Real Madrid: 5 players who must step up with Raphael Varane, Eden Hazard out at Bilbao

Real Madrid won’t have Raphael Varane and Eden Hazard available at Athletic Club.

Sunday’s early kickoff at San Mames will test Real Madrid in more ways than one. Although they have not dropped points in their last six games since La Liga’s return and have a four-point lead over FC Barcelona, they cannot take anything for granted. They’ve also barely won their last two games, both 1-0 slugfests against Espanyol and Getafe.

Athletic Bilbao will be even more formidable opponents, and Real Madrid drew with them 0-0 in December. Real won’t have star players Eden Hazard and Raphael Varane in the lineup as precautions, and Bilbao are desperate to win to qualify for the Europa League next year.

Here are five players who must step up for Los Blancos with Varane and Hazard out.

CB Eder Militao

Eder Militao is the top backup center back for Real Madrid, and he’s taken on greater importance with Nacho Fernandez still injured. Militao has played well in his first season with the club, but not all fans are convinced about his quality. Yet others believe he has the tools to be a world-class center back and Sergio Ramos’ successor.

Athletic Bilbao are a tough team and give Militao an opportunity to show that he can start and excel against high-quality opposition in an important game. Perhaps nobody has a more important task ahead of them than Militao on Sunday. Here’s to hoping he delivers as Raphael Varane’s replacement in the starting lineup next to the in-form Ramos.