Real Madrid: Ranking Los Blancos’ top five performers from September

Real Madrid was having a flying start to their season which continued into September after the brief International break. However, their high-flying form was cut down and brought to the ground with two back-to-back disappointing games towards the end of the month. First, it was a 0-0 draw against Villarreal in LaLiga and then a 1-2 defeat at hands of the Moldovan side, FC Sheriff Tiraspol in the Champions League. Both of them took place at the home ground, Santiago Bernabeu.

Don Carlo may have to reassess his plans for the season and make some changes for the team to react in the best way posssible when they face Espanyol away from home in the first game of October. Madridistas hope this disappointing patch doesn’t worsen and Real Madrid go back to normal against the Catalan side. September thus remained a mixed month with fair shares of shocks, both positive and otherwise. Here are the top five performers of the month.

David Alaba and Eder Militao, Real Madrid (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

5. CB Eder Militao / David Alaba

It’s a tie for the number five between the two central defenders for Real Madrid, David Alaba and Eder Militao, who are settling into becoming the club’s mainstay for at least until the next transfer window. It has been a hard transition for both these players especially when they are asked to play a high line and defend, knowing that yards of green grass just sit behind them and there can be a counter at any given moment.

The central defensive partnership between these two has been to a certain extent, symbiotic. While Eder Militao’s game is stronger in the air, David Alaba does a better job withholding opponents and clearing any danger. Alaba’s game while playing out from the back is exceptional where he relies a lot on long balls. Militao, on the other hand, has a better closing-in speed that helps while breaking up counters.

The defense has been a hit-or-miss so far for Los Blancos but they have secured two clean sheets in the month and that should be a step in the right direction. Both Alaba and Militao have maintained an above seven match rating in all of their appearances throughout the month, per SofaScore. And, keeping in mind that these two have been regulars in the starting line-up, they deserve to land a spot on this list. There hasn’t been a brighter spot in defense other than them.