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

CF Karim Benzema

Real Madrid center forward Karim Benzema didn’t score a decisive goal against Getafe, but he was the one who pulled off the magical assist to lift Los Blancos over Espanyol in the previous game at the RCDE Stadium.

There have been several times this season where Benzema came up with the winning goal or assist in a tough road environment. He rescued a point at the Mestalla in December against Valencia and had the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Sevilla in September at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

In many ways, San Mames is an even more difficult venue, especially now with the added motivation of European football for Athletic Club. Benzema will need to take on even more responsibility creatively without Hazard, and that’s something Real Madrid struggled with vs. Getafe.

RW Rodrygo Goes

Finally, Rodrygo Goes is another player to keep an eye on, as he could get the start across from Vinicius Junior against Athletic Club. The diamond formation didn’t really work vs. Getafe, with Isco getting completely taken out of the match, which forced Karim Benzema to track back too often to support Real creatively. They can’t fall into that trap against another organized and great defensive team in Bilbao, especially since Real will need to score goals to win. Bilbao’s attack is much better than Getafe, and they won’t park the bus as Jose Bordalas did.

So Rodrygo could have the important task of stretching the field, which will help Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema find more space. Madridistas have been wanting to see Rodrygo take on defenders more frequently, but what will really prove decisive, if Rodrygo starts, is the young man’s passing.

For a teenager playing his first season in Spain’s top flight and at a position that isn’t his No. 1, Rodrygo’s passing from the wing is enviable both in terms of accuracy and progression. That could be a key to winning this match.