Eder Militao at center back
Maybe this isn’t something to look forward to, since Real Madrid fans will miss captain Sergio Ramos. But it’s definitely something to watch closely, and if Eder Militao plays up the standard he has quietly set in 2019-2020, then it could indeed be something to look forward to. Beating Manchester City behind a stalwart performance from the 22-year-old center back in Ramos’ stead would be a quite a feel-good story for Madridistas.
Militao showed while playing for Raphael Varane against Athletic Bilbao at San Mames that he can rise to the occasion in big, high-pressure matches against top opposition. Manchester City have even better forwards than Inaki Williams, such as Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling, but the way Militao stopped two goal-scoring opportunities for Williams in that game is hugely encouraging.
He and Varane have showed great chemistry as a center back pairing this season, with the former FC Porto man also playing well in clean sheets against Osasuna, Getafe, and Deportivo Alaves this season.
It’s easy to forget, but Militao has experience playing in the Champions League at a high level for Porto and has learned from his mistakes against PSG in September. The whole team has. How he plays is one of the biggest storylines to watch next Friday night, no doubt.