Preview: Sporting Gijon vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid

Real Madrid kick off their 2015-16 Liga campaign with a visit to newly-promoted Sporting Gijon on Sunday as last season's runners-up eye a winning start.

It also the first chance for new Real coach Rafael Benitez to gauge the strength of his squad ahead of what promises to be another close-fought battle with Barcelona for domestic supremacy.

Sporting Gijon

Sporting Gijon

This time last year, Sporting Gijon were preparing for another season in Spain's second tier as they struggled to return among the country's elite since their relegation in 2011-12.

Fast forward 12 months and the Rojiblancos are preparing to rub shoulders with the big boys once more - and they don't come much bigger than Real Madrid.

"Out of 100 matches against Madrid we would win one, hopefully that will be tomorrow".

They are not quite 100/1 outsiders, but Sporting coach Abelardo is certainly not oblivious to the idea that victory on Sunday would represent a major shock.

In reality, the hosts are 11/1 to kick off their campaign with a surprise win and, under the circumstances, Abelardo's pessimism is perhaps justified.

Lacking the budget to make many waves in the transfer market, Abelardo has been forced to boost his squad with loan signings, with Alen Halilovic the latest new recruit after joining temporarily from Barcelona on Friday.

Antonio Sanabria and Omar Mascarell have also joined in loan deals - the latter of whom joined from Real - but it is difficult to envisage their squad being strong enough to test Benitez's side this weekend.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid

History tells us that Real Madrid do not stay down for long, and Benitez is charged with the task of lifting them once more as they look to redeem themselves following a trophyless season under axed Carlo Ancelotti last term.

For Madrid, the only thing worse than winning nothing is watching on as bitter Clasico rivals Barcelona scoop the lot.

The Catalans took their Champions League title, their Copa del Rey, and pipped them to the Liga by just two points in a treble-winning season that will have had Madristas green with envy. It is Benitez's job to get it all back - and the road to redemption starts at El Molinon.

In June, eyebrows were raised when the Spaniard replaced Ancelotti - who led the Blancos to their 10th European Cup crown just 12 months previous - but a strong start to his tenure on Sunday would see the doubters pipe down. For now.

It is a long season, and the resounding win envisioned for them this weekend will not vindicate president Florentino Perez for hiring Benitez - but it would be a start.

Team News

Karim Benzema and Fabio Coentrao both sat out training on Friday to plunge their participation on Sunday into doubt - their only two injuries.

Benitez must decide whether to start with goalkeeper Keylor Navas or Kiko Casilla, with the latter joining from Espanyol earlier this summer.

Signed from Inter Milan this week, midfielder Mateo Kovacic could also earn his debut as he replaces Sami Khedira in the squad.

Meanwhile, Abelardo has no injury concerns ahead of meeting Real.

Miguel Angel Guerrero finished as the Rojiblancos' top goalscorer in Segunda B last term and is expected to spearhead the attack this Sunday.

Sporting Gijon possible starting lineup:
Pichu; L Hernandez, Espinosa, Ramos, Lopez; Alvarez, Cases, Carmona, Halilovic; Guerrero, Castro

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kovacic, Modric, James; Isco, Bale, Ronaldo

Head To Head

Ominously, Sporting have only beaten Real once in 19 years - a shock 1-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2011. Sunday's visitors have won 10 of the last 12 meetings, with five of those coming at El Molinon. The hosts' last home victory came way back in 1994.

source: sportsmole.co.uk

Last Result at El Molinón: Sporting Gijon 0 - 3 Real Madrid

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5 reasons Real Madrid will be stronger than last season

Jese - Bale

Across the country in Barcelona, their great rivals clinched a historic treble. At home in the Spanish capital, they were consistently overcome by their neighbours, Atletico Madrid. In two league meetings, they were blunted by Valencia. And in Europe, their campaign was brought to a halt by Juventus. 

For Real Madrid, a season that started so promisingly was derailed by an archenemy, fellow heavyweights and a re-emerging Spanish power in the east.

Consequently, change has come to the Bernabeu this summer, Rafa Benitez replacing Carlo Ancelotti as manager as Real Madrid look to reverse their fortunes.

But how optimistic can the club be as it seeks to bring down a rampant Barcelona? Are there reasons to believe Los Blancos can be stronger this season than they were last?

Across the following slides, we try to find five such reasons.

Enhanced Squad Depth

Lucas Vazquez

A major issue for Real Madrid at the back end of last season was the absence of a capable and healthy supporting cast to complement the team's major stars.

Both Sami Khedira and Fabio Coentrao battled with injury, Lucas Silva didn't make the grade, Alvaro Arbeloa was ineffective and Asier Illarramendi, Javier Hernandez and Jese didn't appear to hold the trust of Carlo Ancelotti.

As a result, Real Madrid had few options to turn to as injuries and fatigue hit, their season grinding to a halt after January.

Now, however, the situation looks different. Denis Cheryshev has been recalled from Villarreal, Lucas Vazquez has been bought back from Espanyol, Casemiro has returned from Porto, Danilo will back up Daniel Carvajal (or vice versa) at right-back and Jese looks set for a more prominent role under the new manager.

Naturally, Benitez will have his hands full juggling playing time, and positional battles such as the one between Danilo and Carvajal will cause a few headaches. But overall, Madrid's supporting cast looks significantly stronger, giving a manager renowned for his love of rotation countless options when configuring his XI. 

Improved Balance in Midfield

Casemiro

It was a problem first exploited by Real Sociedad last August and never truly rectified: Real Madrid's midfield in 2014-15 lacked strength, power and grit. Balance, essentially.

Though Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, James Rodriguez and Isco gave Ancelotti perhaps the most gifted and attacking midfield ensemble in Europe, it was a recipe that was all too precarious, the margins too fine. The midfield needed a proper anchor, not just a converted one.

This season, though, Benitez is likely to address that lack of balance.

In the manager's 4-2-3-1, Kroos in particular should benefit from operating as one half of a holding duo rather than covering those duties on his own. Additionally, Benitez will likely turn to the defensive talents of Casemiro (and maybe Asier Illarramendi) in games against heavyweight opposition that will require a greater two-way commitment in midfield.

