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Real Madrid have been extremely disappointing this season. They are out of the Copa del Rey and their chances to win the Champions League and the domestic league also look very slim. They are currently nine points behind the table leaders FC Barcelona in LaLiga. Even though it looks like they will qualify for the quarter-finals, they are far from being the favourites in the UEFA Champions League.
Even in this horrendous season, there have been some positives for Los Blancos. Two weeks ago, the team was active in the Copa del Rey and was only six points behind FC Barcelona in the league. It was looking like Solari had finally fixed the issues with the squad. But after the defeats against Girona and Barcelona, Real Madrid are in a really tough spot and may even go trophyless this season.
Here is the list of five players who have given their best for the team despite this poor season:
5. Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Jr. has given the Bernabeu someone to cheer for. The fans absolutely love him. Every time he gets the ball, the fans get excited. The 18-year-old has taken advantage of the poor form of the team's forwards. The young Brazilian winger has limitless potential and can become a future Real Madrid star.
Vinicius isn't scared of taking on defenders. He has the most successful dribbles in the squad despite getting comparatively less playtime. He always has an eye for goal and is still very unselfish. He has built nice chemistry with striker Karim Benzema. His decision-making skills in the final third have drastically improved since the beginning of the season. He has also matured a lot as a player.
He is now a definite starter of Solari's Madrid and is one of the first names on the teamsheet. He has proved his worth and even managed to bench world class players like Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio. He can single-handedly do everything in the attack except for scoring goals. Finishing is definitely an aspect of the game he should work on.
4. Sergio Reguilon
The academy graduate Sergio Reguilon has managed to impress everyone with his high work rate and mature decision-making. He is a very good potential replacement for the club legend Marcelo. He is now also a preferred starter over the experienced fullback Marcelo.
Sergio Reguilon is one of the brightest prospects Real Madrid's academy has produced in the recent past. The young Spaniard has now established himself as a starter in Real Madrid's squad. He has taken advantage of Marcelo's poor form and shown us what he can do. He has also formed a nice partnership with the left winger Vinicius Jr.
He has all the qualities a world class fullback should have. He is solid at the back and innovative in the attack. He is also a very good crosser of the ball. He is quick and can cover both the halves of the pitch.
3. Toni Kroos
The German midfield maestro has been one of the most consistent players of Real Madrid this season. He is one of the few players who have retained their form from the previous seasons. Despite the inconsistent season of his partner-in-crime Luka Modric, he has delivered good perfomances on a weekly basis. He was also one of the few good players during Lopetegui's reign.
He has inspired the team to victory multiple times this season. He has been wonderful in the Champions League. He has been doing what he does the best. The problem with Real Madrid has not been of chance creation, but of finishing. He has continued to create chances for the players and has also been defensively solid.
Toni Kroos has been one of the most underrated midfielders in Europe this season. His passing ability is second to none. Even in these tough times for Real Madrid, Kroos has made sure that their midfield functions properly.
2. Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema has silenced his critics this season. He can boast of 11 league and 4 Champions League goals this season. When Ronaldo left, fans expected Gareth Bale to be in charge of goal scoring. But it has been Karim Benzema who has been the best in front of the goal and is having one of the best seasons of his career yet. He would surely be one of the highest goal scorers in Europe if he had been taking penalties for the team.
As the striker himself explained in a recent interview, he has now become a lethal goal scorer as he no more has to help Cristiano Ronaldo. He has become more of a number 9 than he was before. Fans are loving the selfish Benzema. Even when Madrid's attack has been so poor throughout the season, Benzema has been consistent and has maintained his position in the starting eleven.
1. Carlos Casemiro
Casemiro has not only retained his form from the previous season but he has also improved his overall game. He has been a more complete defensive midfielder this season.
He has been very comfortable with the ball and has also contributed a lot towards creating chances for the forwards. He has also shown his passion for the badge and scored multiple times on crucial moments. He has earned himself a nickname of 'invisible man' as he comes out of nowhere to stop the opposition's attack.
Despite suffering from an injury in November of last year, the Brazilian has delivered consistent performances. It was looking like Marcos Llorente was going to give him a tough time for the position in starting eleven, but now Casemiro is the undisputed starter because of his wonderful performances. He has also tackled Messi in the recent El Clasico and was arguably the best player on the pitch.
