Militao has to make a big decision before the clash against Chelsea again. Ramos will be fit but Militao’s performance is just way too impressive.
Brazilian defender shined again
Eder Militao was once again one of Real Madrid’s standout performers on Tuesday night, as Los Blancos drew 1-1 against Chelsea at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.
The 23-year-old has turned his reputation at Real Madrid around, going from a player on the fringes to one of the first names on the team sheet, and it will be interesting to see what happens when Sergio Ramos is ready to return from injury, which is expected to be imminent. Zinedine Zidane will have to decide if he wants to stick with the in-form Militao or if he will bring Ramos immediately back into the XI, particularly with regard to next Wednesday night’s second leg against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
If Ramos is not ready to make his return against Osasuna at the weekend, it seems unlikely that Zidane will name him as a starter against Chelsea a few days later. A few months ago it would have been crazy to think that Militao would be in the line-up ahead of Ramos, but now that is not the case, especially given the Brazilian’s recent performances.
Militao was brilliant against Chelsea and showed that he is not overawed by the occasion of a Champions League semi-final. It was down to him, and also Thibaut Courtois, that Real Madrid did not concede more than one away goal.
A month to remember for Militao
On March 20, Militao was on the substitutes bench away at Celta Vigo and he had made just seven appearances all season, of which two had come in the Champions League. Since then, though, he has started eight games in a row and has been one of the key players during Real Madrid’s impressive run of results. Militao has taken a step forward and has become one of Zidane’s most trusted players