Real Madrid: 5 players who must shine vs. Celta Vigo

CB Sergio Ramos

Since Celta Vigo are one of five teams in La Liga with more than 20 goals scored this season, it only makes sense for us to focus heavily on the defense in this head-to-head matchup. Sergio Ramos is also vital to Real Madrid picking up all three points on Saturday at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.

A Ramos vs. Iago Aspas battle will be a treat and one of the small highlights of the weekend for neutral observers of Spanish football. They are two veterans of the league who bring plenty of skill, wit, and technical quality to the fore.

For Ramos, the key will be staying calm defensively and leading the charge. Since Vigo love pouncing on mistakes, it is up to Ramos to direct his teammates as the leader and ensure nobody is out of line – least of all himself, which was the case when Athletic Bilbao nearly got back into the game a couple of weeks ago.

Offensively, Ramos may be called upon, too. Last season, Ramos was second on the team in goals scored, but he has found the back of the net “just” twice in La Liga this season. For most center backs, two goals is a season’s haul, but for the greatest goal-scoring center back of our generation, ranking fifth on the team in goals is not ideal. Ramos wants more, and you wouldn’t put it past him to play the goal-scoring hero against Aspas’ Vigo this weekend.