• 2016/17 La Liga preview:
Atletico Madrid | Barcelona | The rest | 5 players to watch
European champions Real Madrid have yet to sign a superstar galactico in the close season.
Zinedine Zidane’s side, who also lifted the European Super Cup last week by defeating Sevilla, welcomed back Alvaro Morata from Juventus, plus Marco Asensio who was on loan at Espanyol last term.
Both were presented this week, but to crowds of 3,000 rather than the 60,000 who greeted past superstar signings. They put on a brave face after losing out on Paul Pogba.
The inactivity is surprising given Madrid may face a transfer ban, but the talk is of more departures than arrivals, with James Rodriguez or Isco likely to leave if Madrid receive a huge offer from an English side.
President Florentino Perez likes a late August move in the transfer market and, given that most big clubs have already concluded their business, the stage will be theirs for the attention they crave.
Madrid’s strongest XI is likely to be a 4-3-3 of Keylor Navas in goal, Danilo at right-back, Sergio Ramos and Pepe in central defence and Marcelo at left-back. Casemiro rose to prominence as the holding midfielder under Zidane after being overlooked by Rafa Benitez.
Toni Kroos and Luca Modric should start as the more attacking midfielders, with another famed front three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema. Lucas Vazquez is also likely to feature frequently, with Rodriguez and Isco out of the best XI. There is more defensive cover with Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane and the returning Fabio Coentrao.
Jese Rodriguez has been the biggest name to depart, while Alvaro Arbeloa and Denis Cheryshev have also gone, and there remain health concerns surrounding Lucas Silva.
Madrid have won the Primera Liga only once in the past eight years. Like Barca, only a league or European title will be considered a success, though December’s Club World Cup will give Madrid a chance to call themselves world champions for the second time in three years.
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
