Real Madrid: 5 burning questions after crucial win over Athletic Bilbao

Real Madrid picked up all three points at San Mames on Sunday, but four finals remain.

Los Blancos need to be perfect to close the 2019-2020 season, because they cannot think about Barcelona or their four-point lead over La Blaugrana. No, Real Madrid understand they must focus on themselves and show consistency in the last remaining finals of the campaign.

Real Madrid passed their test against Athletic Bilbao, winning 1-0 at San Mames after Sergio Ramos sunk a penalty won by Marcelo.

Here are five burning questions after the win with Alaves and three more games on the horizon.

1. Who steps up if Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane can’t play?

Raphael Varane missed Sunday’s game against Athletic Bilbao as a precaution after suffering a blow to the head against Getafe on Thursday. Eder Militao was incredible as Varane’s replacement, making two goal-saving tackles on Bilbao star forward Inaki Williams.

Sergio Ramos has been suspended after picking up another yellow card, which means he will miss Friday’s match against Alaves. Varane should be healthy by then, but Ramos’ suspension brings up a question about the depth at center back beyond Militao. And that’s a pertinent question with Nacho Fernandez still injured.

Javi Hernandez enjoyed a wonderful 2019-2020 season with Castilla, and the young center back has received an opportunity to be a regular part of the extended 23-man squad. He’d be the next man up, which would make Militao the leader of the defense.

It probably won’t come to this, but Hernandez is a name to stick to your brain.