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After a disappointing exit from the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, Real Madrid will turn their attention to LaLiga Santander as a crucial fixture against Sevilla awaits them in the capital.
The game could have massive implications for the thrilling title race in LaLiga as a win for Los Blancos could propel them to the top of the table after the draw between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. Meanwhile, should Sevilla win at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, it could possibly end the defending champions' hopes of retaining their Spanish crown.
The visitors, currently occupying fourth place in the table with 70 points, have been in sublime form over the course of the 2020/21 campaign. Former Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetugui has turned Los Nervionenses into a well-oiled machine since his arrival last season.
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Sevilla were on an incredible five-game win streak in LaLiga, including a victory against Atletico Madrid, until a shock defeat to Athletic Club last week brought it to an end.
Real Madrid's 17-game unbeaten run across all competitions came to an abrupt end with a 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge. To make matters worse, Los Blancos' injury tally has gone up once again, with their entire first-choice defence of Ferland Mendy, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, and Dani Carvajal ruled out for the game against Sevilla.
The two sides played out a cagey fixture last time around at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, where the hosts lost by a scoreline of 1-0 after a rather unfortunate own-goal from Yassine Bounou.
Ahead of Sevilla's visit to face an injury-ravaged Real Madrid, here is a look at five players to keep an eye out for.
#5 Thibaut Courtois | Real Madrid
Despite Real Madrid's injury struggles in defence, Thibaut Courtois has simply been phenomenal in LaLiga Santander this season and has bailed his side out on numerous occasions. The towering Belgian has arguably been the best goalkeeper in Spain and one of the best in world football in 2020/21.
Courtois boasts of the best save percentage in the top five European leagues (82.2%), and he's conceded just 24 goals in his 34 games so far, keeping 16 clean sheets in LaLiga. Sevilla will need something special to get past the 28-year-old, who heads into this fixture with five clean sheets in his last six LaLiga games.
#4 Youssef En-Nesyri | Sevilla
Sevilla star Yousef En-Nesyri will undoubtedly be the visitors' biggest attacking threat against Real Madrid on Sunday. The Moroccan has been in a remarkable vein of form for Lopetegui's side, having scored 17 goals so far in the league, a figure bettered by only four players in LaLiga this season including the likes of Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema.
En-Nesyri is a nuisance for any defence to deal with, particularly in the air, as he contests for 7.3 aerial duels per game and has already scored five headed goals in LaLiga. With both Ramos and Varane unavailable, Real Madrid's second-string defence will have to be at their best to keep En-Nesyri quiet. All of the 23-year-old's league goals have come from within the box, highlighting his predatory instincts and dangerous movement.
Also read: 5 Players with most nutmegs in Europe this season (2020/21)
#3 Eder Militao | Real Madrid
Eder Militao has taken the best part of two seasons to settle into life at Real Madrid and had barely managed to feature for Zidane's side. However, the Brazilian has begun to show why Real Madrid dropped a massive €50m to bring him from FC Porto. Whether out of necessity or by choice, Zidane's trusted him in some of their biggest games in recent months and he's repaid his faith in him.
Barring the loss at Stamford Bridge, Militao has been a rock at the back for Real Madrid, even against some of the best sides in the world such as Barcelona, Liverpool, and Chelsea. He's come to his side's rescue in the absence of their go-to defensive partnership of Varane and Ramos and has done an excellent job so far. Another crucial test awaits the young Brazilian at the Alfredo Di Stefano.
#2 Jules Kounde | Sevilla
Over the last couple of years, very few players in Europe have enjoyed a rise as remarkable as Jules Kounde's. The young Frenchman has established himself as one of the most impressive young centre-backs in the world since moving to Sevilla and was vital in their UEFA Europa League win last season, keeping some of Europe's most impressive attackers at bay.
The 22-year-old has formed an excellent partnership with Diego Carlos at the heart of Sevilla's defence and has rarely put a foot wrong for Lopetegui's side. On Saturday, Kounde will lock horns with one of LaLiga's most in-form players in Karim Benzema, who will surely prove to be a huge test for Kounde.
If reports are to be believed, it could also be an audition for his potential employers in the future.
#1 Karim Benzema | Real Madrid
After firing Real Madrid to LaLiga glory in 2019/20, Karim Benzema has enjoyed another fabulous campaign for Real Madrid this year and has arguably been their most important player. The French superstar is Los Blancos' highest goalscorer this season with 28 goals across all competitions, four times more than the next-highest scorer, Casemiro (seven).
With four games to go in LaLiga and their talismanic leader Sergio Ramos potentially out for the campaign, all eyes will be on Benzema and a lot will depend on whether the veteran can deliver for Zidane's side.
The 33-year-old has already delivered on numerous occasions for Real Madrid this season and it remains to be seen if he can do so once again to propel his side to LaLiga glory.
Also read: 5 Transfers that dramatically changed the fortunes of a club
