Real Madrid’s 3 best RW options vs. Cadiz amidst positive COVID-19 tests

On Sunday night, Real Madrid will face Cadiz at the Santiago Bernabeu on LaLiga’s Matchday 18. Los Blancos will be the clear favorites against a Yellow Submarine that is in the relegation fight, as they have not quite matched their success in their return season to LaLiga in 2020-2021.

However, Real are a weakened team. A handful of players will be out due to positive COVID-19 tests. Among them, all three main right wing options will be out. Marco Asensio, Gareth Bale, and Rodrygo Goes have all tested positive for COVID-19, leaving the position uncertain on Sunday.

Let’s take a look at the three best options on the right-hand side of the attack, assuming Carlo Ancelotti does not change the formation from a 4-3-3.

Lucas Vazquez

We begin with Lucas Vazquez, though the caveat here is that he may need to play at right back. Dani Carvajal, who has been injured frequently over the past year, is dealing with a possible muscular overload. If the world-class fullback cannot play, then Vazquez will start. The Galician is the main backup at the position, with Nacho Fernandez as the only other plausible option.

Since Fede Valverde will likely start on the right side of the midfield for Luka Modric, who has also tested positive for COVID-19, Vazquez is the best option on the right side of the attack. He played well in his last match at his first position for Los Blancos, working well with Vinicius Junior and the other forwards in a close win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Vazquez may be the least inspiring option for Ancelotti to choose from, but he is also the safest option. Ancelotti knows Vazquez will bring the necessary defensive work to the table, even if Cadiz do not pose much of an attacking threat on paper.