Real Madrid: 5 players who must shine against Villarreal

CB Sergio Ramos

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is still one of the top center backs in European football, as reports of his decline have proven to be premature.  Ramos has led the way for the Whites, undefeated in their nine games since La Liga’s return.

The 34-year-old has scored five goals since the restart, breaking records as a center back along the way. His passing has been as crisp as ever, and he’s coming up big in the clutch as well, noting his goal-line clearance to preserve the 2-1 lead at Los Carmenes on Monday.

Ramos has picked up 13 interceptions since the restart, meaning he’s averaging a little over 1.5 interceptions per game for Los Blancos. There’s a level of confidence a team has when a player like Ramos is in the lineup, because they know that when it is all on the line, he will make a big play.

That big play may come with a header in the box, a surging run forward, a clearance off the line, a timely interception that creates a counterattack, a precise pass from deep, a well-struck free kick, or a cool penalty kick.

On Thursday, Ramos will need to put his heart into his defensive duties against Villarreal, who are one of La Liga’s most lethal attacking sides. Gerardo Moreno and Paco Alcacer are prolific goal-scorers who can find space even against a center back duo of Raphael Varane’s and Ramos’ quality. Ramos will need to earn his La Liga title as the captain.