Militao time

Without Sergio Ramos, the spotlight is on Militao. The Brazilian central defender started the season injured, after a muscle problem suffered during Madrid's only pre-season friendly against Getafe. Last Saturday, in the defeat at home against Cádiz, he enjoyed his first 45 minutes of the course and did it with a decent note: 91% of good passes (39 of 43), four duels won of seven, four losses and five recoveries. The inactivity of the Brazilian was not noticed, who contributed to a much safer Madrid than in the first half, even if it was not possible to come back or tie.

Arrived two summers ago from Porto, within a strong commitment by the white club (50 million euros), Militao's first year at Madrid had everything: little confidence at the beginning, a little more at the end and a total of almost 1,500 minutes in which he left not too memorable performances (3-0 in Paris against PSG or 1 -0 at Mallorca's home …), but also hopeful duels. One of them changed the dynamics: the visit to Athletic after confinement, in the middle of the fight for the league title. Militao was enlarged in a duel of height and returned to Zidane the confidence that months before had given him, giving him the category of third center and, therefore, placing Nacho as the fourth.

Again Militao-Varane

Before the loss of Ramos, this afternoon Militao will form the center of the defense with Varane, a repeat of the round of 16 leg of the last Champions League against City at the Etihad. That day, Militao was again solvent and it was the Frenchman who was singled out. Varane (27 years old) and Militao (22) are the future of Madrid and in afternoons like today they must prove that there is life beyond Sergio Ramos.