'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Real Madrid have been on the ropes for the majority of this season. After a lackluster start, all eyes were on the Los Blancos as they took on Viktoria Plzen in their third UEFA Champions League fixture. Though they emerged victorious, their performance left a lot to be desired.
Julen Lopetegui hasn’t enjoyed the best of starts to his Real Madrid career. After having been installed as Zinedine Zidane’s successor, the Spaniard has had to make do with a substandard transfer window and numerous below-par performances.
However, their victory on Tuesday night brought some much-needed respite to the beleaguered Spaniard as he looks to embark on an escapade to extinguish his early season horrors.
Despite a sluggish win, the Los Blancos still need some of their players to stand up and take the game by the scruff of the neck. A failure to do this would result in a mediocre season, something which wouldn’t go down well with the Real Madrid hierarchy.
Through this article, we would look at 3 such players who have the quality to get Real Madrid’s season back on track and set them on their search for an unprecedented 4th successive European crown.
3. Karim Benzema
The Frenchman has been at the centre of the criticism aimed at Real Madrid in recent weeks. Through their barren spell, Benzema couldn’t muster shots on target let alone bulge the net.
However, on Tuesday, the Frenchman looked re-energised and was at his best. His movement was impeccable and he got on the scoresheet as well. Benzema’s game doesn’t only revolve around goals. He is as unselfish a centre-forward as any and helps create space for his strike partners.
These attributes make him a joy to play with and have contributed majorly to him being an assured starter at the Bernabeu. Over the years, he has been of such importance to the team that they struggle when he isn’t on song.
Real Madrid have found goals hard to come by over the weeks and Benzema has been rightly criticised. However, if they are to mount an assault on the Champions League and LaLiga, Benzema remains their most prudent attacking option.
If Tuesday’s encounter is any indicator, Benzema seems to be on an upward curve. As for the Madrid faithful, they would hope this curve reaches a crescendo come to the business end of the season.
2. Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos has looked jaded this season and has been uncharacteristically sloppy. Thus, it came as no surprise that Real Madrid suffered and failed to control games as they would’ve liked.
However, against Viktoria Plzen, he put in his best performance of the season. The German dictated the tempo of the game and was tidy on the ball. His best moment came when he slipped in Gareth Bale, only for the referee to rule it out for offside.
On paper, Real Madrid possess one of the best midfielders across Europe. But after a tiring World Cup, Modric and Casemiro have been a pale shadow of themselves. Their exhaustion coupled with Kroos’ sloppiness has led to a rough patch for the club.
The sooner Real Madrid can establish control in midfield, the quicker they’ll be able to get on to the front foot. Hence, Kroos’ role is paramount. With the El Clasico on the horizon, a virtuoso performance by the German sniper would go a long way in Real Madrid earning the bragging rights over their eternal rivals.
If there is any player who can turn the Bernabeu outfit’s season around, it is the metronomic Kroos. However, only time will tell if the German can actually be Real Madrid’s talisman this season.
1. Isco
After an extended period on the side-line, Isco returned to action for the Los Blancos. Though he wasn’t at his best against Plzen, the sheer sight of him taking the field would have excited the Bernabeu.
Over the past few seasons, Isco has established himself as an integral component of the Real Madrid machine. Thus, it wasn’t surprising that their slump coincided with Isco’s time away from the game. Additionally, Isco is a firm favourite of Lopetegui and is essential to the latter’s philosophy.
So far, Madrid have lacked a cutting edge in the final third. While the likes of Mariano Diaz, Vinicius and Vazquez are able replacements, none of them possess the technical and creative prowess of Isco.
With Lopetegui under the pump, Isco’s return to fitness couldn’t have come at a better time. If Isco can remain fit, he could be the harbinger of the attractive brand of football that Lopetegui professes to play.
If Real Madrid are to repeat their heroics from last season, Isco would have to shoulder the lion’s share of the responsibility. The Spaniard has displayed the ability before but if he can sustain it for a whole season is anyone’s guess right now.
