Real Madrid: 5 key players to watch against Getafe

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Toni Kroos of Real Madrid (Photo by Diego Souto/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

CM Toni Kroos

Real Madrid holding midfielder Toni Kroos has been tremendous since the restart, immediately making his mark on the matches with a wondergoal against Eibar. Kroos is having an underrated season and is in the discussion as the best overall midfielder in European football after Manchester City’s assist-machine Kevin de Bruyne.

The German can change the complexion of a game with a set piece, and set pieces will be key for Real Madrid against a tough team like Getafe, just as they were when Raphael Varane ruled the day earlier this year. Kroos hasn’t assisted yet since the restart, but he did have two key passes last match at Espanyol, per WhoScored.com.

RB Dani Carvajal

Like Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal is a world-class, experienced Champions League-winning starter with a tough matchup ahead of him. The only true Real Madrid right back in the squad, Carvajal has been hard at work all season long, but especially in the crowded La Liga schedule after football’s return.

Carvajal will be going head-to-head with Getafe’s star player Marc Cucurella, as the former Barcelona prospect impressed in their first matchup. On Thursday night, Carvajal will need to be smart defensively and find ways to attack against a tough left side of Getafe’s formation.

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