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Zinedine Zidane surprisingly stepped down from Real Madrid's bench just a few days after they won their third straight Champions League title. On 12 June, Real Madrid announced that Julen Lopetegui will replace Zidane at their bench. However, there have been more surprises for Real Madrid fans.
On 10 July, Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Juventus after nine seasons with Real Madrid. The Cristiano Ronaldo era at Real Madrid is over. It's time for them to start a real revolution at their club. Lopetegui benefits a lot from his departure because he can now build a new side around young Spanish players.
Zidane is a counter-attacking minded manager. On the other side, Julen Lopetegui is a manager who prefers tiki-taka style and possession is an integral part of his system. Julen Lopetegui is a very interesting coach and Real Madrid fans should be very excited about the start of the new season.
Also read: 3 things that will happen at Real Madrid under Lopetegui
With all his previous teams, Lopetegui has played with a 4-3-3 formation. Surely, Lopetegui will use this formation at Real Madrid. In the picture above, you can see Real Madrid's ideal starting lineup for 2018/19 season.
Goalkeeper
Real Madrid has finally managed to sign Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea. Signing a goalkeeper wasn’t a must for Real, but Courtois will surely improve the team. Now, Julen Lopetegui must choose between him and Keylor Navas. Lopetegui believes that he can give both keepers sufficient time.
The Belgium goalkeeper should be the first option in the starting lineup. He is a very good shot-stopper and he won the Golden Glove award at the World Cup in Russia last month. But, Lopetegui tends to play from the back line and his goalkeeper must be comfortable on the ball. Courtois is not so comfortable on the ball and Lopetegui must work on that aspect of his game.
Defenders
Julen Lopetegui should prefer the backline of Alvaro Odriozola, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo.
The centre backs in Lopetegui's system must be comfortable on the ball. Also, they need to be able to dribble into the midfield when they have an opportunity.
There should be no worries about centre-back positions. They are reserved for Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane. Arguably one of the best defensive duos in the world right now. The pair has helped guide Real Madrid to four Champions League trophies, two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey trophy, two Spanish SuperCups, three UEFA SuperCups and three Fifa Club World Cup.
Varane is known for his strength, speed and technical ability and he is perfectly equipped to Lopetegui's system.
Sergio Ramos is the longest-serving member and the captain of the club. He has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in Europe of this era.
Lopetegui loves to see his fullbacks high up the pitch. This is important to provide width for the team. Dani Carvajal hasn't been the same since his heart problem. Because of that, Lopetegui has made Alvaro Odriozola his first major signing at Madrid.
With signing young promising players in recent transfer windows, Real Madrid have made a brilliant job.
Odriozola is one of Lopetegui's favourite players and that's the reason why he was chosen over Sergi Roberto to go to the World Cup in Russia.
He may flourish under Julen Lopetegui because he is one of the best right attacking fullbacks in La Liga.
Marcelo is an offensive full-back, a wing-back essentially. This fact makes him perfect for Lopetegui's system. He will enjoy playing high up the pitch because he will now have even more freedom on the left side. He can defend but it’s a secondary aspect of his game.
Midfielders
Real Madrid's midfield is going to be the most entertaining aspect in their next season. Lopetegui likes to play with a midfield-heavy side. He is very midfield dominating orientated and he could bring Tiki-taka to Real Madrid. He might be Real Madrid's Pep Guardiola. In Lopetegui's system, all midfielders and wingers must be highly intelligent players.
Lopetegui's structure of Real Madrid will heavily rely on a defensive midfielder. Lopetegui knows Casemiro very well. They were together at Porto in the 2014/15 season when Real Madrid loaned him out. In that season, Casemiro showed his great talent. It is going to be very interesting to watch Casemiro in a system where composure under pressure is very important. However, Lopetegui appreciates Casemiro's defensive qualities enough to put him in the starting lineup.
Surely, Lopetegui won't remove Kroos and Modrić from starting XI. Kroos and Modrić like to play with the ball at their feet and that is exactly how Lopetegui prefers his team to play.
Luka Modrić is the glue that holds Real Madrid together. The spark that fires every move they make. With him, they're invincible. He will be turning 33 soon, but there is still fire in him. The World Cup 2018 is a perfect proof for that. He won the „Golden Ball“ at the end of the tournament.
Also, Lopetegui tends to work with young players. Dani Ceballos and Marcos Llorente will have a chance to prove themselves.
Forwards
Gareth Bale and Isco Alcorcon will play on the wing positions. Lopetegui will definitely build his squad around Isco. Isco will certainly love the arrival of the former Spanish coach because he is Lopetegui's favorite player.
Isco has shone at the national level under the 51-year-old's guidance. In 14 games for Spain under Lopetegui, he scored nine goals including his first senior hat-trick. Isco was Spain's best player at the World Cup in Russia.
Cristiano Ronaldo's departure has left a big void in the attack. The club needs a new leader and that should be Gareth Bale. He is definitely ready for that role. Bale will play on the right side of the attack. He will cut inside because he is left footed. Real Madrid fans can expect a big amount of goals and assists from Bale this season.
And finally, Benzema should be in the center-forward position. Benzema is very good with the ball at his feet. Also, Benzema has a good movement which will be crucial in Lopetegui's system. It's up to Lopetegui to improve Benzema's finishing.
