In the words of new manager JulenLopetegui, Real Madrid are ‘obliged to win everything’.
Lopetegui is certainly right there.
The first main challenge for the former Spain coach – after a turbulent summer–is trying to match what his predecessor Zinedine Zidane has just delivered.
During a two and a half year spell in the hot seat, Zidane guided the club to a La Liga crown and, crucially, the trophy the club craves most of all.
Three successive Champions League titles mean Lopetegui has an unenviable job just to match, let alone better, what has gone immediately before.
Key Strengths
From virtually the moment they had made history, the tide dramatically turned with Zidane announcing he was stepping down and then star man Cristiano Ronaldo swiftly following.
In fact, as the start of the 2018/19 La Liga awaits the players he left behind, Ronaldo has wasted no time in making an instant impact for his new employers.
The departure of the world’s greatest player is naturally a loss but, given Real’s resources and the fact Ronaldo will be 34 next birthday, the strength of the squad Lopetegui has inherited is clear.
This week’s European Super clash against city rivals Atletico will be the first major test followed by the task of trying to reclaim top spot and domestic supremacy.
The signing of Belgium number one Thibaut Courtois is an undoubted strength after they were unable to lure their number one target, David de Gea, from Manchester United.
In skipper Sergio Ramos, World Cup winner Raphael Varane, Brazilian Marcelo they have proven talent at the top level in defence, whereas their midfield of Luka Modric (fresh from signing a new deal and being named the best player at Russia 2018), Toni Kroos and Isco – to name just three – needs no introduction.
It also looks like Casemiro and Marco Asensio will have bigger roles to play than ever before.
Likewise, in attack, Karim Benzema will have a point to prove after he missed France’s World Cup triumph, while this could be the season Gareth Bale comes out of Ronaldo’s shadow after playing, albeit a very successful, number two for so long.
The La Liga 2018 betting odds make Real second favourites behind reigning champions Barcelona but…
Major Weaknesses and Concerns
…whereas Barca and Atletico have clearly strengthened during the summer, it’s questionable if Real have enough.
An injury to a key defender will certainly leave them thin on the ground, whereas in attack the loss of Ronaldo – a year after Alvaro Morata departed – is a gap which is yet to be filled.
Remember, Morata played an important role last year (2017) when Real won a La Liga and Champions League double.
Last season, that strength in reserve wasn’t there and they had to settle for third spot, a clear 17 points behind the Catalans.
Granted, bragging rights were swiftly restored with another Champions League triumph, but despite the talent, there is a lack of depth right now in certain areas and Real have just over two weeks before the transfer window closes.
Former Flamengo prodigy Vinicius Junior will need time to settle, and Martin Odegaard and Fabio Coentrao may well need to hit the ground running as they return from their respective loans to Heerenveen and Sporting CP.
Certainly, there was enough confidence in the ranks to allow Mateo Kovacic join Chelsea on loan.
Sbobet fans will rarely rule out Madrid but have they strengthened sufficiently to take on and defeat both Barca and Atletico?
Key Players to Watch
La Liga 2018 news suggests it’s time for double B at the Bernabeu.
Benzema and Bale remain class acts and Ronaldo’s exit will put even more focus on them to share the attacking burden.
They are certainly up to the task and may even feel more liberated now their great leader has departed.
Fearless Forecast
Los Blancos have looked sharp in pre-season when the new coach seems to have built his attack around Bale.
Indeed, the Welshman, who moved to Spain from Spurs in 2013, has even been tipped as a possible candidate to succeed Ramos as captain in the not too distant future.
But Madrid will need to avoid injuries to key players like Bale if they are to push again for the title.
On their day they probably have the edge on Barcelona but over the course of the season they may lack the depth.
However, should they secure another big name between now and the end of August – Eden Hazard, Christian Eriksen, Neymar and Robert Lewandowski have all been linked (however accurately remains to be seen) –that could be enough to move them into first place.
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