Casemiro is exactly what Real Madrid need: a gritty, physical ball-winner prepared to get his hands dirty and set a platform for those ahead of him.

Stability Within the Squad This Summer

Sergio Ramos

You have to remember the concept of relativity here.

So far this summer, Real Madrid have discarded club icon Iker Casillas, signed a goalkeeper they might not need in Kiko Casilla, addressed a problem that didn't really exist with the purchase of Danilo, recalled Casemiro, whose non-EU status means the recently signed Lucas Silva has to go, and they have been engulfed in long-running sagas involving Sergio Ramos and David De Gea.

And yet, for Real Madrid, that constitutes a pretty quiet summer. Remarkable, huh?

The thing is, though, this time around the club hasn't dismantled its core, instead retaining its spine and key personnel while making more peripheral adjustments.

There have been no Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso-style exits—no arrivals demanding full-scale overhauls of the XI.

As such, Real Madrid head into a new campaign with a calming (relative) sense of familiarity within the squad.

Gareth Bale Is Past the Dreaded 2nd Season

Gareth Bale

The second-season syndrome is a thing, isn't it? A real disease, yeah? It just has to be. After all, there's a Wikipedia page for it. Steve Bruce says it exists too, and Steve Bruce has always felt like the kind of guy who'd sit you down in a pub corner and tell you all the world's truths.

Anyway, what other than the second-season syndrome can explain Gareth Bale's journey from barnstorming Brit aboard and cup-final hero to bombarded Brit abroad and ponytailed target for whistles?

He was fitter last season than he was during his first. More accustomed to Spain. More comfortable with his new club. And skills don't just disappear. So what was it?

Some will say it was the haircut, but it must have been the curse of the second season, mustn't it?

The good news: He's past that now.

A Team with a Point to Prove Is Always a Dangerous Team

Real Madrid

On December 20 last year, Real Madrid lifted the Club World Cup to claim their fourth title in 12 months and cap off a blistering, record-breaking stretch.

But what followed? Loss, loss, loss.

Admittedly, one was a friendly against AC Milan (and injuries took a toll), but you get the picture: After scaling the mountain, after taking all before them, Real Madrid seemed to exhale at that moment, losing their edge, losing their momentum, their hunger perhaps temporarily satisfied.

Frankly, it all unravelled from there.

It's why defending titles is so difficult: The physical and mental cost of triumph is immense, and at the end of it, the chasing pack want it more.

Now, though, Real Madrid are part of that chasing pack.

Indeed, with Barcelona snatching everything away—the UEFA Super Cup most recently—Los Blancos now have much to prove. They're the hunters, not the hunted.

Teams in such a situation are always dangerous.

source: bleacherreport.com

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Real Madrid 2015-2016 Preview: Attackers

Real Madrid BBC

Since 2009, when Florentino Pérez recovered his position as president and bought Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, Real Madrid’s most remarkable feature has been its extraordinary firepower. Not for nothing, Los Blancos have been able to score more than a hundred league goals every season since the 2009-10. Last year, however, Carlo Ancelotti developed a game plan in which the midfielders took a more prominent role, and his men managed to play their most attractive football in years, at least in my opinion, but in the end their lack of accuracy in concrete games costed them the trophies.

Rafa Benítez’s biggest efforts in the preseason have been focused in building a robust team that will concede very few goals, and he seems to be succeeding so far. Nevertheless, he should not trust that simply the talent of his attackers will suffice to get the number of goals that a team needs to become champion. Offensive transitions and counterattacks will not be a problem, but some schemes of positional attack will need to be devised in the early months of the competition.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo

The current Ballon D’Or holder is, without a shred of doubt, Real Madrid’s best player. It’s been many years now since the pundits started to claim that he would lose his pace and he would not be able to make a difference playing in the wing and, while it is true that he is not as brilliant as he was in the 2010-11 or 2011-12 seasons, he is still a lethal threat. Having a player with an average of 1.04 goals per game in your roster (who reached an unbelievable 1.13 goals/game last season) is an extraordinary advantage in the long run, which Los Blancos will for sure make profit of.

Taking into account how the preseason has been so far, we must expect Ronaldo to play in his favorite position, as a left winger in a 4-2-3-1 but with freedom to move along the frontline to unbalance the rivals’ defensive system. However, it should not be a surprise to see him playing as a pure striker sometimes when Los Blancos adopt a more defensive stance. This would reduce his direct impact on the game, but would help Real Madrid to create strong superiorities in the midfield, as barely no coach in the world would take the risk of using just one of his centerbacks to mark CR7.

Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale

The Cardiffian had a very convincing first season in Real Madrid, which he culminated with his goals in both finals Real Madrid won, but his output last season did not fulfill the expectations posed on him. The mantra in most of the mainstream media is that the right wing does not suit him and he should be playing on the left, but the truth is that he has managed to play extraordinary games for Los Blancos on the right (see, for example, the brutal 1-6 victory against Schalke 04 in the 2013-14 Champions League), so it can’t just be a matter of positioning.

Still, Rafa Benítez believes that some tactical changes could help Bale show his best football, which is why he has given him the spot of the mediapunta in the 4-2-3-1, where he shone in his last season with Tottenham. There, his long shot will be an extraordinary asset like in the right, and it will be harder to corner him against the wing to force him to play with his weak foot. However, it will be hard for him to exploit his speed in the centre, which will encourage him to escape through the left. If he and Ronaldo manage to cooperate and not obstruct each other, Los Blancos will be virtually unstoppable.

Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema

Playing as a #9 in a team that has Ronaldo and Bale in its lineup is extremely difficult and Benzema is, probably, the man which is best suited for such a task. His wise reading of the game and his ability to drop to the midfield or the wings to open lines for his partners are extraordinary features to unleash the potential of his partners. Besides, and contrary to what most of his critics claim, he is a good finisher who averages a more than decent 0.48 goals per game since he joined Real Madrid (for the sake of completeness, let’s just recall that Raúl averaged 0.44 goals per game throughout his career in Real Madrid), but it is true that, sometimes, his love for the assist makes Real Madrid miss easy occasions that a killer would, for sure, convert.

