Real Madrid Roundtable: Looking Ahead to the 2020-2021 Season

What’s next for Real Madrid in the 2020-2021 season?

Real Madrid recently ended their 2019/2020 La Liga season as they were crowned champions but because of delays due to the pandemic, they are already back in training and working towards defending their title in the 2020/2021 campaign.

With optimism from the fans and slight worry due to the lack of transfer activity, we look at how the writers at The Real Champs feel about the upcoming season and what the expectations are ahead of what will definitely be another exciting year.

1. What are your predictions for the upcoming season in regards to La Liga?

Parshva Shah:

I think Real Madrid will win the league for the second year running. Our quality was way better than other teams, especially Barcelona. With Lionel Messi (and many others) set to leave, Barcelona will be undergoing a complete revamp, a massive transition. Ronald Koeman may or may not revive the ship, but Real Madrid will clinch the title this time too. The bunch seems motivated and Zidane knows how to keep their morales mountain-high. A Por La 35!!!

Kevin Parvizi:

I think Real Madrid are going to win La Liga by even more points than last season. Yes, they sold players and made no signings, but the squad chemistry will be even better. Plus, Martin Odegaard technically counts as a new signing, and he’s better than anyone another La Liga club has added this summer.

Nithanth Ravindran:

Real Madrid wins La Liga but it won’t be a walkover as most fans are making it out to be. While FC Barcelona is in turmoil, they are still the team that won the most leagues last decade. They are still a team built to win the league and I don’t expect their off-field problems to hamper them too much in the league. Add Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, and Villarreal who are all looking very good and you have a league season that looks certain to be difficult.

Prasanna Baidya:

I believe Zidane can take this team to their second straight La Liga title. With their closest rivals Barcelona having all sorts of troubles on and off the pitch, it is imperative that Real Madrid take advantage and be on their A-game throughout the season.

Lehar Thimmaiah:

With Zidane at the helm, and knowing he takes the league very seriously, I expect the Blancos to win their 35th Spanish title this season.

Ruturaj Dhang:

Real Madrid will win it’s 35th La Liga trophy this season.

AJ Desai:

I expect it to be different due to the transfer rumors that involve him and Barcelona. Without Messi, it would certainly give Real Madrid a break in competition for them and Atletico Madrid to fight for the league again.

Ali Al Hassan:

It will be difficult, there is no denying that. However, our team is definitely good enough to win the league but we cannot forget that there are certain teams who have gotten stronger throughout the summer namely Sevilla and Villarreal. It will be hard but we can win it and I expect us to do so.

2. Which competition do you think should be Zinedine Zidane’s priority?

Parshva Shah:

Zidane would ideally go for another La Liga, but I guess we have enough firepower to win the La Liga. So Zizou will revert to the competition Real Madrid call their own – UEFA Champions League. The current squad is not at the level of Bayern Munich, but I have a feeling we will return to the offensive giants that Real Madrid are always known for. Last season was a different scenario.

This season, we got a fully-fit attack and a mature young core in the form of Jovic, Asensio, Vinícius Júnior, and Rodrygo. Add Ødegaard in the mix and there’s every reason to believe we can be contenders for the Champions League as well. I am sure Zidane will want to bury the ghosts of the last two seasons. Real Madrid have set a big standard in Europe, and just like La Liga, Zidane will want to take Real Madrid to European ascendancy yet again.

Kevin Parvizi:

Zinedine Zidane should prioritize La Liga. Realistically, Real Madrid are not as good as PSG and Bayern. The Champions League knockout stages could come down to luck, especially if it moves to a single-leg format. If they do well in that competition, excellent. But Real control their own destiny in La Liga. Focus on that.

Nithanth Ravindran:

La Liga and Copa del Rey. The Champions League is still out of the question for this team. There’s still some rebuilding to do and that means this team isn’t ready to win the CL yet. The domestic double should be our priority this season. We also haven’t won the CDR since 2014. Time to change that.

Prasanna Baidya:

La Liga. While the Champions League has always been the favorite for the Royal Whites, this is the right time to focus on domestic success. This Real Madrid squad is not at the level of competing with the likes of Bayern and Liverpool from what we have seen this past season. The addition of Odegaard will help, but we still lack a lot in the goal-scoring department. So the best will be to gear up for success in La Liga and go as far as possible in the UCL.

