3 expectations from Real Madrid for the month of August

REAL MADRID STAY FREE OF INJURIES

Real Madrid are also facing an uphill battle with injuries and fitness issues, with not even a single official game having been played in the season. Toni Kroos is out for the whole of August, whereas Ferland Mendy and Dani Carvajal are facing a race against time to be fit for the opening fixture of the campaign in the Basque county against Deportivo Alaves. Coronavirus cases have also come by with Alvaro Odriozola, David Alaba and Karim Benzema all contracting the illness.

Last season, Los Merengues had a historically difficult time with injuries and if it were not for them, they would have won at least one of La Liga or Champions League – possibly both. Moreover, injuries were the exact reason why Ancelotti went trophyless in 2014/15 and saw an uncharacteristic demise on his first tenure at the Bernabeu despite winning a Champions League title in his first season in charge, and four trophies during the 2014 calendar year.

Now, Los Merengues simply cannot afford to sustain more injuries. While Gregory Dupont was replaced by Antonio Pintus- the latter being a proven solution to fitness, the blame will only be put on the club’s medical services and staff if players are found to be in trouble as often as last time.