As it has been published lately, Rafa Benítez wants a pure striker to join the team in order to give Karim some rest in certain moments of the season, but also to put some pressure on him. His virtue will not suffice this season, and he will need to work a lot pressing upfront as Real Madrid’s first defender.

James Rodriguez

James Rodriguez

When Real Madrid dropped €80 million on Rodriguez last summer, many questioned the move? Was he just a one-hit wonder? Did his time at his previous clubs warrant such a move? How will he fit in? James took all those questions and emphatically answered them with an incredible 17 goals and 16 assists across all competitions. What makes these numbers even more staggering is that he missed 13 games due to injury. Had he not, it's not unreasonable to assume that he would've topped the 20/20 mark which is just absurd for someone in his first season with a new team.

So what to expect from James this season? Well, probably more of the the same. Much discussion has been had over Gareth Bale playing as a 10 of sorts behind the striker but with the fluid nature of Rafa's attack in the preseason we can also expect James there as well. He'll likely also get more time out wide where he'll have a chance to beat his man 1-on-1 while using his incredible crossing skills to feed Ronaldo and Bale in the box. It will be interesting to see how much defensive responsibility gets placed on him depending on where he is as the wide players have definitely been asked to do more in the preseason but make no mistake, his primary job will be as the distributor in the final third alongside Luka Modric, two men whose absence was severely felt when Real Madrid couldn't break down low blocks last season.

Jesé Rodríguez

Jesé Rodríguez

The greatest talent that has come out of La Fábrica in the last few years seems to be fully recovered from his injury and has had a very convincing preseason, playing both as a winger or as a pure striker, which makes pretty clear that he will be the first option to replace each of the members of the BBC trio. Benítez’s rotation policy will give him enough opportunities to shine and prove that he can become a world-class player in the near future.

After having seen him in Castilla, many people thought of Jesé as a prospect of a Cristiano Ronaldo type player, but he might be turning into a different thing now. It is clear that he is not as fast as Ronaldo was and he is not a dribbler either, but he is terribly strong and his accuracy in front of the goal is extraordinary (possibly, the best in Real Madrid’s roster). It may seem weird to postulate him as a unique #9 due to his aerial weakness, but that should not be a problem given how easily Ronaldo or Bale occupy the box when it is needed, and this is where we are likely to see him feature a lot throughout the season.

Lucas Vázquez & Denis Cheryshev

Lucas Vázquez & Denis Cheryshev

The couple of canteranos have come back to Madrid after brilliant performances in Villarreal and Espanyol last season. Both of them are pacey wingers that do not hesitate to work a lot in the pressure and that have sufficient individual talent to be decent bench players in Real Madrid, but we should not expect either of them to be decisive in important games. Still, they will be great assets for Benítez to rotate his most important players to make him reach April and May in a good physical condition.

source: managingmadrid.com

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Real Madrid 2015/2016 Preview: Midfielders

Kroos - Modric

In 2013-2014, Real Madrid had what many considered to be the world's best midfield. Xabi Alonso, despite his age, was still a strong defensive anchor while Angel Di Maria and Luka Modric were the most potent 1-2 box-to-box punch in the business. In 2014-2015, the style of play shifted but the quality was still unmatched as Toni Kroos provided a sense of unparalleled control while James Rodriguez showed that he was more than just a one-hit wonder. However, injuries took their toll and questions about the lack of a traditional destroyer arose. With the acquisition of Casemiro, is the steel that so many wanted finally back to Madrid? 

The pass master: Toni Kroos 

Toni Kroos

Goals: 2

Assists: 7

Key passes: 2

Pass accuracy: 92.2 percent

Tackles: 2.6

Interceptions: .9

2014-2015 wasn't a breakout year for Kroos as many already viewed him as a world class player, but it was a year in which he was asked to do something new and, for the most part, he did it quite well. Carlo Ancelotti took a risk in attempting to turn Kroos into an Alonso-type, perhaps not in the defensive machine Alonso was in his prime but rather as a deep pass master looking to dictate play from the back. Kroos, to his credit, was a passing metronome no matter how tired he was and, despite his unfamiliarity to the role, gave it his best to serve as a defensive anchor. His lack of pace did him no favors and there were times when his positioning caused him to be torched by attackers, but his tenacity never waned and his ability to cover Madrid's venturing fullbacks grew as the season went along. 

The dynamic wizard: Luka Modric 

Luka Modric

Goals: 1

Assists: 3

Key passes: 1.2

Pass accuracy: 91.6 percent

Tackles: 1.3

Interceptions: 1.4

Pound for pound, there likely isn't a better all-around midfielder in the world than little Luka Modric. Capable of serving as a 10 or as a deeper B2B winning the ball back deep before launching the attack, Modric is the engine which makes this team run. He's not just an excellent ball-carrier, his penetrative passes and cuts into the defense simply cannot be matched by anyone on the team, and when this team boasts talents such as James Rodriguez and Isco Alarcon that's saying something.

Unfortunately for everyone, Modric's 2014-2015 season was cut short as he missed 32 games and the team suffered greatly for it. From placing a massive amount of pressure on Kroos to control the game while defending the back line, to robbing the team of the one player unfazed by tight, disciplined defenses, Modric's absence was felt immediately. When he was healthy though, he was on another level from everyone else. Ronaldo gets the bulk of the credit for his absurd goal haul but it's Modric putting his imprint on every facet of the game.

It's not uncommon to see the little Croatian among the back line fighting on the ball only to see him in the final third seconds later slicing through the defense. What will be interesting to see is who'll serve as his backup given that no one on the team is quite like him. Kroos was overplayed last season but at least now Illarramendi might serve as his replacement given the latter's passing skills, but Modric might now take the mantle of most minutes played given his unique skillset. That being said, he's possibly the player most in need of protection until the big moments in order to keep his as fresh as possible for crunch time, so look for the spotlight to shine bright on Benitez' management of his minutes. 

The bulldozer: Casemiro

Casemiro

Goals: 4

Assists: --

Key passes: --

Pass accuracy: --

Tackles: --

Interceptions: --

(Liga Sagres stats are very difficult to find. Apologies.)

