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The aftermath of the departure of talisman Cristiano Ronaldo and manager Zidane from Real Madrid looks scary to the fans but the newly appointed club coach Julen Lopetegui does not seem worried about the situation. Lopetegui, who was the part of first training session with the team in Valdebebas seemed to be very confident regarding the future and claimed that regardless of the current happenings and what's going to happen to in the coming few weeks, he'd have a very strong squad ahead of the 2018-19 season and backed his players saying,"We'll be ready to face any challenge ahead with real confidence."
Lopetegui is known to play attacking football in which the fullbacks supply numerous amount of crosses and also help in the build-up, setting one of the attacking players free. The ex-Porto coach shares a good bond with Spanish players already as he has coached them for unbeatable 20 matches and scoring a bagful of 64 goals during the period until when he was sacked by the Spanish football federation just one day prior to the start of their world cup campaign. Lopetegui would like to use the brilliant midfield which Real Madrid possesses to create the attacking opportunities.
Let's take a look at some players who'll be shining under Julen Lopetegui:
#3 Gareth Bale
Despite the surrounding speculations over his future and the rumours linking him with Manchester United, Gareth Bale looks set to stay at Real Madrid. The Welshman made 26 appearances for the Los Blancos in La Liga 2017-18 bagging 16 goals despite a long-term injury which left him out of the squad for a while. He was in an extraordinary form in the second half of the season and was expected to start the UCL final in Kiev which he started on the bench. Later, he came on and scored two spectacular goals to bring the title to the Spanish capital.
After the departure of Ronaldo, it is obvious that Bale would be getting more minutes and with his pace, crossing and finishing abilities, he looks a perfect threat under Lopetegui's plans. It is the best time for Gareth Bale to outshine everyone provided he stays fit for the coming season of football.
#2 Dani Ceballos
The former Real Betis central midfielder had been in a brilliant form with his national side and was said to be the heart of Betis' midfield. Ceballos in known to control the tempo of the game and his pace along with world-class finishing skills put him in the highest of orders. However, he wasn't given chance to prove himself at Real Madrid under former coach Zinedine Zidane. By the style of play he possesses, and his ability, Ceballos looks one of the most important players according to Lopetegui's tactics who generates the build up from the midfield with fullbacks supporting them.
Dani Ceballos was one of the least used players in the Madrid squad for the past season but he never failed to impress with his national side. The talented midfielder has made 6 appearances in 2017-18 for his U-21 Spanish side in which he bagged a handful of 4 goals. Lopetegui's tactics perfectly suit his style of playing and is obvious that he is in the plans of Julen Lopetegui.
#1 Marco Asensio
The player who took the world under his feet by his spectacular goals, dribbles and left foot precision is set to shine under the new manager. They already share a good bond with each other. Asensio featured in 32 La Liga matches previous season though he usually came on as a sub in most of the games. He managed to score 6 goals and provide 6 assists in the 2017-18 La Liga season.
By some, Asensio is said to be the heir of Ronaldo at Real Madrid as the player is exceptional with free kicks, crossing the ball, building up the play and setting other players free. He likes to hold the possession of the ball and dribble past players to score some insane goals. Asensio can score from long range too and Julen Lopetegui would be using him as a left winger to play his natural game which would benefit the attacking build-up setting Bale and Benzema free in the box. Asensio seems to have a bright future ahead and it is the right time to prove himself.
