Real Madrid: 3 MOTM candidates against Villarreal

Real Madrid could be in trouble on Saturday against Villarreal without any healthy center backs, but they still have some key difference-makers.

This Saturday at the Estadio de la Ceramica, Real Madrid will face the second-placed team in La Liga, Villarreal. Los Blancos are just fourth in the table comparatively, so this road matchup is a massive one for Zinedine Zidane’s men.

They may be coming off the international break, but they are anything but “fresh”. Fede Valverde suffered a serious injury against Valencia in the 4-1 loss before the break and is out. Karim Benzema also suffered an injury in that match and is a doubt. Casemiro, Eder Militao, and Eden Hazard are all uncertain due to COVID-19. Dani Carvajal may not be back in time.  And now both Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos have suffered injuries during the abomination that is the international break.

So who plays at center back? Can Real Madrid win without some of their most important players?

There were already incredibly pressing questions for Zinedine Zidane’s squad to answer after that woeful loss to Valencia, but now things got that much tougher in light of all the injuries piling up.

Still, there are a few players who can provide the quality necessary for Real Madrid to grab a colossal three points at the Estadio de la Ceramica for a second time this season (they beat Levante 2-0 at the same venue).

Let’s look at three possible Man of the Match candidates for Los Blancos at Villarreal.