5 Real Madrid players with a point to prove against Alcoyano
4. ANTONIO BLANCO
Carlo Ancelotti has used a few combinations in midfield in terms of substitutions. The most used are Eduardo Camavinga coming in for Luka Modric and a close second is Fede Valverde coming in for Toni Kroos. However, Real Madrid’s workhorse, Carlos Casemiro hasn’t had a lot of chances to relax in between games with another youngster stepping up and providing him with some quality backup.
That is the exact role Antonio Blanco would be fighting for against Alcoyano. Blanco should be given his start in this game. The Academy product was stone cold in his shifts to close off 2020-21 but hasn’t had the same role yet in 2021-22. He only has two substitute appearances under his belt this season, one each in LaLiga and the Champions League, per WhoScored.
In fact, he did well in his half-hour cameo in the 6-1 thrashing of Mallorca at the Bernabeu. The young man has first-team potential and this match could be a great opportunity to show the Italian manager that he is capable of being a quality bench player for Real’s first team.
3. JESUS VALLEJO
Similar to Antonio Blanco, Jesus Vallejo has also been pretty unused this season. But unlike Blanco, I haven’t seen much of him yet which makes it very difficult to comment on the Spaniard’s situation. However, from his rare shifts in the Spanish National team, I can easily say that he isn’t what Real Madrid needs. In fact, Castilla player Rafa Marin is a more exciting prospect for the future.
Jesus Vallejo’s job in this match would be different. He needs to pull off a good shift in central defense and these rare opportunities can be career-defining for the Spanish International. It is for sure that his future isn’t here with Los Blancos. But, the sort of club that would offer him a contract would depend upon how well Vallejo auditions himself in these rare appearances.
That is the exact reason why I think Vallejo would be given a start in this game. If he cannot step up the gas, Rafa Marin would be my immediate replacement. However, Vallejo certainly has a point to prove and this would be his chance to shape his future and help his transfer value to bring Real Madrid a decent fee.