For two summers Real Madrid fans have been begging for a big-name defensive midfielder to come in and shore up the center. From non-DMs like Paul Pogba and Marco Verratti, to destroyers like Grzegorz Krychowiak, the fanbase has been restless for an assertive force to come in and wreck s*** up. Though it wasn't a big name buy, the club did concede its position of buying nothing but attacking midfielder by bringing back Casemiro after a strong loan at Porto.

Casemiro is the type of midfielder who doesn't shy away from contact. Unlike someone like Illarramendi who prefers to use his positioning nous to break up attacks, Casemiro will use his physical nature to body up the opposition in order to defend his back four. This is a double edged sword. While he's more than capable of winning the ball back, having your midfielders rack up big tackle numbers means they were beat in the first place and are taking a big risk in trying to win the ball back in that manner. Casemiro, for all his boundless energy and willingness to put in a hard shift, is someone who is much more reactive than proactive. Additionally, once he wins the ball back he's someone who needs to hand the ball off to a more technically-skilled teammate as his passing and ball-carrying is nothing to write home about.

He's not the polished final product the way Nemanja Matic or Sergio Busquets is, but he's definitely on the team to serve a purpose. From being a late-game defensive closer, to a starter versus average sides, this club finally has someone athletic enough to put in the dirty work needed to give Kroos and Modric license to venture forward in the attacks. Just keep your fingers closed that he doesn't pick up one yellow card after another. 

The enigma: Asier Illarramendi 

Asier Illarramendi

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Key passes: .2

Pass accuracy: 91.4 percent

Tackles: 1.2

Interceptions: 1.4

What to make of Illaramendi at this point? At his best, he's a tenacious controller of the game with a strong sense of defensive positioning. At his worst, he's easily overrun by the opposition and has a minimal, if any, impact on the game. Many thought his days were numbered at Madrid but here he is, days away from making the opening roster. Last season he served as a late-game closer but with Casemiro's more aggressive and eye-catching style of play, it's safe to say that Illarramendi is the second choice when it comes to a defensive option off the bench.

Illarramendi has the best defensive positioning of the bunch. He's safe venturing forward and doesn't leave himself as vulnerable as someone like Kroos, plus he's a decent tackler to boot having won 2/3 of his attempts. His offensive performances, however, were middling due to being played out of his preferred role. Perhaps he should've adapted to this challenge, but perhaps Benitez will opt to field him deeper where he's more comfortable shielding the back line.

Despite his shortcomings, he can still serve as a decent option versus midtable and lower sides but he'll likely need someone like Modric next to him to run the offense from the back. 

The wildcard: Isco Alarcon 

Isco Alarcon

Goals: 5

Assists: 9

Key passes: 1.6

Pass accuracy: 88 percent

Tackles: 1.7

Interceptions: 0.8 

Lost in the kerfuffle over where Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will line up this season is the question over what Isco's role will be. In the past, his duties were limited to using his imperious trickery to destroy the souls of opposing defenders while creating for others, but one of Ancelotti's most lasting contributions was to turn Isco into a more rounded central midfielder capable of not only attacking but serving a vital defensive role. Talk in the last two months has been that Benitez will unshackle Isco and will use him in the hole and perhaps on the wings, but is this the best for the team?

Real Madrid, despite fans endlessly braying for Sergio Aguero and Marco Reus to come in, isn't a side which has troubles scoring. Sure, some clubs give the men in white more fits than other, but in general this team will be among the 2-3 most potent in the world. Isco can certainly contribute to this not only in terms of goals and assists but in his ability to beat his man without breaking a sweat, but his willingness to track back and cover for the fullbacks is what really made him a genuinely special talent over the last two seasons. Of course, this limited what he was able to do in the final third given how much energy he expended tracking back but it improved the team balance when someone like Marcelo would bomb forward.

Isco is not Luka Modric like some hoped he would be but that's okay beacause no one is Luka Modric. However, given Illarramendi's shyness in going forward and Casemiro's limited skill, Isco is the only bench midfielder capable of carrying the ball forward from the back. He's not overflowing with pace but he's got more than enough to shuttle around dictating the flow of the transition.

*** 

Overall, this is a very good midfield. Kroos and Modric, with Rodriguez in front of them, is enough to overwhelm all but maybe three clubs. Illarramendi and Casemiro both provide defense off the bench in their own unique ways while Isco is a jack-of-all-trades who could fill in at four roles. However, the skillset of most of these guys overlaps quite a bit and there's no livewire like Di Mario ready to step in and contribute. The only technically skilled option off the bench is Isco, there's really no gamebreaking B2B ready to hop off the pine. Will this be the team's downfall? Perhaps, but there's just so much control and offensive potential from the starters and defensive capabilty from the bench that one would think that something like the defense will be the weak link, not these five. Despite the lack of a big name acquisition this summer, this is still quite a deep midfield and one which should see much better use than what we saw last season, which is a scary thought in itself for any and all opposition.

source: managingmadrid.com

1. Real Madrid 2015/2016 Preview: Defenders

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Real Madrid 2015/2016 Preview: Defenders

Sergio Ramos - Pepe

Since the Pellegrini era there's been little turnover within Madrid's defense (especially so relative to the rest of the squad). Marcelo, Pepe, and Sergio Ramos have over 700 starts combined, most of which have come alongside one another. Real Madrid has found success in scooping up young, unpolished defenders and gradually phasing them into the first team (see: Marcelo, Varane, Ramos), and that practice continued with the signing of Danilo.

By last season's numbers

The most popular defensive stat is goals conceded, but like most metrics, it has its limitations. For example, Rayo Vallecano always, always concede some of the most goals in the league, yet are never in danger of being relegated (Their manager Paco Jémez is a maniac and a beacon of entertainment in football). Levante coughed up the second most goals last season, and finished comfortably in 14th. Allowing many goals does not necessarily doom a team, but when the margin for error in La Liga is so thin, Real cannot afford to have allowed 17 more goals than Barça as they did a year ago. Real Madrid conceded the fifth fewest goals in La Liga (At 38, Real were pretty far off from Barcelona's 21, and very far off from Rayo and Córdoba's 68).

Real were middling in shots against per game (12th place, allowing 11.9 per game). Real ranked 19th in tackles per game, and were dead last in interceptions per game (though these particular stats' deviation are much smaller, and are likely a product of Ancelotti's opportunistic, absorbing defending style). With the arrival of Rafa Benítez, whose reputation for stingy defending precedes him, the expectations for Real's back line have been amplified.

