Real Madrid: 3 keys to victory against Alaves on LaLiga’s Matchday 1

2.  Make up for Toni Kroos’s absence

Yes, this probably would be a constant key for Real Madrid to follow until Toni Kroos, the general of Real’s midfield recovers from his groin injury. The expected time-out is of six weeks but nothing can be said with total assurance about such prolonged issues. Toni Kroos’s absence means an extended chance to Fede Valverde and possibly even Martin Odegaard in the second half.

I am not picking a single individual to put up that extra shift because the season is yet to start and judging from the friendlies where the appearances of the players in question were very limited wouldn’t be the best thing to do. Luka Modric, however, would be expected to absorb a little more pressure and help the young guns get along.

Odegaard’s future at the club is again in question and getting more minutes on the pitch and for that matter quality minutes, can have an impact on his decision. He possesses the talents to play for a big club we saw glimpses against Rangers in the preseason. The move that ended with the Rodrygo-Golazo was indeed started by the Norwegian.

As far as Valverde is concerned there can never be any doubt about his commitment to the club. He is always seen pumping that extra bit of energy when required and in my opinion, he would have a key role in covering for Kroos in the opening matches. The bottom line is that Real Madrid needs to secure play in the middle of the park for most of the time, the better midfield snatches the game away.