Conte: The iron-fisted champion

With the disaster at Camp Nou fresh in the find of Madridistas, a change in the dug-out looks likely to materialise and could lead to a 180 degree twist in the loss of hope and poor result. The club needs a man who can redirect the boat and take command, and it seems that it will be Antonio Conte. The Italian is the most popular option in the offices of the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, though, as usual, he will have strong defenders and fierce critics.

1. Unquestionable winner:

Conte is a winner and wherever he has gone, he has won titles. It's in his DNA throughout his sporting career as a coach. Even with Bari in Serie B in 2009, he won the league, then won promotion to Serie A with Siena in 2011. In Turin in charge of Juventus, he won three Scudettos and two Italian Super Cups, only failing to win the Champions League.

He also took charge of Italy at Euro 2016, where only penalties sent him home in the quarter-finals against Germany in Italy's last tournament appearance. Then moving to Chelsea, he won two titles with a Premier League and an FA Cup. His winning pedigree cannot be questioned.

2. Sergeant with an iron fist:

"Respect is won, not imposed," Sergio Ramos, the current captain of the ship, said, sending out a clear message to the potential new arrival. It would not be the first time that the coach has had clashes in the dressing room in the past, with the likes of Diego Costa and David Luiz at Chelsea. The Brazilian was exiled by the coach towards the end of his stay, but he wasn't the only one that he had issues with. The Italian is more like a Diego Simeone or Jose Mourinho than a Pep Guardiola or a Carlo Ancelotti and his philosophy is based on work and effort, built on firm ideas to bring success.

3. Style based on a three man defence

Ever since his time at Juventus, he has sought to play a 3-5-2, though at Chelsea it changed to a 3-4-3, with Conte always sticking to a three man defence in order to build from the back. It involves a high press in the opposition half with three at the back, which can change to five if the wing-backs drop deep to defend. The four or five in midfield pack out the middle of the pitch and look to create chances and apply pressure when not on the ball.

In attack, the plan can vary, often looking to wide men who can assist their team-mates like Eden Hazard or Pedro, or more purebred wingers like Willian. That is also focused upon a centre-forward in a traditional number nine, whether it is Alvaro Morata, Diego Costa, Graziano Pelle or the signing of Fernando Llorente at Juventus.

4. Specialist in 'recovering' players

Victor Moses is the latest example of a player with little hope in his career only to see that turned around by the system and coaching of Conte. At Juventus, he rejuvenated Carlos Tevez after a spell of stagnation at Manchester City, and he thrived by scoring 51 goals in two seasons.

5. Immediate and maximum performance

If there is something that Conte can guarantee it is immediate results, with his first seasons being successful throughout his career. Not only in terms of results, but also in terms of his teams' playing with effective and attractive qualities. Right from the off at Juventus and Chelsea he has implemented his ideas and style to build aggressive and defensively secure teams within less than a year. Pressing in the opposition half is the final element to effectivity and reliability in his set-up.