Analyzing Real Madrid’s 2016-17 La Liga season

Real Madrid begins their 2016-17 La Liga season at the weekend, and despite not penning any new “galactico,” Zinedine Zidane’s squad is still downright loaded with talents, but how will the French manager line-up?

After taking over for Rafael Benitez last campaign, Zidane had a 4-3-3 line-up with the untouchable triumvirate known as BBC leading the attack. When healthy, Real used the same personnel throughout the season, which lead them to their 11th Champions League glory.

By bringing in Alvaro Morata from Juventus, and club president Florentino Perez quoted saying,

“You’ve come home and it’s something that you have earned with your talent, strength and ability to sacrifice,” per the Sun.

More from Playing for 90

“Here you grew with values that will be with you throughout your career and your life.

“A beginning that has helped you to become the player that you are today.

“These are happy days for Madrid because we have just won a new European title and we now have with us one of the best forwards in the world.

“On top of that, someone who knows and has lived since a child, the true Real Madrid.

Keylor Navas Achilles injury has opened the door for Kiko Casilla to start in goal for the Los Blancos, the Costa Rican international was ruled of the Copa America for the same injury.

Navas had a terrific 2015-16 campaign and was one of the club’s most consistent players, despite the club’s eagerness to ink Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea last summer, BBC reported. He was essential in the UEFA Champions League penalty shootout against city rivals Atletico Madrid.

Although Casilla had a good showing in the Super Cup triumph against Sevilla, Madrid will need Navas to be their no.1 goalkeeper if they want to win more honors. The former Espanyol keeper allowed 10 goals in five appearances last term proven to be a liability in the back-line.

Marcelo has been in a magnificent form this pre-season, often taking on some offensive duties while the front three continues to rest. His maturation and offensive display has made him one of the backbones at Real Madrid.

After signing with Madrid in 2007 at the tender age of 18, the Brazilian international has progressed and has become one of the polarizing figures at the Spanish Capital, not many envisioned his career turning out the way it is now. In addition to Marcelo exceeding his defensive limitations, which has hindered him over the years, he has welcomed the role of being one of the captains.

As for Fabio Coentrao, the former Benfica starlet moved to the Bernabeu in July 2011, but keeps finding himself in the treatment room year after year, which makes Marcelo even more valuable to Madrid.

Coentrao has the skill-set to be a starting left-back at an elite European club, but the 28-year-old has earned few critics for being disinterested at times. But the Portugal international is one of those unique players that excels in big games when motivated to do so. We saw him inspired Madrid to the 2014 Copa del Rey glory, while hampering Lionel Messi play.

Marcelo is the obvious first choice left-back, but don’t be surprised if Coentrao managed to get a few games under his belt once he’s fit.

Before experiencing an injury in the Champions League final, Dani Carvajal had usurped Danilo as the team first-choice right-back. The French manager will utilize both players during the season, but it is Carvajal who Real will depend on in big games because of his defensive qualities and his ability to go forward and look for goals.

Danilo’s first year with the Los Blancos was absolutely a poor one, but the Brazilian still gathered more minutes in all competition and filled in nicely when Carvajal sustained an injury in the Champions League final.

If fit, Carvajal Is the starter but Danilo will encounter a lot of game-time as well.

With the likes of team captain Sergio Ramos, Raphael Verane and Pepe being, you would think the centre-back position was formidable for Madrid. The team struggled finding Ramos the right partnership, which was later fulfilled by Pepe’s great display in the second half of the season.

Zidane will need to form the right partnership between 2 of the 3 with Nacho being the fourth options. This is a position Where Madridistas were agonizingly horrific last campaign and cannot assembled some of the common errors they surfaced last season. It’s vital they get this sorted in the opening stages of the season, as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid all have central defensive partnerships that are cohesive.

Just like any top-flight club in Europe, every trophy matters to Madrid and for team to win more honors, the centre-back position has to be assessed. Sergio Ramos is the skipper and will always be on the teamsheet, but his acumen were reckless: Against Barcelona at Camp Nou last campaign, he earned an unnecessary red card that could have easily affected Real. Los Blancos needs their captain to be consistent and aggressive at the right time in matches.

The team will likely pair Ramos and Pepe to embark the season, but look for changes if the partnership struggles to find form.

Modric has established himself as one of the elite players in the world, so will definitely be in Zidane’s starting Xl bar injuries, but who will challenge Tony Kroos and the resurging Casemiro?

The Croatian play-maker, Mateo Kovacic will look to have a bigger role on the squad, but eclipsing Kroos seems unlikely as the Germany international has had a significant impact since his arrival from Bayern Munich.

James Rodriguez and Isco will most likely be auxiliary, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema both ruled out of the opener against Real Sociedad, the duo may quite possibly get their chance.

Madrid key to success relies on arguably the greatest front three the world has ever seen: Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo. The destructive trio amassed 98 goals in all competitions as they spearheaded Madrid to another Champions League victory.

Furthermore, Alvaro Morata return to his boyhood club means Zidane will insert him at centre forward to find goals while Benzema gets is out with an ongoing hip injury.

Barring any injuries, Ronaldo and Bale will always be on the wing, although Zidane have paired both as forwards at times last season.