La Liga: Real Madrid's ideal line-up for 2019/20

After 9 seasons of glory with Cristiano Ronaldo in the side, Real Madrid had let go of their star forward. Ominously, the coach who has led them to 3 consecutive Champions League titles also stepped down last summer.

With a new coach in place and no major additions to the starting XI, despite a significant departure, Real Madrid would go into a season to begin a managerial switcheroo till they ended where they began, and a fervent will to mend the damage that last season's inactivity had inflicted.

This summer, Real's imports include Eden Hazard, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Luka Jovic, Rodrygo Goes, and Takefusa Kubo. Two relative unknowns, but four who would either step directly into the starting XI or be given regular game time even if they are to rotate with other players. The Spanish transfer window isn't shut yet, and Real have been linked with others including Tottenham's Christian Eriksen, Manchester United's Paul Pogba, Ajax's Donny van de Beek, and in dramatic fashion, to PSG's Neymar in a deal that would see Luka Modric go to Paris.

Regardless of who is brought in to the Santiago Bernabeu over the next few weeks, Zidane has experimented plenty with the system in pre-season. Largely experimenting with a 4-2-3-1 set-up that defends as a 4-4-2, with the arrival of Eder Militao in training, he put out a 3-4-3 against RB Salzburg. It might have been just another experiment, but from Real's point of view, it bore results in terms of a solid team performance.

Real Madrid may be due for a change in formation if pre-season is any indicator

This team that Zidane is in the process of rebuilding could use a dose of positivity just about now amid all the stifling negativity of last season and the poor showing of last season. If things don't work out, Zidane could always revert to the tried and tested 4-3-3, but the move to freshen up this team may just work.

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Goalkeeper

Real Madrid will stick with the giant Courtois in goal

Keylor Navas has served Real Madrid faithfully, and well, in the last few years, so his displacement by the arrival of Thibaut Courtois may seem harsh. It is, however, the need of the future for the Spanish giants. Had they done the same in some other positions, taking steps to find successors for the likes of Marcelo and Modric earlier rather than waiting for cracks to emerge, they may not have found themselves in the middle of a "crisis".

Courtois is set to continue as the first-choice keeper with Navas as the backup in goal. The Costa Rican will also likely resume his duties as a starter in most of Real's Copa del Rey fixtures. The 20-year-old Andriy Lunin may also get a few minutes this season having had a sensational U20 World Cup winning campaign with Ukraine this summer

Defenders

Ramos and Varane will have competition from Militao and Nacho

Real Madrid conceded 46 goals last season, which makes them the worst defence of La Liga's top 5 finishers in 2018/19. Which isn't out of the ordinary for Real Madrid, who've had poorer defensive records in comparison to Atletico Madrid and Barcelona stretching back to 2011/12. This is the most they've conceded since 2009 when they shipped an eye-watering 52 goals.

Clearly, there is room for improvement, and even with the arrival of Eder Militao, the starting centre-back pairing will most likely be that of Ramos and Varane. The French defender's fragile health and Ramos' age means that both Nacho and Militao should get their share of the action as well. Although, Zidane has set the cat amongst the pigeons by touting a potential 3-man backline which could see Militao, Varane, and Ramos line up alongside each other.

The full-back positions at either end would largely retain the services of Carvajal and Marcelo, we will possibly see more of Ferland Mendy over the course of the season once the left-back recovers from injury. Odriozola has also made a case for more regular inclusion in the first team, but Carvajal can be assured of his place for now.

In case, Real do switch to a system requiring wing-backs, none of the players should have too much of a problem adapting to the new role. Although it could beg the possibility that the likes of Vazquez or Asensio when he's fit could be considered in that role for more attacking impetus as well. Dare I even propose the idea that Gareth Bale could've played there for Real?

Midfielders

Real Madrid need to freshen up the trio in midfield

This is where Real's cracks are the most visible. Modric's age shows when asked to play with Toni Kroos in a double pivot, and the German is no bustling engine either. Both are still very high calibre players, but the days of when they could manage a bit of everything seem to be behind them. They will still manage more complete performances on some days, but can't be expected to do so consistently.

This is where the reliance on Casemiro is striking. The Brazilian has been able to fill gaps where the duo have lacked and Zidane can afford to lean on him at the moment. Even any injury issues could be bayed by the presence of the Uruguayan Federico Valverde who has shown that he can play a similar role to Casemiro, whether at the base of a midfield three or in a double pivot alongside Kroos or Modric.

Last season we saw Kroos, Modric, and Casemiro in the middle of the pitch for most of the season. Despite poor results, none of the trio lost their place in the side, but with a change of system this time around, it could mean more time on the bench for one of them. Isco could be considered to replace Kroos in a midfield trio, but in a double pivot, Isco would be suited to a role further up the pitch.

Forwards

Real Madrid Unveil New Signing Luka Jovic

Real are leaking goals at the back, and have been able to compensate with goals of their own in the past, but they only scored 63 in the league this season. The closest goals tally they have in recent times is 66 league goals in 2006-07 under Fabio Capello and they won La Liga that season.

The changing times have called for close to a 100 goals in the league if not more for Real to succeed. With the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, those goals have dried up. Benzema showed that he's capable of a good goalscoring season with 21 goals in the league and 30 overall, but the supporting cast have let Real down. Credit to Real for realising that and spending in the summer to try and rectify the lack of goals.

With the new signings, under the 4-3-3 convention that Real Madrid have followed over the treble Champions League winning years (and before), the starting front three would most likely be Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema, and Lucas Vazquez or Isco, depending on form and willingness of this third forward to track back and contribute in defence.

The same may hold true for a 3-4-3 setup, which would become more of a 3-5-2 in defence. And the modern Gareth Bale who's evolved such since his early left-back days, would slot right in among that front three but that relationship seems to have fractured too much to go back. Asensio may have been a good bet as well, but the heart-wrenching shadow of an ACL injury looms over him currently.

There is no dearth of attacking talent at Real with the likes of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo Goes no doubt awaiting a chance to prove themselves. Given time and opportunity, Mariano may make a case for himself as well.

The most intriguing piece of the attacking puzzle may be the potential inclusion of Luka Jovic in attack. In a 4-2-3-1 formation, it could be argued that Jovic and Benzema could both start in the forward and support striker roles with Hazard, and Isco or Vazquez on the flanks. Although, purists may argue that Isco is more suited to the role in the hole, Jovic comes from Eintracht Frankfurt where he played in two man strikeforce, linking up with Sebastian Haller. The young striker can bring that energy and strike up a chemistry with Benzema that could be Real's primary weapon in attack.