5 things Real Madrid have to do to become unstoppable

Real Madrid have been unstoppable in the Champions League for three years running now. They have been so dominant that winning Europe's elite competition is eventually becoming an annual event of sorts at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Though they have been going great guns in Europe, their domestic form has dwindled considerably. They finished 3rd on the La Liga table, just 3 points ahead of 4th placed Valencia and a whopping 16 points behind runaway league winners Barcelona.

Real Madrid struggled for form with their main goalscoring outlet Cristiano Ronaldo struggling in front of goal for the first half of the campaign. However, he did rediscover his form but it came too late for Los Blancos.

With Zinedine Zidane leaving and the club's future hanging in the balance, let's take a look at 5 things that Real Madrid will need to do to become unstoppable across all competitions once again.

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#5 Find a worthy replacement for Zidane

Zidane has parted ways with Real Madrid

Zinedine Zidane's exit from the club's helm must have been surprising but it was not shocking, per se. Zizou left the club a hero. Also, the club was far too reliant on their star performers to see them through the rough tides and it was time to put a proper footballing philosophy in place.

Now what the Real Madrid board has to do is find a worthy replacement for Zidane. Though several high-profile managers like Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri and Arsene Wenger are being linked to the job, fans will be lulled into a false sense of security thinking that Zidane can be easily replaced.

However, it is not an easy task at all. In fact, it is the very opposite. Real Madrid have such a star-studded squad and too many egos to manage inside the dressing room. This is why having a coach like Zinedine Zidane who, as a player, has seen it all was ideal for the Blancos.

Zidane was someone the players looked up to and because of his age, he could connect well with the players as well. He also knew how to manage his men well as evidenced by his decision to stick with Benzema through his tough times.

Hence, finding a worthy replacement is of paramount importance at the Santiago Bernabeu.

#4 Get Gareth Bale to stay

Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring a

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in the Champions League final

This is a no-brainer really. Gareth Bale is one of the best footballers in the world and despite having to battle with injuries on a regular basis throughout the course of his career up to this point, he has defied the odds and silenced his critics.

Bale was particularly criticized in the latter half of this past campaign where he missed out due to an injury and a few factions of the fanbase wanted him to be shipped off. But he returned in style and scored 2 beauties in the Champions League final against Liverpool. In fact, he has been immense since his return.

In his last 10 appearances in the season, Bale scored 10 goals and set up another. He only played 26 La Liga games, starting 20. Yet, he has amassed 16 goals and 2 assists. Those are numbers that would look good on a player who was available throughout the campaign.

The writing on the wall is clear. Real Madrid need to keep Gareth Bale and commit him to a long-term contract.

#3 Sign a world-class striker

Timo Werner could be a worthy addition to the Real Madrid squad

With Karim Benzema playing more like a False Nine and Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly ready to leave the club, Real Madrid are in desperate need of a world-class striker. Los Galacticos are always used to having the best players in Europe in their team and though they haven't broken the bank in recent transfer windows, they should now.

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane has been constantly linked to Real Madrid but it looks unlikely that a deal with fall through. The Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is one of the most difficult people in football to negotiate with and with Madrid not gaining further ground in their pursuit of the England striker so far, it looks unlikely that the transfer will happen this season.

RB Leipzig's Timo Werner is another top target. Werner has been in great form for his Bundesliga side and is one of the most promising youngsters plying their trade in Europe's big leagues at this time. The 22-year-old scored 22 goals and provided 9 assists across all competitions in the 2017-18 season.

Timo is also Germany's first choice striker at the World Cup. This would be a great time for Real Madrid to sign him and the player is likely to have no doubts if the biggest club in the world come knocking for his signature.

#2 Sign a world-class goalkeeper

Keylor Navas is a little too prone to errors

Keylor Navas has served Real Madrid well. He was immense in the Champions League final in Kiev against Liverpool and has been solid more often than not. But therein lies the problem. For a club of Real Madrid's stature, what Keylor Navas brings to the table is simply not enough anymore.

Navas is susceptible to the odd error and this could have cost Real Madrid dearly in the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich. Navas put on a mediocre performance which allowed the Old Lady back into the game. If not for Ronaldo's goal that came from a controversial penalty decision at the fag end of the game, Navas would have been crucified by the Bernabeu faithful.

The Costa Rican no. 1 is 31-years-old now and it is about time that Madrid signed a world-class goalkeeper to replace him. Long-term target David de Gea has once again been linked with a move to Real Madrid but going by history, it is unlikely to take place.

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has also been heavily linked with Real Madrid after he admitted that his heart is in Madrid as that's where his family is stationed.

Bringing either of these world-class goalkeepers will help plug the leak. David de Gea is the best goalkeeper in the world right now and if he can replicate the kindof form that made him a hero at Old Trafford, Real Madrid will become unstoppable.

#1 Find a worthy Cristiano Ronaldo replacement

What a player Ronaldo has been for Real Madrid

Out of all the things mentioned on this list, this will be the toughest thing for Real Madrid to do. So immense has been his contribution that Real Madrid will never be the same when he steps down. With rumours of an exit rife, this is the right time for Real Madrid to find a replacement.

Ronaldo has scored 450 goals in 438 matches for Real Madrid. Those numbers might never ever be bettered. He has scored more than 10 goals in the Champions League for 7 consecutive years. Ronaldo has been the most vital element of this Real Madrid team and has been irreplaceable throughout his time at the Bernabeu.

Now, the time to bid goodbye seems to have come. And only a handful of players can ever even dream of matching Ronaldo's quality. The answer is simple, sign Neymar Jr. They quite simply have to sign the Brazilian by hook, line or sinker or they are going to be in for one helluva reality check when the Portuguese talisman decides to call it a day.

Neymar has been heavily linked to Real Madrid and the rumours suggest that the union is not far from manifesting.