Will Raphael Varane return for Real Madrid against Getafe?

Real Madrid emerged from their stretch of three straight big matches unscathed despite not having some very important players available. Not only were Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal injured for all these games (along with Eden Hazard), but Real were also missing Raphael Varane, who tested positive for COVID-19 before the first leg against Liverpool.

Madridistas are wondering when the world-class center back, who could be in his final year with the club, will return to the lineup. Los Blancos will face Getafe this Sunday night at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez in La Liga.

According to Jose Luis Sanchez of El Chiringuito, Raphael Varane will not play against Getafe. He will be undergoing a PCR test, but regardless, because of the protocol, the French central defender cannot return.

Normally, not having Varane – and especially not having Ramos at the same time – would be a huge blow for Los Merengues.

Thanks to Nacho and Militao, Real Madrid can cope without Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos

But with Eder Militao and Nacho Fernandez playing so well, Real Madrid should not have any issues defending against a Getafe side that has struggled with scoring goals. Not even the acquisition of Takefusa Kubo on loan has helped them.

Zidane used a back three several times this year, including in the 2-0 win over Getafe a couple of months ago. But in the last three matches without Varane and Ramos, he’s made use of a back four.

Now that Lucas Vazquez is injured, it looks like Militao and Nacho will man the middle with Alvaro Odriozola getting another big opportunity to turn his fortunes around at the right back position.

So to reiterate, no Varane. But hopefully, he will be fully healthy, cleared, ready to play, and with no after-effects of the virus during the mid-week fixture against Cadiz. Real will be looking for revenge then, given they shockingly lost to Cadiz early this season. But that was a different time and seemingly even a different team.