Real Madrid will not have captain Sergio Ramos available on Matchday 17 against Celta Vigo.
Insert your New Year’s hangover jokes here, but Sergio Ramos being out for Real Madrid is no joking matter. The star captain will miss La Liga’s Matchday 17 against a resurgent Celta Vigo side due to a stomach illness. He was not listed in the official squad for Saturday’s match at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
Let’s look at three players who must step up for Los Blancos.
CB Eder Militao
I could see Nacho Fernandez getting the start as the left center back, because he acquitted himself well in central defense earlier this season when Sergio Ramos was unavailable. For example, he was excellent against Inter Milan.
But Eder Militao needs these matches for his development. He can be a great center back for Real Madrid one day and their future starter after Ramos retires. Militao has shown his potential at times for Los Blancos, including at San Mames last year. There are growing pains, such as the first fixture against Shakhtar Donetsk in this campaign, but, as a whole, he is promising.
Iago Aspas is a tricky opponent to face and is La Liga’s leading goal-scorer with nine goals, but Militao has the talent to win this battle.