Real Madrid: 5 burning questions after close win over Real Sociedad

3. Is Dani Carvajal even more important to Real Madrid?

There is no doubt that Real Madrid have several players on the team who are vital to success. Sergio Ramos is the captain and a player who can do literally anything, Karim Benzema is the top goal-scorer and the best chance-creating striker in the world, Casemiro is the best defensive midfielder in the game and has no direct backup, and Thibaut Courtois is a matchwinner in goal.

But right now, with no backup right back in the team and no real way of disguising any backup there schematically, Dani Carvajal is in the argument as Madrid’s most important player.

Vinicius Junior stole the show, and Casemiro and Raphael Varane were also strong defensively. But Carvajal was also among the top performers for Real Madrid against Real Sociedad, putting together another fine performance in La Liga’s return.

Carvajal’s backups, with Alvaro Odriozola still at Bayern Munich, are right winger Lucas Vazquez and either left back Ferland Mendy or center back Eder Militao. If Real’s defense is stretched thin by more injuries, Carvajal’s placement becomes even more crucial.

The Spanish right back adds to the attack and defends hard, doing everything at the position to the highest level. He is still in the conversation as the world’s best right back, and his solid display against Sociedad is a reminder that he is a glue player in this squad.