Why Real Madrid can be even better in 2020-2021

Real Madrid have enjoyed a relatively successful 2019-2020 campaign, but here’s why the 2020-2021 season can be an even more fruitful year for La Liga’s most prestigious club.

La Liga was in Real Madrid‘s hands after their dominant March victory over FC Barcelona in the season’s second Clasico. Los Blancos prevailed 2-0 after goals from Vinicius Junior and Mariano Diaz, shutting down a league rival for the fifth time in 2019-2020 (three clean sheets against Atletico Madrid, two vs. Barça).

While Madrid stumbled against Real Betis one game later and fell back into second place, their dominance, especially defensively, over Atletico and Barcelona in 2019-2020 are signs of big things to come in the future.

Under Zinedine Zidane in his second stint as the club’s manager, Real Madrid have found a new identity. They are playing hard-nosed defense with a resurgent Thibaut Courtois in goal, controlling the ball with a hard-working midfield, and, when everyone is healthy, playing dynamic attacking football. Look no further than what Rodrygo Goes, Karim Benzema, and Eden Hazard were accomplishing as a front three in October and November when all were at their peak.

Next season, Real Madrid will be even better. Even if all three of Martin Odegaard, Achraf Hakimi, and Sergio Reguilon don’t make their returns from loan in 2020-2021, Los Blancos should have at least one of those players. Furthermore, it’s unlikely they’ll be so unlucky with injuries. Key attackers James Rodriguez, Isco, Marco Asensio, and, of course, Hazard all missed significant chunks of time. If Gareth Bale isn’t sold and somehow remains healthy, he, too, could be a factor for one last “hurrah” with Real.

But the clearest reasons for optimism lie beyond the injury report or transfer market. No, what should make Madridistas most excited for the 2020-2021 La Liga and Champions League campaigns is the youth in the team.

Fede Valverde was a breakout star in 2019-2020 and one of the best midfielders in La Liga. He’s only going to get better. By the end of the season, Vinicius Junior was one of Real’s standout players. His game-to-game improvement is easy to track. After being slowed down mid-season, Rodrygo will be back to prove his early season success was no fluke. Luka Jovic didn’t get many chances to shine, but he showed real potential when on the pitch. And center back Eder Militao was fabulous when starting alongside Raphael Varane in central defense.

Real Madrid have young talent at every single position on the pitch. From goalkeeper to the fabled No. 9 position, Los Blancos have athletes with legitimate world-class potential. Although the club must continue to be patient with these players – and under Zidane, rest assured they will – chances are that a couple of them have breakout campaigns in 2020-2021.

A La Liga title and a deeper run in the Champions League seem like realistic expectations for Real Madrid to build even further on the improvements Zidane made in the squad from a disastrous 2018-2019 to an encouraging 2019-2020.