Real Madrid's team photo hasn't changed much. Familiar faces like Marcelo, Raphael Varane, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Keylor Navas, Lucas Vazquez, Isco and Karim Benzema still appear, and even Gareth Bale is still around.
This summer hasn't quite seen the revolution that was expected, despite the arrivals, and the old guard of players have resisted the change Zinedine Zidane is keen to implement.
Those who featured against Arsenal staked their claims to start the season in the starting XI.
Between the posts Thibaut Courtois will displace Keylor Navas once the competitive action is underway, but the Costa Rican has performed excellently. When it seemed certain that he'd leave this summer, he's battling harder than ever in his most inconvenient situation yet.
Marcelo probably best represents the old guard's fight though, and he showed his ability against Arsenal. A poor campaign in 2018/19 saw Ferland Mendy signed but the Brazilian is determined to earn his place in the team.
Kroos and Modric's spots in midfield are probably the most examined in the team, particularly with Zidane clear in his desire of wanting Paul Pogba to arrive. But the pair have started the first couple of matches well and the coach deserves credit for knowing how to make them work.
Lucas Vazquez didn't shine quite as brightly as the others, but Zidane appears relatively happy to have him around, even putting him in the team ahead of Vinicius Junior, Takefusa Kubo and Rodrygo Goes.
And what can be said about Benzema? Two strikers started against the Londoners but Nacho's dismissal saw one removed and, obviously, it was Luka Jovic who was sacrificed. Even though Zidane knows Benzema well and could have used the game to get a better idea of the Serbian, he trusted his compatriot to see the game out.
So, the old guard remain and resist. A number of signings have arrived but only Eden Hazard has a starting position assured. The famous names, the four-time Champions League-winning players, they still have a battle on their hands.
wubceiorsz
0
With the old guards still the preferred choice from Zidane, we expect a worse performance than last year. Zidane must go.
woybeops
0
Eny3 easy for zidane
Zamacou
0
why would zidane be harsh only on some players and protect some at any cost....?? Lucas Vasquez time at real madrid is over. you say he is hard worker and fill in any spot. but we have many players at our disposal but if zidane sticks with him and letting bale and James go would be really awful.... Next nacho. I don't know if he can trust him for big matches if someone gets injured. his is aging and not improving. only qualification for him to be squad is he's been in the club for more than 20 years. madridismo runs through his veins. he helped the team in many occasions. benzema, I don't know which benzema we are going to see this season the last season's or the previous of that. if zidane is going to stick with him then we are fu*cked. giving Luca jovic chance would be wise option . same goes with Marcelo. if he cannot defend well,he should be benched and Mendy should be played in big games. modric and kroos should stay fit and play in their peaks in order to remain in the team. casemiro, we don't have a replacement for him. we are f*cked if he plays like last two seasons. we are dumb enough to let llorente go even he played better than casemiro that too for our rival team. if pogba comes things should be interesting. I think even zidane doesn't know which system to use and which midfield to use. I don't think vinicius can be trusted in RW. he should be used as a substitute in the LW to eden hazard. James would be better option on RW. I don't know why zidane hates him. his numbers are better than any of our midfielders. brahim can be a backup option in the RW if he stays in the team. rodrygo and kubo are not yet ready physically for the first team but they are really good at final product and decision making. it takes time for them to integrate into the first team. valvarde can be used in the mix. he is good in the double pivot midfield. so it depends on zidane how to use him.
thanks bro. I try asking that Same question because will his downfall at Madrid..
Zamacou
3
old wine in new bottles...! your please sell benzema ahhhhhh
kiueimrt
1
BEST 3 TEAM
Merzamyself100
0
[image]
Ceballos already gone,,and militao isn't rb
IrWhere
4
we are doom if zizou still choose benzema as first choice forward next season.. we need mbappe who can guarantee give us a tons of goal
Medinry
2
TheNJB
0
Isco, Marcelo, Keylor, Bale, Modric, Vázquez, Nacho ... all of them should leave Madrid for different circumstances, and substitute level cards. Example Salah By Bale and Vázquez, Ericksen by Modric, Pogba by Isco and Koulibary by Nacho and Marcelo.