But enough about last season! Let's talk about...flawed stats from...totally meaningless preseason games! Real Madrid have conceded only 2 goals all summer! That's fewer than any preseason in the last 10 years! That's gotta count for something, right? Maybe a little bit? No? Okay. Let's look at the players making up Benítez's back line.

Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos

Now that he's essentially told Manchester United to go kick rocks, Ramos is set to head into 2015-16 as Real's new captain. His defensive ability is well-documented, and there is no reason to believe he'll be a regular liability going forward. And despite having the all-time La Liga records for most yellow AND red cards locked down, he managed to finish last season without a red card! You go, Sergio! One of the world's best defenders in the air and in attack (Ramos has scored at least 3 goals every season at Madrid, a solid mark for a defender), Sergio Ramos should continue to do Sergio Ramos things.

Pepe

Pepe

Ever since turning the corner of 30, Pepe's decline has been anticipated, but if anything he's surged in the latter stages of his career. Bracketed by the likes of Varane, Ramos, and Carvajal, his lack of pace has been hidden and he's been flourishing as a distributing anchor in central defense. His disciplinary record has been plummeting in recent years, and he's perhaps the only Real Madrid to defender to consistently avoid costly mental lapses. He's set to miss the La Liga opener with a minor injury, but the questions around Pepe will remain the same: Can he stay healthy, and will Varane steal his job?

Raphael Varane

Raphael Varane

The world was introduced to Varane in 2012 and he earned the nickname "Don Limpio" or "Mr. Clean" for his lack of mistakes. Though the nickname hasn't stuck, he's lived up to it -- no one on Real Madrid had more clearances than Varane, he commits the fewest fouls on the entire team (not just among defenders), and he picked up only one yellow card in all competitions last season. He's singlehandedly solved Real's Argentinian problem basically becoming Messi Eraser (Messi has scored only one goal from open play or assisted a goal while Varane was on the pitch), and as alluded to earlier it's a matter of when, not if, Varane will take Pepe's spot in the first 11. At times he relies a bit too much on his length and not tackling ability in one-on-one situations, but under Benítez he'll be set to continue his development.

Nacho Fernández

Nacho Fernández

Players who are content knowing they'll never crack their club's starting 11 are hard to find, and Nacho's embracing of this role has turned him into a fan-favorite. He's played both right and left back in emergency situations, and is as good of a fourth-choice center back as you can ask for. Nacho might get the nod in a Copa game or two, but he'll likely only see the La Liga pitch after the hour mark against inferior sides.

Marcelo

Marcelo

Marcelo is becoming an exaggerated version of himself. Over the years, he's gotten better in attack and worse in defense. A magnate of poor positional discipline, Marcelo will likely start the lion's share of matches at left back. His pace hasn't waned even slightly, and his linkup play with Ronaldo is gamebreaking. If Marcelo ever gets dropped from Benítez's starting 11 it will be because he's picked up a knock, or because he's allowed a few too many opposing wingers to run around him.

Fábio Coentrão

Fábio Coentrão

Lost in the constant transfer rumors and injury reports is Coentrão's actual ability. He's the anti-Marcelo, a skilled tackler and man-marker who has a propensity to play his best in the spring's biggest matches. Perhaps he was brought in to be a rotational player in 2011, but his cap total for Real is a shockingly-low 55 matches. Whether he'll wear the Real Madrid shirt in 2015 is unknown, but if he stays and stays healthy, Coentrão is the type of player I could see Benítez loving.

Dani Carvajal

Dani Carvajal

The alarming thing about Carvajal is how in his two seasons as a starter in Madrid his fouls per game number has remained steady, but last year he collected 13 yellow cards, a considerable jump up from six in 2013. He spent 2014 growing both his beard and temper, and while Danilo may have been brought in regardless of Carvajal's play, the Madrid youth product will have to fend off Danilo for minutes in 2015. The good news for Carvajal is most of his issues exist from his shoulders up, and he's still an athletic battering ram on the right wing.

Danilo

Danilo

Here's what we know about Danilo. He's built like a truckhouse. He has center back height, but plays on the right, and shoots with his left. Brazil boss Dunga compares him to Maicon. What we don't know is how Benítez plans to use him, or how much for that matter. It's hard to imagine a scenario in which either he or Carvajal is pencilled in as the undisputed starter, so he'll probably see plenty of the pitch. We just have to sit back and see what the electric Brazilian can do. 

Álvaro Arbeloa

Álvaro Arbeloa

At this point in his career, The Spartan is less a squad player and more a motivator, and like Nacho, he seems okay with it. Since Carvajal's return from loan, Arbeloa has been relegated to the bench and he dropped yet again with the arrival of Danilo. Even as recently as this week Arbeloa's been linked to MLS, so it's unlikely we'll see much of No. 17 on the pitch in 2015.

source: managingmadrid.com

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Real Madrid 2015/2016 Preview: Goalkeepers

Real Madrid Goal keepers

For the first time in 15 years Iker Casillas is not in Real Madrid's squad. The legendary goalkeeper and Madrid decided to part ways and move on from the controversy around his last four or five years in the Spanish capital. Casillas' heir between Real's sticks will need to cope with a lot of pressure, and that's something neither Keylor Navas nor Kiko Casilla are used to.

That's mainly why Los Blancos are still trying to sign David De Gea this summer when they could get him as a free agent a year from now. Until he signs his contract with Madrid -- something that could happen now or in 2016 -- Navas and Casilla will be fighting for the spot. Who has the edge in that battle?

Keylor Navas

Keylor Navas

The Costa Rican signed for the club a year ago hoping to start over Casillas, something that never happened. Ancelotti decided to play him in the Copa del Rey but Real Madrid did not perform well and got knocked out by Atlético de Madrid early in the tournament. It's fair to say that Navas did not shine in those games against Atleti, but Ancelotti did not give him enough games to gain some confidence and form ahead of that tie. 

