Real Madrid: 3 players who must step up vs. Getafe with Eden Hazard out

Eden Hazard won’t be in the lineup for Real Madrid against Getafe.

Real Madrid will defend the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Thursday night against Getafe, who currently sit in sixth place in La Liga and are five points away from a UEFA Champions League qualification spot.

Getafe have played hard-nosed, organized, and defensive football under Jose Bordalas, who is one of Europe’s most highly-regarded managers. Despite losing to Real 3-0 earlier this year, they gave Los Blancos all the could handle.

Superstar player Eden Hazard isn’t in the squad as a precautionary measure after being fouled frequently, so here are three players who must step up for Real in the Belgian’s absence.

CAM Isco

We actually saw Eden Hazard play as a center attacking midfielder against Mallorca so that both he and Vinicius Junior could be on the pitch at the same time. Vinicius scored a brilliant chip and nearly scored another great chipped goal, and while Hazard was clean, he didn’t have a huge game.

Isco could start as an attacking midfielder against Getafe on Thursday, and he’s played quite well in 2020 for Real despite not being in the lineup much recently since Hazard’s return. The Spanish international was solid against Getafe in their earlier meeting this season, but if he starts, he’ll need to make more of an impact in terms of key passes and creative output in the final third.