I think Isco should stay because he's our best midfielder, Kroos Modrić and Casemiro have been leading a poor midfield for 2 years and they seem untouchable so I'm confused
TheNJB
1
Madrid doesn't change the team and they expect something different from the previous seasons smh we need the whole club system to change not just Perez's words
ChrisDKing
1
[Sadtolook]Benzema should be on the bench smh. Zidane is making a lot of stupid decisions. Benzema has done nothing in both matches a d should have been taken off instead of Jovic. We all know what Benzema can do and that is miss open chances so why take out your new signing,you didn't even give the man a chance
Chelasani
5
why would zidane be harsh only on some players and protect some at any cost....?? Lucas Vasquez time at real madrid is over. you say he is hard worker and fill in any spot. but we have many players at our disposal but if zidane sticks with him and letting bale and James go would be really awful.... Next nacho. I don't know if he can trust him for big matches if someone gets injured. his is aging and not improving. only qualification for him to be squad is he's been in the club for more than 20 years. madridismo runs through his veins. he helped the team in many occasions. benzema, I don't know which benzema we are going to see this season the last season's or the previous of that. if zidane is going to stick with him then we are fu*cked. giving Luca jovic chance would be wise option . same goes with Marcelo. if he cannot defend well,he should be benched and Mendy should be played in big games. modric and kroos should stay fit and play in their peaks in order to remain in the team. casemiro, we don't have a replacement for him. we are f*cked if he plays like last two seasons. we are dumb enough to let llorente go even he played better than casemiro that too for our rival team. if pogba comes things should be interesting. I think even zidane doesn't know which system to use and which midfield to use. I don't think vinicius can be trusted in RW. he should be used as a substitute in the LW to eden hazard. James would be better option on RW. I don't know why zidane hates him. his numbers are better than any of our midfielders. brahim can be a backup option in the RW if he stays in the team. rodrygo and kubo are not yet ready physically for the first team but they are really good at final product and decision making. it takes time for them to integrate into the first team. valvarde can be used in the mix. he is good in the double pivot midfield. so it depends on zidane how to use him.
Alaindelon
2
Madrid needs to change the skin to compete with the greats, the Nacho, Lukitas, Bale have to leave and replaced by top players, there is no place for the medians and those who do not have a commitment like Bale .. MADRID has to be renewed to survive
moon09
2
I do not like Ami Benzema, I would have signed aubameyan 3 years ago, it is what ay, kroos out, bale out, modric depends xq is already old and if nobody pays you can always leave it in the template etc etc, or pogba and other comes Mane style or we carry it clear, it is more carvajal looks like a freight train.
KAHN001
1
Madrid needs to change the skin to compete with the greats, the Nacho, Lukitas, Bale have to leave and replaced by top players, there is no place for the medians and those who do not have a commitment like Bale .. MADRID has to be renewed to survive
koreanjust
1
Isco, Marcelo, Keylor, Bale, Modric, Vázquez, Nacho ... all of them should leave Madrid for different circumstances, and substitute level cards. Example Salah By Bale and Vázquez, Ericksen by Modric, Pogba by Isco and Koulibary by Nacho and Marcelo.
Lucass
0
Another year of disappointments. If last year this same team made a fool of themselves, the same players with one more year can already know what they will bring. Zidane with Benzema is the highest prevalence ever in Madrid. They sign a center forward and not let him play 15 minutes. Once again when Benzema left the field Madrid went back.
Spiketues
0
Time will tell, 2 preseason games give few conclusions, but I think the signings will have minutes to "renew" the old guard, Odriozola, Mendy, Militao, Hazard, Vinicius and Jovic will have minutes safe, and there are others that remains to be seen, Brahim, Rodrygo, Kubo, ... What can not be expected is that from minute 1 they are already integrated 100%.
tantrum
0
Another year of disappointments. If last year this same team made a fool of themselves, the same players with one more year can already know what they will bring. Zidane with Benzema is the highest prevalence ever in Madrid. They sign a center forward and not let him play 15 minutes. Once again when Benzema left the field Madrid went back.
basalive
0
Time will tell, 2 preseason games give few conclusions, but I think the signings will have minutes to "renew" the old guard, Odriozola, Mendy, Militao, Hazard, Vinicius and Jovic will have minutes safe, and there are others that remains to be seen, Brahim, Rodrygo, Kubo, ... What can not be expected is that from minute 1 they are already integrated 100%.
Tmac01
0
Another year of disappointments. If last year this same team made a fool of themselves, the same players with one more year can already know what they will bring. Zidane with Benzema is the highest prevalence ever in Madrid. They sign a center forward and not let him play 15 minutes. Once again when Benzema left the field Madrid went back.
Kingkley
0
Time will tell, 2 preseason games give few conclusions, but I think the signings will have minutes to "renew" the old guard, Odriozola, Mendy, Militao, Hazard, Vinicius and Jovic will have minutes safe, and there are others that remains to be seen, Brahim, Rodrygo, Kubo, ... What can not be expected is that from minute 1 they are already integrated 100%.
easyde
0
Again with Lucas Vazquez, Isco, Marcelo, Casemiro, Modric ... How much illusion please!
tellmey
0
The best that Madrid has done so far, apart from bringing Hazard was to sign Take, but I'm afraid there are no flats to put him ahead of the sacred cows ...!
Dianaa
0
So we will go then ... At Christmas to 13 points and in March outside the Champions League. But hey Zizu will have played with his friends. ZZ DIMISION !!! I think that after the disastrous last season many do not deserve the 2nd or even 3rd chance ... And I don't understand that Lucas Vázquez is in Real Madrid .... Eibar level team player.
