Three reserves who must start for Real Madrid

Real Madrid are already 16 points behind Barcelona and they proved during Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo that some of the starters must be benched as they aren’t performing well enough to have a guaranteed spot in the starting lineup game after game. Here are three reserves who deserve to play more often.

1. Theo Hernandez. The young defender has not been brilliant when he’s been given the chance to play but Marcelo’s lack of effort during Sunday’s game is simply inexcusable. The Brazilian defender turned the ball over in the 82nd minute and complained to the referee instead of working his way back to the play to help his teammates. As a defender, that’s something you just can’t do. Los Blancos spent €25 million for Theo and while there will be growing pains if he plays, Marcelo must sit on the bench for the time being.
2. Marco Asensio. He should possibly replace Cristiano Ronaldo in the lineup, although it’s clear that this won’t happen any time soon. Coach Zinedine Zidane left the Portuguese attacker on the pitch even though he was completing a mediocre performance, so Ronaldo will remain a starter no matter whether he struggles or not. All things considered, Asensio deserves a chance and with Bale’s brace Isco should be the one losing his spot. Zidane wasn’t fair to the Spanish midfielder when he decided to play El Clasico without him and Isco won’t be happy if he gets relegated to a bench role once again, but Zidane has to do something.
3. Mateo Kovacic. Toni Kroos as been poor this season and he is not useful if the team can’t control the possession of the ball like it happened during the second half against Celta. His assist to Gareth Bale for Madrid’s second goal was brilliant but he’s not being as consistent as he should and is not helping Los Blancos at dominating games.