Real Madrid: 5 players who must step up with Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal suspended

Real Madrid won’t have Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal available against Alaves on Friday.

It took another penalty drawn by a fullback and more massive defensive displays, especially from defensive midfielder Casemiro and young center back Eder Militao, but Real Madrid picked up their seventh straight victory since the restart against Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

However, Real lost two more key players in Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal, who are both suspended for the game against Alaves on Friday after picking up yellow cards.

Therefore, these five players must step up in their absences.

RB Lucas Vazquez

No, Lucas Vazquez isn’t a right back. He’s a right winger. But he was identified as the backup for Dani Carvajal before La Liga’s return, since Real loaned out the only other natural right back on the roster when Alvaro Odriozola moved to Bayern Munich in the winter.

Vazquez is a hard-working player who is known as one of the best defensive wingers in La Liga, and he’s played the position competently before. But he’s no Carvajal, of course. Carvajal has been immense since the restart, continuing to show why he’s still one of the best in Europe at the position. He even earned the winning penalty vs. Getafe.

All eyes will be on Vazquez to see how he fares out at right back against Alaves.