Real Madrid vs. Shakhtar Donetsk: 5 players who can start with Rodrygo Goes, Gareth Bale injured

RW Lucas Vazquez

Next, we move to Lucas Vazquez, who has done a serviceable job lately at the right back position. The Galician wide man is the preferred emergency option to Dani Carvajal, but after getting some rest, the prolific right back should be in the XI on Wednesday evening at the Santiago Bernabeu.

If so, that opens up Vazquez to get a start at the right wing position. While he is not a standout attacking player, Vazquez can help out defensively and combine well with Carvajal. Remember how good those two were together in the first Derbi of the 2020-2021 season?

So far this season, the 30-year-old has made just one start on the right wing. His most attacking role was in the first Champions League fixture against Inter, but he had an even bigger role in the attack against Shakhtar last time out with two key passes, two fouls drawn, and a dribble completed, per WhoScored.com. And really, that’s all he needs to do. Work hard, create some chances, and fight to win free kicks for David Alaba, Toni Kroos, and Co.

Vazquez can put in a sharp cross and do plenty of recovering. He is a safer option than Marco Asensio and a couple of the other ideas. Because at least with Vazquez, you know you are getting effort and some positive influence. His goal against Barcelona, which proved decisive in three points at the Camp Nou, exemplified that.