What is Real Madrid’s optimal starting XI for 2019-2020?
Real Madrid’s new players are here, but the starting eleven hasn’t changed drastically from previous years. Let’s explore the possibilities for this season.
A new season is underway for Real Madrid, and there are new faces in the squad. While some significant players left La Castellana, others have arrived at Chamartín. After a disheartening season, fans expected new players to make up for a lost year. The new players are here, but the starting eleven may feel similar to the previous seasons. After three games in La Liga, this may be the optimal eleven for this season:
Courtois
Carvajal – Varane – Ramos – Marcelo
Modric – Casemiro – Kroos
Bale – Benzema – Hazard
Zinedine Zidane tried different formations during the pre-season, but the team didn’t seem to respond. An example was the friendly game against Roma where a 3-5-2 was used to accommodate Eden Hazard. However, Roma had endless opportunities to have scored at least two more goals.
Therefore, Zidane has retracted to a 4-3-3 to allow Hazard to perform on that left flank of the attack and compensate on the defensive end. Nonetheless, there will be possibilities for a 4-4-2 or even a 4-2-3-1. Zidane has depth on his squad, and this was necessary for this new season.
Based on that, it will allow Zidane to plan a season where most players should get minutes between Copa del Rey, La Liga, and Champions League. Counting that every player is healthy, Zidane should line up the eleven players mentioned above. Yet there will be some positions that will be rotated more than others, so it’s important to analyze them.
Defense
For example, Marcelo and Ferland Mendy, This was clear against Villarreal. Mendy displayed strength, confidence, and solvency in defense. For the Champions League, Marcelo will be starting due to his experience and attacking spirit. For La Liga and the Copa del Rey, there could be a lot more of Mendy.
Another defensive acquisition was Éder Militão. The Brazilian center back showcased his talents with Porto FC last season which situated him in the orbit of many European teams. Madrid brought him to refresh its defense. A well-needed player for the center back position to cover Sergio Ramos and Raphaël Varane.
Midfield
The midfield was probably the zone that needed the most help this pre-season, yet the big wish from Zidane wasn’t granted. This has left Casemiro being the only defensive midfielder with Fede Valverde the closest alternative for the role. The other two players are Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
Modric started the season with a red card in Vigo, and he came in the second half to control the tempos of the game against Villarreal. Zidane will carefully manage Modric’s minutes this season, and this will open opportunities for other midfielders such as Lucas Vázquez and James Rodríguez
Contrarily, Toni Kroos has started the season extremely active. He scored a beauty against Celta in the opening game and had a double-chance against Villarreal. Kroos has acquired more freedom to attack, so this could open the door for attacking players when needed. When resting is needed for Kroos, then Isco, Brahim Díaz, and Valverde could be viable options to substitute the World Champ.
Next. Predicting Real Madrid's 2019-2020 goals and assists. dark
Forwards
The top three will the most difficult as there are so many choices available for Zidane. Gareth Bale could be seen as the one most likely to be substituted, yet the Welshman has started the season as never before.
He has demonstrated eagerness, passion, and desire to make this season his best. He, along with Karim Benzema, has scored two goals in three games. Hazard hasn’t started in La Liga due to an injury, yet he could start this weekend against Levante. For these three spots, six players are fighting for a spot (excluding Marco Asensio due to injury.)
Hazard – Benzema – Bale
Vinicius – Jovic – Brahim
Rodrygo – Mariano – Vázquez
The players above are not in a particular order, yet it’s rather a visual form of the endless possibilities Zidane has to structure the team in the attacking end. Fans should think of this season and the following one as transitions rather than revolutions. Change is inevitable; it will happen slowly but surely.