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Attack
Left-wing: Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard will have the chance to start his career with Real Madrid anew this season after injuries kept him from reaching the same heights he scaled at Chelsea. When he's fully fit, he's probably one of the first names on the team sheet and brings a lot of quality in the final third.
As things stand he is out of this season's opener against Real Sociedad due to an ankle injury and all things considered this is not he would've wished for his second season with the Spanish outfit to get underway.
Hazard netted just one goal across 22 appearances in his debut campaign in Spain, and though Madrid ended up winning their first league title in three years last season, he drew a lot of flak for an injury-marred campaign. If he can keep up his fitness levels he can be the star player for them this season.
Right-wing: Marco Asensio
Marco Asensio established himself as one of the most promising talents in Europe three years ago when he lit up the La Liga with his eye-catching performances for Real Madrid in the 2017-18 season as a 21-year-old. Since that season his performances and fitness levels have been dodgy.
Due to a serious crucial ligament injury, he missed the majority of the 2019-20 campaign and when he returned from injury, could only clock a total of 363 minutes on the pitch. Fortunately, his cameo appearance proved to be an impressive one as he showed that he can operate much better on the right-wing as a naturally left-footed player with all of his three goals and one assist coming from that position.
If he is fully fit, his presence solves a major issue for Zidane, as his speed, dribbling abilities and deadly left-foot can provide much-needed energy on the right flank. If he struggles with injuries yet again, we can expect to see Lucas Vasquez, Ødegaard or even Isco to start in that position.
Striker: Karim Benzema
From quietly accepting his role as the No.2 to all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo for nine seasons and then enjoying two of the best seasons of his career without him, Karim Benzema has really stepped up for the Spanish giants. His exploits in front of the goal were crucial as Real Madrid claimed the league title last season.
He has continued his goalscoring form in the break as well. He scored four goals in the preseason friendly against Getafe and looks set to challenge Lionel Messi for the Pichichi Trophy this term.
One surprising stat from Real Madrid's 2019-20 campaign was that defender Sergio Ramos was their second-best goal scorer with 11 goals, behind Benzema who had 21 goals.
So, it's clear that the Frenchman is being made to do most of the heavy lifting in the final third and if Madrid are to retain their league title they need others to step up and take the burden off the two-time Real Madrid Mahou Cinco Estrellas (Five Stars) Player-of-the-Season award winner .
Also See:
10 teams that have conceded the fewest goals in the 21st century
How Real Madrid could line up
Well, when talking about a club like Real Madrid, which has incredible depth, it is often the case that only a handful of players are guaranteed a starting spot. In the current situation, despite having a lot of options ,it is expected that Zidane will choose a familiar squad as the fringe players have not been up to the mark.
It is expected that the tried and tested 4-3-3 will be used by the French manager, with Hazard, Benzema, Ramos, Courtois, Casemiro, Kroos, Carvajal and Varane all expected to play the maximum minutes this term.
Martin Ødegaard will be the one to watch as his versatility will come in handy when Zidane would like to switch things up on the pitch. On the left-back we expect Ferland Mendy to give Marcelo a healthy competition and the duo will probably split the appearances between them.
Gareth Bale and Sergio Reguilon will likely depart by the end of this month and even after the departure of these two stars Real Madrid will still have a very strong squad.