Lehar Thimmaiah:

Although winning ‘big ears’ again is every fan’s dream, Zidane should focus on winning the league again. Zidane himself has stated that the challenge of maintaining consistency over a league season is more difficult than winning the Champions League. You win the Champions League with quality, but winning the league takes both quality and consistency.

Ruturaj Dhang:

Every manager dreams of winning treble and I’m sure Zidane is thinking of winning treble looking at Barcelona’s bad situation.

AJ Desai:

Champions League and La Liga. Both are equally important. However, Real Madrid has not won it in two years and have suffered Round of 16 exits to Ajax and Manchester City. There will need to be a different approach to win the Champions League for Real Madrid.

Ali Al Hassan:

It’s difficult really. If we look back on the previous season, we can’t deny that it took a good amount of luck for us to win the league and it took remarkable consistency from when we returned after the break. Therefore, I think the league should still be our priority this season with the aim to be a lot more consistent throughout the whole campaign. Anything else should be fought for and taken as a bonus.

3. Who do you think will be Real Madrid’s standout player for the upcoming season?

Parshva Shah:

Martin Ødegaard, no doubts about that. To see him train gave me a very optimistic feeling. He’s returning after five years, but seeing him in the training kit felt like he never left. The Bernabéu is his home and Real Madrid is his club. I am sure Zidane is going to take us all by surprise by thrusting Ødegaard into the limelight. He will be the key man in midfield, and I’m sure his contribution will go a long way in solving the prevalent goalscoring issues. This is going to be his season.

Kevin Parvizi:

I’m going to go with a bold pick and say Marco Asensio. His scoring efficiency when he returned from injury was outrageous, so imagine what he can do in the full 2020-2021 season after a proper offseason. Asensio will establish himself as a world-class player for Real Madrid this season.

Nithanth Ravindran:

Eden Hazard. He said it himself, he’ll be judged by his second season at Real Madrid and that we’ll see his Chelsea version this season. I fully expect him to keep his word and be the player we all know him to be.

Prasanna Baidya:

Rodrygo. The kid looks focused and has worked hard on his physique. Zidane showed that he trusts the Brazillian in big matches as well. Hopefully, he will play with more freedom and less pressure that will allow him to unleash his potential. If he gets regular game time, he will score 15 plus goals this season.

Lehar Thimmaiah:

For me, I think it’ll be Fede Valverde. Dynamic and relentless. Has all the qualities to go from very good to world class this season.

Ruturaj Dhang:

Eden Hazard will get his Chelsea form back and Martin Ødegaard will shine in white.

AJ Desai:

Marco Asensio. He scored within two minutes after being out a year. Asensio is the fire power we have missed that propelled us to win the league.

Ali Al Hassan:

I’m going to place my money on Martin Ødegaard. He has finally returned to the club after being loaned out consistently and he will know that he has a lot to prove now. The pressure is on and all eyes will be on him as he’s also possibly going to be our only ‘signing’ this season in addition to Andriy Lunin.

4. What do you believe will be our strongest XI?

Parshva Shah:

I’ll go with a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1. If it’s a 4-3-3, this would be my line-up: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Ødegaard, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Benzema, Hazard. If it is a 4-2-3-1, this would be my line-up: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Valverde, Asensio, Ødegaard, Hazard; Benzema.

I am choosing Marcelo over Mendy because I am sure we will see the best of him yet again. He might have entered his decline, but I have a feeling he can take his starting spot back from Mendy.

Kevin Parvizi:

Thibaut Courtois in goal. Ferland Mendy and Dani Carvajal on the flanks. Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos at center back. Casemiro, Fede Valverde, and Toni Kroos in midfield. A front three of Rodrygo Goes, Karim Benzema, and Marco Asensio. Just trust me on Rodrygo…

Nithanth Ravindran:

Courtois, Mendy, Ramos, Varane, Carvajal. Casemiro, Kroos, Ødegaard, Vinicius, Benzema, Hazard.

Prasanna Baidya:

GK: Thibaut Courtois
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Ferland Mendy
Midfielders: Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Martin Odegaard
Forwards: Rodrygo, Karim Benzema, Eden Hazard

Lehar Thimmaiah:

Courtois

Carvajal – Varane – Ramos – Mendy

Fede – Casemiro – Kroos

Asensio – Benzema – Hazard

Ruturaj Dhang:

Thibaut Courtios, Mendy, Ramos, Varane, Carvajal, Kroos, Casemiro, Valverde, Hazard, Benzema and Asensio.

