3 Real Madrid players who must step up if Casemiro, Alaba can’t play vs. Manchester City

Real Madrid are possibly going to be without two of their most important players – David Alaba and Casemiro – for the clash against Manchester City. They are included in the squad list, but it is unlikely that they actually play, unless they show massive improvement in their physical state in the next two days.

Be that as it may, Real Madrid would have to prepare for the clash either way, and there are a few players in the team that will have to step up their game so that the loss of Alaba and Casemiro is not felt as much These players will have to come up big time if there is any chance of Real Madrid winning this game.

Let’s get started.

Nacho Fernandez

This was kind of obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning. Nacho Fernandez had a period of continued excellence when he had to start the big games for Real Madrid last season, when both Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane picked up injuries. Nacho and Militao were excellent, and if there is any time where Nacho needs to reignite that form, it’s now.

Nacho, simply put, hasn’t been as good as he usually is this season. He makes really weird gambles and leaves wide gaps in the defense, and that, sometimes, is what makes Real Madrid’s defense fall apart. There is a huge reason why Real need a third choice centre-back, and it is that Nacho simply cannot be anything greater than fourth choice from next season. It’s pretty clear.

He can be very reliable, of course. But as of late, he’s been a bit more clumsy than usual, which is why we need a huge game from the Spaniard. Just enough so that Alaba’s absence isn’t felt. Nacho needs to execute a perfect game, because this is, by far, the toughest match for Real Madrid so far this season.