He's not a very conventional keeper but he manages to make saves. Keylor might not be the favorite player for those fans who wanted an aerial upgrade over Iker Casillas though. Benítez loves to defend well and set pieces will surely be one of his focus, something that could hurt Navas' chances of making the starting XI over Casilla. The Costa Rican was arguably the second best goalkeeper in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but is he ready to start for Real Madrid after spending most of his career playing in minor clubs like Levante? 

Kiko Casilla

Kiko Casilla

Casilla is a product of Real Madrid's academy and he is back after leaving in 2007. Espanyol sent him on loan several times but there he became the keeper he is today. He made his debut with the Spanish national team last season making a big mistake in a friendly against Germany, and while is known for being a classic, safe and steady goalkeeper he tends to cost a couple of goals per season to his team.

He is nowhere near Navas' potential but Casilla is more than a decent reserve goalkeeper for Real Madrid, ready to step his game up in case the starter gets injured or suspended for a long period of time. It's safe to say that Casilla will be on the bench for most of the season, no matter if De Gea ends up signing for Madrid or not.

Again, this battle for the spot could change dramatically if Los Blancos complete the signing of De Gea this month. If that happens, expect Keylor Navas to leave and Casilla to stay as De Gea's reserve.

source: managingmadrid.com

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Who Should be Real Madrid’s Playmaker?

Bale - Isco - James

When Rafa Benítez was appointed as Real Madrid coach, rumours suggested that Bale would play an important role under the Spaniard.

In Los Blancos’ first preseason game against Roma, the former Napoli boss deployed Bale behind Jesé Rodríguez, and the Welshman impressed. Indeed, it seemed that Bale had been missing freedom to roam around the final third.

While Real Madrid continued to produce some impressive and disciplined football, Bale’s performances in the center waned. In yesterday’s win over Tottenham, the Welsh wizard managed to score an impressive solo goal in his central attacking position, but was outshone by his contenders for the No. 10 position.

Madrid’s first goal came as a result of a remarkable cross by Isco which was met by the Colombian James Rodríguez, who headed Madrid into the lead. Still, all debate continues to be centered on whether Isco should start over James on the wing or vice-versa, when in reality the two youngsters should be primary candidates for the playmaking position.

Real Madrid

Nevertheless, Bale was clear regarding his preferred position after the victory against his former club, stating, "It’s my best position. When I played for Tottenham, I felt I played my best football there and when I play for Wales, I play there and play my best football. For me, that’s my position and it’s where I want to play."

Jonathan Barnett, Bale’s agent, also recently weighed in on the debate regarding his client’s role within the team. "I think he had a conversation with Benítez and between them they will find a position that suits them both. One that suits the team and the one suits Gareth. I think that's the most important thing. It has to suit both."

So far, it seems that Benítez’s decision to play Bale in a central attacking position is one which is not suiting neither the team nor the Welshman himself. Bale’s goal against Tottenham was in and of itself an example of his virtues: an ability to intercept passes and pace – two skills which are better fit for a winger.

Certainly, all the evidence suggests that Benítez does not want Bale to be isolated on the right wing. The most prudent decision, however, seems to be deploying Bale on the left, James on the right, Ronaldo as the striker and Isco as the playmaker.

Such a lineup also seems to be preferred by the fans. In a poll done by Spanish newspaper AS, only 7.2% voted for Bale as a playmaker, with Isco receiving 54.9% of the votes.

Bale is a word class player and would surely settle into the No. 10 position if given time. However, given the likes of Isco, James and even Modrić, Bale is surely more suited to a role on the left flank. Benítez seems to be persistent with his new experiment. However, the Spaniard must be wary and avoid benching either one of two fan favourites simply to accommodate Bale in a position which he has not yet earned.

Gareth Bale

source: managingmadrid.com

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What Real Madrid need to do to compete for trophies?

Rafa Benitez

After facing the embarrassment of a trophyless season, despite spending over €100 million in the last transfer window, Real Madrid go into the 2015/16 season with a new manager and a severely bruised ego. As if being trophyless wasn’t enough, they had to endure the pain of seeing their arch rivals Barcelona win their second treble under the guidance of Luis Enrique.

The pressure is now on Rafael Benitez to get Los Blancos back to winning ways, especially considering that his predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti, did what no other manager, after Vicente del Bosque, could do – win the Champions League. The former Liverpool manager knows that he will always be under a guillotine while he sits on the hot-seat of Real Madrid. If he ends up without a title by this time next year, he would almost certainly be replaced by someone else.

So what should he do in order to get Real Madrid back to winning ways?

Utilising the transfer market to strengthen defence and midfield

With Real Madrid, the resources are almost unlimited. They can spend however much they want and get the man of their needs. Real Madrid’s weakest area has been their defence – and that is what they need to reinforce.

With Pepe on the wrong side of 30 and the unreliability of Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid need reinforcements in the area they seem to overlook the most. The Blancos are known for making expensive – and often lavish – signings in the midfield and attacking departments, but they rarely do so when it comes to signing defenders.

Two of Real Madrid’s most expensive defenders are still in the team and it goes to show the value for money they got. However, since then, a lot of big-money signings were made, but none of them were defenders. And Real Madrid have had to pay for it. This season, they conceded twice as many goals as league champions Barcelona and threw away games from winning positions. The lack of consistency in defence has cost them time and time again and it time that they strengthen this area.

Aymec Laporte

Aymeric Laporte was linked to the Whites, but he has been the only centre back so far. Signing him would be a great move for the club as he would certainly improve the defence and build the foundation, along with the very talented Raphael Varane, for years to come.

Another area they should consider improving is the midfield. While they boast astute names like Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Isco and James Rodriguez, the apparent absence of a powerful all-action midfielder undid them against the physical teams. Last season, they had Angel Di Maria who played that part.

Now, the inclusion of Casemiro solves that problem. After an incredible season with Porto, the Brazilian has been brought back to the club and seems set to stay at the capital club. However, having a great season in the Portuguese league doesn’t guarantee the same in Spain.

Danilo is another who could fill in that void. Although most expect him to start at right-back, the former Santos star has played many times in midfield, especially during his time in Brazil, and could certainly be trusted to put in decent shifts when needed.

The best signing the Galacticos could possibly make is that of Paul Pogba. The Frenchman is the best midfielder in his age group and will certainly be the best in a few years’ time. He also fits the bill perfectly as his all-action approach is exactly the kind of midfielder Real Madrid lacked.

