Possible Real Madrid starting XI vs Sporting Gijon

Who starts for Real Madrid? Across Spain, the Catalonians swept across everything that was in front of them. The crosstown rivals in red managed to snatch away all 6 points in the league, whereas the likes of Villareal and Valencia were speedbumps in their long road to the league title. Real Madrid, just a year after the historic Decima success in Lisbon, finished empty-handed and had to endure yet another season full of disappointments.Changes, as it was expected, followed. Right from the dressing room to the dugout, Los Blancos have altered everything in their quest to win silverware again. With the new season now just a few hours away, the Spanish capital is raring to kick-start the new season and what better way to lay the gauntlet down to the rivals than beginning the league with a bang? Real Madrid must surely be aiming for the same when they travel to El Molinon to take on the newly promoted side Sporting Gijon.We predict the season's first official line-up that manager Rafael Benitez is likely to opt for.

#1 Goalkeeper: Keylor Navas

With club icon and captain Iker Casillas now gone, the position between the sticks is likely to be taken over by Keylor Navas, who started in all the pre-season games, thereby suggesting his chances of claiming the no.1 role under the bar.

The Costa Rican international signed last season from Levante following his heroics at the World Cup but was far from his talismanic self that we saw in Brazil. Navas featured for a total of 11 times last campaign, but will see greater number of opportunities coming his way now that he is set to stake a claim for the netminding role for Blancos on a permanent basis.

Navas has a bigger responsibility to shoulder this campaign and needs to bring his A1 game nolens volens, as Real are out to prove a point.

#2 Defenders: Danilo-Ramos-Pepe-Marcelo

The new boy on the block Danilo, is set to gain his first taste of being a Galactico as the Brazilian is prognosticated to take up the right-back role ahead of the much preferred Daniele Carvajal, for the opening game away to Sporting Gijon.

The 24-year old fullback was signed by the Meringues this summer in a move to beef up the wayward defence and was hugely impressive during his three-year spell at Porto. His pace, technicality and penchant to drift into the foray makes him really dangerous in the offense whereas his reading of the game and harrowing attackers into submission with his tackles and physicality, makes him equally adroit at the back.

Having just signed a contract extension despite the continued links with long-term admirers Manchester United, Real’s new captain Sergio Ramos cannot wait to resume his Madrid chores and prove why it was right on the club’s part to tie him up for a few more years.

The maverick Spaniard had a relatively quiet season last time around and will be all fired up to refurbish his reputation as one of the world’s best defenders.

Partnering him at the heart of the defence will be Pepe, who has also extended his stay in the Spanish capital. The Portuguese international, famously known for his horrendous tackles and clumsy fouls, has been a mainstay in the Real backline for nearly a decade now and will once again be expected to take up his position for the opening game of the season.

The final piece of the jigsaw in the Real Madrid defensive line-up is Marcelo, who is set to begin his 8th season with the Blancos. The Brazilian looked ropey at the back for much of last season, but his contributions in the attack were undeniable. The fullback will look to make amends when he starts the season from the place where got his first ever strike for Real Madrid.

#3 Midfielders: James-Modric-Kroos

James Rodriguez of Colombia had a terrific debut campaign with Blancos last time, netting 17 times in 47 appearances, and after a miserable Copa Amrica outing in Chile 2 months ago, will attempt to banish the memories with another stellar season, embellished with goals, goals and goals.

The Colombian was handed a rest following his participation in the Latin-American showpiece and can hit the ground running when he returns to the fold in this game.

With a season ravaged by injuries, Luka Modric couldn’t make much of an impact on his side’s fortunes last term, missing out on a large swathe of the season. Although the Croat will be facing competition from the compatriot and newly acquired Matteo Kovacic, he is expected to start ahead of him in the opener.

After a whirlwind start to life in Spain, Toni Kroos took his foot off the gas in the latter half of the last season, where he appeared exhaustive and laregly ineffective in the crucial games. The German has, however, responded in an encouraging fashion with his performances during the pre-season and looks fit and firing which is a huge plus for Real Madrid.

#4 Forwards: Bale-Benzema-Ronaldo

The world’s most expensive player Gareth Bale was brought under heavy criticism last season for his poor showings and had become an object of derision amongst the fans. Boos and jeers were showered while his performance continued to disappoint.

Now under the new man in the dugout, Benitez, Bale will be hoping to regain his top form and can leave an immediate mark on the fans if he delivers from the first day itself.

Karim Benzema has been handed a target of 25 goals for the season by the Spanish manager and can be attained if the Frenchman starts firing right from day one. The 28-year old managed to accrue just 15 strikes in the league last season as his stock significantly dropped. If the required target is met, Benzema can go a long way in playing an instrumental role in helping lift trophies for the season.

Lastly, the most important player of the squad, Cristiano Ronaldo will go Hammer and Tongs this season after watching his rival Lionel Messi lift the treble. While the Portuguese took home the Golden Boot, the Golden Ball for the best player in Europe as well as for the year, probably has the Argentine’s name written on it this time, something that he would like to correct this season. And to do that, he will have to chaperon Real to titles once again this season and also continue to bag goals at the exceptional rate like he always does.

Expect atleast a brace from the beast in the starting game at Gijon.