful Olympic goal from a corner. On Sunday vs. Eibar, Kroos scored an even more outstanding goal from open play to start the scoring for Los Blancos.

Kroos is one of the team’s most important players as both a metronomic passer and a source of creativity with his long-range passing. There isn’t a play Kroos can’t make, and his scoring potential should also threaten Valencia, stretching the field in the final third to the benefit of Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema.