Real Madrid: 3 players who must step up with Sergio Ramos out vs. Celta Vigo

Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
2 of 3
Real Madrid, Raphael Varane
Real Madrid, Raphael Varane (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)

CB Raphael Varane

I already wrote a bit about the challenge Raphael Varane faces against Celta Vigo this weekend, because he was under pressure to perform even before Madridistas learned that Sergio Ramos would not be able to play.

Varane hasn’t been poor this season, but he hasn’t been at his best either. There have been brief stretches where he’s looked like the best center back in the world again, however, he’s had just as many games where he’s given Madridistas a scare. Look no further than the 2-0 win against Granada, when Varane was nearly punished by two horrible giveaways.

He cannot make any mistakes this Saturday. Both he and Eder Militao have had great games together in La Liga, but they’ve also had disastrous outings in big matches in the Champions League. Madridistas can easily remember his mistakes against Shakhtar Donetsk and Manchester City without Ramos by his side.

Therefore, Varane has a massive point to prove on Matchday 17 when he goes up against a talented young forward in Santi Mina and two of La Liga’s most well-known forwards in Nolito and Player of the Season candidate Iago Aspas.

Varane must shine. There are no two ways about it. He has to step up this weekend, otherwise Real Madrid could be staring down more dropped points after the 1-1 draw with Elche.