Madridlove
0
Zidane with the usual Hazard, no matter how good it is, does not eat nougat, and that could be the best news.
Eastwood
1
Varane is still lazy loose, in the first or second goal of Arsenal now I do not remember well, which eats the pass that leaves only the rival forward, is slow to the crosses.
pompousz
0
The geriatric of the Castilian. That's why the roof. The elderly are delicate and air currents affect them
NBA22
0
As a couple of teams are intoned, they don't ride or Champions this year
abofeuy
0
Come on, Sergio Ramos keeps doing the lineups ...
opposite
0
It's scary Madrid ... Benzema minimum will score 30 goals how every year ..
Kennethlie
0
Zidane is wrong in his preference for Lucas Vazquez putting Vinicios, Kubo or Rodrigo ahead, Lucas Vazquez is a striker who does not score goals and does not have the level for a team like Madrid and thus has a few more. We go back to last year and I hope that Santa Zidane of the team will be told before and a level coach comes and not a maniac like Zinedine.
Haseesex
0
We need Neymar urgently. Hazard has disappointed me. Zidane out, Mourinho relief.
smartjuo
0
I think I speak on behalf of all Real Madrid players when I say that it is disappointing me, so we are not going anywhere.
introduc
0
This does not excite me at all, or we make a couple of signings more like little or another bad year
UARTdong
0
I think I speak on behalf of all Real Madrid players when I say that it is disappointing me, so we are not going anywhere.
basically
0
Marcelo and Varane see some improvement .. Kroos and Isco were more bad than good in some sections, and Lucas is on file X, I do not know what he paints in Madrid, yet anything that was not ridiculous was improve, the management of Zidane so far is still very bad that you want to sell otherwise
pompou
0
From the much vaunted REVOLUTION we have passed to the real INVOLUTION ... and there are still some who make films that are not even believed.
actually
0
Revolution JAJAJAAJAJAJAJAJA !!! I see more revolution in Barça and that won the League over, semifinalist in the Champions League and finalist in the Cup. Well we will see if in the end comes Pogba, who looks at least difficult.
Austinbob
0
Zidane as Del Bosque, to die with the old guard. They sold us the Zidane revolution and we have the continuity and gratitude to them who walked through the fields during the last season. Zidane returns with his whims to align the players, not for quality or performance, and with his hobbies and preferences. The new season of Madrid doesn't smell good to me. I wish I was wrong.
kamaai
0
With Marcelo in the field in March they will be on vacation again !!! I do not stop where the author looked, I saw the highway on the left side of the defense I saw the same as last year ..... the same thing that I saw that the relay to Marcelo when it goes up does not work, they are the same, the same, the same ......... at the time
Derrick552
0
Given that in two years Barca has only scored 40 points in the League ... seen the ridiculous of last season and the abandonment of many functions ... the "logical" was to trust the old guard. It smells bad, really
Loulesis
0
We all know how this ends. In December, 9 points behind the leader, eliminated in the Cup and praying for the Champions League. Whoever thinks that Kroos, Modric, Lucas ... They will perform at the level or that they will hit Vinicius, Valverde or Brahim, dreams. Zidane won 3 Champions with three up and a striker on the bench. This year he wants to play with Benzema above and Jovic on the bench. We lack goals to handfuls.
namelesse
0
We are a phuto joke, another year that we will make a fool of ourselves ...
moonlights
0
Zidane as Del Bosque, to die with the old guard. They sold us the Zidane revolution and we have the continuity and gratitude to them who walked through the fields during the last season. Zidane returns with his whims to align the players, not for quality or performance, and with his hobbies and preferences. The new season of Madrid doesn't smell good to me. I wish I was wrong.
Ballballman
0
With Marcelo in the field in March they will be on vacation again !!! I do not stop where the author looked, I saw the highway on the left side of the defense I saw the same as last year ..... the same thing that I saw that the relay to Marcelo when it goes up does not work, they are the same, the same, the same ......... at the time
eyebrow
0
Given that in two years Barca has only scored 40 points in the League ... seen the ridiculous of last season and the abandonment of many functions ... the "logical" was to trust the old guard. It smells bad, really
moratorium
0
We all know how this ends. In December, 9 points behind the leader, eliminated in the Cup and praying for the Champions League. Whoever thinks that Kroos, Modric, Lucas ... They will perform at the level or that they will hit Vinicius, Valverde or Brahim, dreams. Zidane won 3 Champions with three up and a striker on the bench. This year he wants to play with Benzema above and Jovic on the bench. We lack goals to handfuls.
Schluppe
1
Given that in two years Barca has only scored 40 points in the League ... seen the ridiculous of last season and the abandonment of many functions ... the "logical" was to trust the old guard. It smells bad, really
yinwowo
0
They claim because young people have not been given a ball. By the way, they could already have been claimed throughout the past year. NOT WHICH