Lucas Vázquez is the twelfth man

All the signs point to Cristiano making a full recovery in time for the monumental Man City game. Karim Benzema’s thigh injury seems to be taking longer to heal though. Whatever happens between now and Wednesday, Zidane can rest easy in the knowledge that should one of the two be ruled unfit to face the Premier League outfit, he still possesses an ace up his sleeve in the form of Lucas Vázquez. The Galician wide man has earned the trust of Zizou as well as the Santiago Bernabéu.

Lucas Vázquez really caught my eye last season while at Espanyol. The Catalans played Valencia in the Copa del Rey and the 24-year-old ran rings around Gayá, who Real Madrid were keeping tabs on at the time as a possible defensive reinforcement. Rafa Benítez, who deserves recognition for the few things he got right, brought the academy graduate back home. Since rejoining the club, Vázquez has become the ultimate twelfth man for los blancos. He showed his worth last week at the Etihad, and if he’s called upon again on Wednesday, he won’t be fazed by the occasion. Lucas is top quality.