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

RW Gareth Bale

Whoever plays as the right winger will have to work hard defensively and get on the same wavelength as Lucas Vazquez in the attack. Vazquez will put in a shift on defense, but he will naturally need more cover from the man in front of him than Carvajal.

But there’s an opportunity for the right winger against Alaves to score some goals in a partnership with the attack-minded Vazquez. By the looks of it, Gareth Bale could get a rare starting chance, considering Rodrygo Goes and Marco Asensio both started against Athletic Bilbao.

Bale hasn’t started since Mallorca, but he looked OK and even won two tackles, per WhoScored.com. Don’t be surprised if he starts.

LB Ferland Mendy

After Marcelo started and won the winning penalty against Athletic Bilbao to redeem himself after early defensive struggles vs. Inaki Williams, expect to see Ferland Mendy back in the starting spot on Friday.

Mendy is the best defensive left back in Europe and will be needed against Alaves to deal with the threat of Aleix Vidal’s pace. He may also have to shift over whenever the center backs are providing cover for Vazquez, keeping a watchful eye on any crossfield passes to the former Barcelona man.