The big fear: That the transfer ban will hinder their ability to win the treble.
Lost amongst the frenetic pace of the summer transfer window was a bit of bad news: Madrid had lost their appeal of a two transfer window ban. The club will be unable to make any signings, barring they win an appeal with the Court of Arbitration and Sport, until 2018. Although Real were not the only club to be hit (Atletico were given a similar ban) it certainly poses a problem for the club and their aspirations to win the treble.
More from Playing for 90
- Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
- Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
- Barcelona put five past Real Betis
- Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
- Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory
On one hand this really is not that big of a deal. There are very few sides with the depth that Madrid has. It is a club that could probably run out their second or third tier squad and still beat most sides in Spain and in Europe. Aside from maybe Barcelona there is perhaps no side with more world-class players on their entire roster than Madrid.
But for a club that is looking to win not just the Champions League but also La Liga and the Copa del Ray it is going to be a real test to their roster and Zidane. Considering also that the club will be participating in the FIFA Club World Cup and that their players will be participating in various international matches and tournaments during the season (World Cup Qualification, African Cup of Nations, and Copa Centroamericana) that is an awful lot of matches for a side that will receive no reinforcements.
If there is any club that can overcome this bump it is Madrid. It will be interesting to see how Zidane manages minutes and injuries during a very difficult season.