Real Madrid: 5 key players to watch against Espanyol

Real Madrid will face Espanyol in their next La Liga match on Sunday night.

In their four games since returning to La Liga, Real Madrid have shown that they are the favorites to win the league. They have not dropped points yet and moved back into first place after defeating Real Sociedad last weekend.

This Sunday, Real will travel to the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona to take on Espanyol, who have been the worst team in the league thus far. However, Los Blancos won’t be taking any opponent for granted with the mentality that every match carries the weight of a final.

Here are five key players to watch on Sunday night.

CM Toni Kroos

Center midfielder Toni Kroos has been one of Real’s top players since the league’s return, and he scored within five minutes of Real’s first match against Eibar. It was a wonderful goal, too, showing how few players in the world can match Kroos’ technical quality.

According to WhoScored.com, the German star has recorded three tackles and an interception in every game he’s started this season. He came off the bench against Mallorca in Wednesday’s win, but he will be back in the starting lineup on Sunday and ready to have another masterful performance as a passer and presser in the center of the park.

Kroos’ defensive intensity and ability to maintain possession will be key against Espanyol, especially with Marc Roca on the opposing side.