Real Madrid need to get off to a strong start in the Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday night, because the first leg is at the Santiago Bernabeu and the Merengues could still be without Fede Valverde, in addition to a suspended Jude Bellingham and an injured Dani Ceballos.
Without this trio of midfield standouts, Real Madrid were decimated by Real Betis 2-1 this weekend, placing the onus on the Merengues to bounce back after their Champions League opponents, crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid, got the job done with a 1-0 win against a tougher opponent in Athletic Club.
Ahead of the first leg, here are three Real Madrid stars who need to step up their performances against the Rojiblancos.
LW Vinicius Junior
Real Madrid tend to go as Vinicius Junior does, and the reigning best player of the 2023/24 Champions League season is the most apt to step it up when it matters most.
But Vinicius has been left wanting in some games this season. Although he's having a solid season overall with 9 goals and 5 assists, the Brazilian international hasn't been as consistent or as game-breaking in his follow-up season from just barely missing out on the Ballon d'Or. If Vinicius Jr. wants to win that most coveted award, he's going to have to dominate even the toughest of defenses, like Atleti's, becuase that's what past serial winners like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were able to do.
Vinicius is going up against a tough Atletico defense that has the guile and physicality to frustrate the 24-year-old left winger. In the past, we've seen Vini Jr. come up big in the derbies, and he was pretty good in the last one, a 1-1 draw. But "pretty good" wasn't good enuogh for Real Madrid to get the full three points, and in the Champions League, it's time for Vini Jr. to be truly transcendent once more.
DM Aurelien Tchouameni
How this game goes for Real Madrid could be just as much in Aurelien Tchouameni's hands on Tuesday night, especially with so many absences projected for Carlo Ancelotti's men. Tchouameni has been under even more pressure than Vinicius Jr. this season, bouncing back from some putrid performances at both center back and defensive midfield, only to lay an egg this weekend at Real Betis.
One of the most disappointing players on the pitch in the 2-1 defeat, Tchouameni ceded almost total control of the midfield to the likes of Isco and Johnny Cardoso as the Verdiblancos ran circles around the 80 million euro man, making him look like a caricature cutout of Thomas Delaney comparatively.
Tchouameni can't replicate that performance at the base of the Madrid midfield when they take on Atleti on Tuesday, otherwise the Royal Whites need not even bother stepping out of the buses. Because if you don't have a grasp of the midfield, you are in for a world of hurt against a Diego Simeone-coached side, especially once they kick into gear and kill you on transitions.
CB Antonio Rudiger
Arguably the most mercurial starter on Real Madrid, Antonio Rudiger can go from Champions League knockout stage hero to a guy bumbling around the pitch against a mid-table LaLiga side, gifting goals like the back of his jersey said "Eibar".
Listen, Rudiger is a very good footballer who plays with a lot of heart, but he is so easy for smart attackers to manipulate because he plays the game with only one gear: ruthless aggression. As much as that aggression is an asset to Real Madrid, it can be turned against them when savvy veterans like Antoine Griezmann pull him out of position from the penalty area and burn him to a crisp with passes over the top.
Rudiger has to stay disciplined, and unlike against Real Betis, he has to contribute to the build-up phases and protect his teammates with more measured and more progressive passes that lead the midfielders into better situations. If he falters at the Bernabeu this week, Real Madrid could be down bad in the second leg.