AJ Desai:

Courtios, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy, Casemiro, Kroos, Fede, Hazard, Benzema, and Asensio.

Ali Al Hassan:

Thibaut Courtois
Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Ferland Mendy
Carlos Casemiro, Martin Ødegaard, Toni Kroos
Marco Asensio, Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema

5. What are your thoughts on the transfer market so far for Real Madrid?

Parshva Shah:

I am actually pretty okay with the activity as far as incoming transfers are concerned. Ideally, we have four new signings in the form of Jovic, Hazard, Asensio, and obviously, Ødegaard. We have a pretty balanced team on paper so I don’t think we needed reinforcements as such. Talking about the sales, I wanted Óscar to be given a shot with the first team. He’s very underrated and he could actually save us from spending money on a future central midfielder. I’m happy that we got loan deals done for Ceballos, Brahim, and Mariano. James is on his way to Everton. So overall, a good transfer window considering the pandemic.

Kevin Parvizi:

I think Real Madrid have done a great job of resisting temptation, though losing out on Marc Roca to Atletico Madrid would hurt. The James sale is key, but I’m most excited about the loans. Brahim, Reinier, and Takefusa Kubo could have tremendous 2020-2021 seasons at their new destinations. I’d say the only issue is the lack of a Gareth Bale sale, but there’s nothing Real Madrid can do about that.

Nithanth Ravindran:

If we manage to sell James, Bale, and Mariano this window it will be a 10/10. With Ødegaard returning, our midfield issues should be sorted for a season as long as Zidane has a backup plan in case Casemiro gets injured.

Prasanna Baidya:

It is not as bad as it could have been. We are missing a signing or two, but recalling Odegaard is a smart decision. The board has also been able to cash in on a few players who would never see the light of day in the first team. However, selling Achraf Hakimi for only 40 million without a buyback clause was a poor decision, in my opinion. Now, let us hope we can at least get Gareth Bale off the books.

Lehar Thimmaiah:

A little bit concerned about the midfield depth. Other than that, if Luka Jovic, Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio hit good form, we’ve nothing to worry about. Zidane trusts them to do the work and I’ll stick by my manager. It’s a choice from the club not spending and not because of financial troubles. This summer is more focused on clearing the hefty wage bill in the squad. I think this is just saving for a massive summer in 2021.

Ruturaj Dhang:

Real Madrid is going good for not going for any big signing this season but I think we need a CDM backup.

AJ Desai:

Given the pandemic, we have not seen as many transfers we would all love see. Brahim Diaz went to AC Milan, which is pretty exciting given how AC Milan finished strong last season. James Rodriguez is off to Everton to be reunited with Carlo Ancelotti. Dani Ceballos’ loan with Arsenal has been extended for a year. Odegaard is back with Real Madrid this season. Kubo will be playing for Villarreal. Hakimi is with Inter now after a superior season with Borussia Dortmund. Lastly, Reinier is on loan with Borussia Dortmund. Definitely, a lot of activity within the club.

Ali Al Hassan:

I keep finding myself going back to thinking about how our transfer window would have been without the pandemic. However, this is the reality, and considering that, it’s great to see what the team is doing. We finally have been able to see Brahim Diaz get loaned out while many other players are loaned out to gain some great experiences at very well-chosen clubs. The decision to sell Achraf Hakimi worries me but it’s understandable James Rodriguez will be leaving at any moment. As much as it pains me to say it, letting Gareth Bale go will make this transfer window perfect considering the situation we are under.

6. Predict the La Liga Top 5

Parshva Shah:

My top five would be Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Sevilla, Villarreal, and Barcelona in that order.

Kevin Parvizi:

Barcelona should finish second behind Real Madrid with Sevilla and Atletico in third and fourth. I’ll go with Villarreal in fifth place. They look like a stacked team, especially after picking up Kubo on loan.

Nithanth Ravindran:

Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Villarreal, Sevilla.

Prasanna Baidya:

Real Madrid
Sevilla
Barcelona
Atletico Madrid
Villarreal

Lehar Thimmaiah:

Real Madrid
Sevilla
Barcelona
Atletico Madrid
Villarreal

Ruturaj Dhang:

Real Madrid
Sevilla
Barcelona
Atletico Madrid
Villarreal

AJ Desai:

Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid
Barcelona
Villarreal
Sevilla

Ali Al Hassan:

Real Madrid
Sevilla
Barcelona
Atletico Madrid
Villarreal