Forwards
Left Winger/Auxilliary Striker: Cristiano Ronaldo
It would be a waste of space to describe why the most lethal player of the world HAS to play every minute that he can for the club. 364 goals in 348 appearances over 7 seasons, of which 51 came in the previous season, make it apparent that this is a player who can make the difference at any moment in time of a game.
Unless Real are rotating their squad for an inconsequential La Liga or Copa game, there is no way that Ronaldo does not make the XI when fit.
Right Winger/Attacking Midfielder: Gareth Bale
While he was roundly criticized for playing at a below-par level in his second season in Madrid, Bale bounced back last season from a number of injuries to score 19 goals in 30 appearances last season. Though he missed large swathes of the season on account of injury, he never took too long to bounce back straight into top form.
In a number of league and Champions League games, he proved to be an essential member of the team and held his own at crucial moments
There is a reason that Bale was, till last week, the most expensive player in the world, and continues to command fear on the same lines from opposition defenders. With the departure of Jese from the club, now there is no substitute for Bale’s raw pace and acceleration.
Striker: Alvaro Morata/Karim Benzema
This is a stretch, to say the least, but Karim Benzema did not look very sharp in the Super Cup after coming on for Alvaro Morata. Benzema is better suited to playing with his back to defenders, but Morata is the stronger specimen and a faster dribbler, with great presence of mind and an appetite for goals that has been whetted in 2 seasons spent in the goal-hungry Serie A.
He has polished his finishing, and he is now better at finishing off chances. Morata is also aged just 23 now, and unless Real have plans to sell him for a steep profit, he looks to have come back to Madrid for good. Zidane should begin to give both him and Benzema the same treatment.
This would encourage a healthy rivalry between the seasoned, classy Benzema and the sharp, lively Morata, much like the times of Higuain and Benzema.