Tactics

Once the bidding and buying is dealt with, the ‘fitting’ part comes in. Under Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid played a counter-attacking 4-2-3-1 with Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira as the base of midfield in a double-pivot. Then Carlo Ancelotti came and made subtle tweaks and shifted to a 4-3-3 with Di Maria, Modric and Alonso in the trivote.

Angel Di Maria

The fluid 4-3-3 worked because of the complementary roles of the three players in the trivote. Once Di Maria was sold, that was lost and it ultimately cost the Italian his job. Now, Benitez has replaced the Decima-winning coach and there are already rumours regarding the new system at Real Madrid.

Casemiro’s return will help Real Madrid

Casemiro

Many expect Real Madrid to shift back to a 4-2-3-1 with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the double pivot, Gareth Bale on the left wing and Cristiano Ronaldo as the centre forward. While this system will certainly get the best out of the most expensive players in the world, there are still some doubts regarding the ability of a double-pivot of the Croat and German to withstand barraging midfields.

However, that is not a big concern as Benitez could always play either one of Kroos and Modric as the number 10 and let Casemiro guard the defence – this way, the team will be at its most balanced state.

This system also eradicated the need for another striker. With Ronaldo donning the centre forward role and Karim Benzema being used as a backup, the Blancos wouldn’t be needing a third person to warm the bench.

Getting the best out of Ronaldo and Bale

Gareth Bale has had to endure the jeers of fans after a very average season. He often seemed suffocated on the right wing and putting him back to the left almost guarantees fans to see the best of him. This comes as a great news for Bale aficionados as he can really win games all on his own from the left flank.

Ronaldo has metamorphosed into a pure striker in recent seasons. No longer do we see him receive the ball deep, run past defenders and finish the move by scoring. Now, he is a box player and one could guarantee him to score when the ball finds him there. Playing him as the number 9 further increases the number of times he receives the ball in the box and that, in turn, could increase the already astounding number of goals he scores each season.

Gareth Bale - Cristiano Ronaldo

Another thing that has been slightly overlooked by the press is the number 10 role. One of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Isco and James is sure to play there more frequently – which is their natural and best position. When Isco was bought in 2013, he took over from Ozil and wreaked havoc in all games he played in that role after he made his name known to the world playing as a number 10 for Malaga. The same is the case for James as he displayed what he is truly capable of when playing just behind the striker.

Playing one of these two as the number would certainly bring the absolute best of Real Madrid in terms of pure attacking sense as three out of the front four would be playing roles that utilizes their full ability.

Or, Rafa Benitez could opt for a balanced XI by playing Luka Modric or Toni Kroos as the advanced playmaker – a role which revealed their world class abilities to the world. This would balance the entire system as a whole and Benitez would be wise to use this against teams like Atletico Madrid.

Another system that is being touted around in the papers is a 4-4-2 with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo as the center forwards. However, the chances of playing this system seems very unlikely as it doesn’t fully utilize the potential of the team’s midfield talent because of reasons mentioned earlier.

The new season is set to begin in a couple ime and the former Valencia tactician has time to think his strategy to get the Merengues back to winning ways. The supreme quality of the players in the team means that they really don’t need to make any major signings – except, of course, adding one or two world class defenders.

source: sportskeeda.com

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Can Rafa Benitez Fix Real Madrid's Enigmatic Defence?

Pepe - Varane - Ramos

Carlos Vela charged toward a mass of team-mates on the sideline, Real Sociedad's bench spilling onto the pitch at the Anoeta almost in disbelief. Behind him was a blur of pink, a ball in the net and a scene of remarkable destruction.

Daniel Carvajal had hands on hips. Pepe walked away in a huff. Sergio Ramos stared at the ground. Marcelo appealed in desperation. Iker Casillas threw his arms in the air. Above them all, the scoreboard read Real Sociedad 4-2 Real Madrid, the season's most startling turnaround complete.

The week before the Basques had lost to Eibar, a newly promoted club with the budget of a greengrocer. In the eight weeks that would follow, they wouldn't win again. Worse still, they would barely score in the whole period, manager Jagoba Arrasate quickly losing his job for overseeing one of the least inspiring teams in the division. And yet, somehow, in some way, they'd put four past Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti said he was "sorry."

The Italian went on to add that "something has to change." But did it? In February, Los Blancos were hammered 4-0 by neighbours Atletico Madrid. A month later, they were turned over 4-3 at the Bernabeu by Schalke—a Schalke team that wouldn't win again for almost two months.

Fans waved white handkerchiefs that night. Roy Keane said Madrid looked like a "pub team." Ancelotti said he was "sorry."

Schalke vs Real Madrid

That chaotic loss, and the other two embarrassing ones that had preceded it, became emblematic of what separated Real Madrid from Barcelona last season. Indeed, while many will point to Lionel Messi or Luis Suarez or Neymar or Luis Enrique or some sort of wizardry for the deciding factor, it wasn't any of that—it was the basic art of defending. Both teams scored at will, but only the Catalans prevented opponents doing the same. In fact, Madrid tallied eight more league goals than Barcelona last season, but at the same time conceded almost twice as many. In the notoriously fine margins at the summit of La Liga, the latter is what determines titles.

It is, therefore, the task of new manager Rafa Benitez to rectify that discrepancy, to address an area that remains central to the currently lopsided complexion of the Madrid-Barca rivalry. And for Benitez, the challenge's magnitude is immense; he's fighting history.

Spain's last two title winners in Barcelona and Atletico have conceded 21 and 26 goals across their campaigns, respectively. To find a time when Real Madrid went anywhere near those figures, you have to go back two decades to the 1994-95 season. What's more, Real have only boasted the league's tightest defence once since the turn of the century.

It's this scant regard for one half of the game that has defined the historic power shift that's unfolded in the Primera Division over the last decade or so—no matter what Real's attacking power has been. Barcelona have claimed five of the last seven league titles, an imposing haul made more remarkable by the fact that Madrid outscored them in three of those five successful seasons.

This is Benitez's challenge.

