Are Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema untouchable at Real Madrid?

Sport360 staff 12:09 15/09/2018
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  • Sergio Ramos

    We’re early into the Julen Lopetegui reign at Real Madrid but there are already signs of players who could become his ‘untouchables’ at the Bernabeu.

    Of the first four games, seven players have started all of the games. But only three of them have played every minute. Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema are Lopetegui’s untouchables so far.

    The other four players who have been used the most are Toni Kroos who has played 372 minutes (95 per cent), Gareth Bale (369 minutes, 95 per cent), Marcelo (360 minutes, 92 per cent) and Marco Asensio (315 minutes, 81 per cent).

    Real lost some depth with the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo but the new man in charge still has plenty of options.

    All-action Carvajal’s back-up has been out injured so far this season. Alvaro Odriozola, who Real signed from Real Sociedad this summer, missed the first couple of weeks of the season and with no replacement, Carvajal didn’t really have a choice other than to play all of the minutes available.

    Karim Benzema has started the season in fine form.

    Karim Benzema has started the season in fine form.

    Odriozola returns after the international break and they are set to share time but with Carvajal starting in the big games. The right-back has taken advantage of his time on the field too with a goal and an assist to start the season.

    Skipper Ramos remains the reference point at the back. It appears as though Raphael Varane and Nacho will split minutes with Jesus Vallejo in reserve.

    Benzema’s situation is perhaps the most surprising. His position in the team and at the club even were in doubt at the end of last season after a less than stellar campaign.

    Ronaldo’s exit made it even more important for the French striker to score goals if he was to remain at the club and he has answered the call with five in his last four games.

    The signing of Mariano Diaz gives him competition but he hasn’t been given any playing time yet, although that should change after the break.

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