Rafa Benitez - Florentino Perez

Real's defence, of course, has often been enigmatic, the current one particularly so. It's strong but fragile, dazzling but erratic, star-studded but curiously unreliable. Consider its current components.

In Ramos, Madrid possess a 10-year servant of the club, one of the most highly regarded centre-backs in the land. He's a three-time league champion, a Champions League winner, a World and European champion. As a defender, he has it all: pace, strength, ferocity, courage and sublime skill. He's the hero of La Decima, symbolic of his club's essence or identity, a modern personification of madridismo. Ancelotti compared him with Paolo Maldini.

Often standing alongside him is Pepe or Raphael Varane. The former, like Ramos, has won everything there is to win domestically and remains a prominent figure at international level. Powerful, aggressive and imposing, he can, at his best, be a commanding presence, a dominant centre-back. In 2014-15, he also addressed his disciplinary issues, nullifying his greatest flaw.

Varane, meanwhile, is considered the hottest defensive talent on the continent. At just 22, he's already captained France, becoming the youngest player ever to do so. He's had vocal admirers in Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho, Zinedine Zidane and Didier Deschamps. In his skill set, nothing is missing.

Flanking those men is yet more exquisite talent. Carvajal is the right-back for Spain and Real Madrid, a damn good combo. On the other side, Marcelo was probably the best left-back in La Liga last season. Both men are magnificent on the ball, potent two-way weapons in positions that have evolved to demand that very quality.

Those five, that quintet, are the pre-eminent faces. But there are others behind them, too: Fabio Coentrao, Danilo, Nacho and Alvaro Arbeloa represent very capable back-ups. Thus, this team shouldn't have an issue with defending.

But it does.

Sergio Ramos - Pepe

What Real Madrid have is a defensive unit in which the sum of the parts isn't what it should be; there's a strangely large discrepancy between the quality of individuals and the quality of the collective.

It's a situation that's particularly paradoxical when you reflect on some of the recent standout performances from the major faces. At different stages last season, Ramos was unbeatable, Pepe was assured, Varane was a wall, Marcelo was an attacking force and Carvajal was a sprinting, tackling monster. But that's the thing: Despite their individual excellence, you wouldn't say they function in symphony. Together.

For contrast, think of Atletico's almost impenetrable defence of two seasons ago. Los Colchoneros' back four were almost telepathic in their understanding, a remarkable cohesiveness underpinning their strength. They moved up, back and across together, never allowing themselves to become separated as they expanded and contracted their shape, seemingly connected by an invisible bungee cord as they did so. Certainly, the ethos and style expectations are very different at the Vicente Calderon than they are at the Bernabeu, but the comparison is still revealing: Real Madrid's back four isn't anything like that.

It's this, therefore, that Benitez has to change. And the answer doesn't lie in the transfer market; it lies internally.

Think of Real Madrid's defence as a V8 engine. You can give the same basic V8 to two different car companies, but one will fine-tune it better to yield more horsepower from the exact same unit. Essentially, that's Benitez's task: to get more out of what's already there.

Rafa Benitez

The Madrilenian, based on precedent, should be well-equipped for it. Between 2001 and 2004, his Valencia teams were notoriously stingy and at their peak, his Liverpool outfits were, too. A manager who's obsessive over fine details, Benitez is particularly fussy about positional discipline and systematic balance—the sort of boss who won't be at all satisfied with 7-3 scorelines.  

"This team has bags of talent," he said at the conclusion of Madrid's tour of Australia. "We have to take advantage of that and just improve that little bit in defence."

Inevitably, discipline and order have formed large components of Benitez's approach this summer, Marca describing his focus as "defence, defence and more defence." With his holistic mentality toward the game's less glamorous side, the still-polarising coach will undoubtedly see the robustness of his back four as interconnected with the defensive capacity of the whole team. 

Whereas his predecessor utilised an attacking, flowing 4-3-3, Benitez with his characteristic 4-2-3-1 setup should provide more cover to a defensive quartet that has often been as stranded and isolated as Chuck Noland. In a holding "two," Toni Kroos will benefit from an extra body alongside him, often in the form of Luka Modric, but sometimes the grittier, scrappier Casemiro, too. At the very least, that should constitute some sort of shield for Ramos and Co. 

Then, behind them, there's the goalkeeping issue. Despite the uneasiness or coldness of his exit, Casillas, amid his steady decline, did need to depart. From a purely playing perspective, the right outcome has been reached, even if it was reached in a manner that didn't please anyone.

What's left behind is an intriguing battle between two glovemen. For now, Keylor Navas is the No. 1; behind him is Kiko Casilla. The former, in style, is much like the man he's replacing: fast, agile and a terrific shot-stopper. In contrast, the latter brings with him qualities that have been missing between the posts at the Bernabeu for some time: size, power and immense aerial strength. Put the pair in a blender, and you have a goalkeeping super smoothie. 

Keylor Navas

Navas is the safer option, the less error-prone man and the longer-serving of the two. Yet, even so, the presence of either might inspire more confidence in the four men in front. Last season, the tentativeness and discomfort of Casillas had sadly grown palpable, Ancelotti's back four hampered by a damaging sense of uncertainty behind them. Thus, the knowledge of the Costa Rican's reflexes might be comforting for Real's defensive quartet. So might the Spaniard's expertise in dealing with crosses and corners. 

Still, though, the change in identity between the sticks and the restructuring of the midfield remain peripheral issues to Benitez's primary task: fine-tuning that back four, that V8, to find another level. 

Benitez will want to curb the impulsiveness of Ramos, narrowing the distance between his extremes. He'll want a more identifiable connection between the Andalusian and Pepe; to address Varane's gambling tendencies; to add a dash of conservatism to Marcelo; to eek extra positional attentiveness from Carvajal. 

These are the internal solutions Benitez must find, the solutions that hold the key to not only his own success at the Bernabeu, but to altering the dynamic of the rivalry with Barcelona that has flipped unfavourably against his boyhood club. 

As Benitez has acknowledged, the talent is already there; the components he needs he already has. It's up to him to give them clarity in their purpose, to transform them, collectively, from an enigma to a force. 

If he can, Real Madrid can and will win titles. If he can't, the club's underachievement will continue.  

source: bleacherreport.com

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