Real Madrid 2014/15 Season Preview

Formations and Tactics

The 4-2-3-1 formation

Carlo Ancelotti could very well play the 4-2-3-1 formation, especially to accommodate the arrival of World Cup 2014 sensation James Rodríguez.

The 23 year old Colombian International, mainly with his with superb ball skills and brilliant shooting abilities, would be comfortable playing as a Trequartista, his best position behind the striker, Benzema. Add the electric pace and skill of Ronaldo and Bale alongside him and Ancelotti has one of the most powerful attacking units.

Karim Benzema should be contented playing as the lone striker in addition to keeping the defenders glued to him thereby creating some space for Bale and Ronaldo to attack the opposition goal mouth.

The 4-2-3-1 formation could feature the back four as Daniel Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Fábio Coentrão.

Toni Kroos and Luka Modri? look good to man the central midfield and provide the extra cover to the defence as and when required.

The 4-2-3-1 formation with a *Trequartista*

The talking point however would be with the left side of Real Madrid. Whilst Gareth Bale, having already played as a left back for his former club Southampton, is likely to track back and provide support on the right side to Carvajal and Kroos; Cristiano Ronaldo is not known to do so, thereby leaving Luka Modri? and Coentrão on the left side working under increased pressure and very less room for error.

The 4-3-3 formation

In the much favored 4-3-3 formation the last four remains unchanged with Daniel Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo.

Sergio Ramos looks likely to team up with the temperamental and aggressive Pepe in the central defence. Daniel Carvajal and Fábio Coentrão would be the proper candidates to man the right back and left back positions respectively.

The midfield trio looks much refined with the newly signed Toni Kroos and James Rodríguez playing alongside Luka Modri?, the Croatian International.

Forming the powerful three man attack should not be a concern for Ancelotti, with the rampaging Ronaldo manning the left flank and drifting infield regularly with his stunning dribbling skills. Gareth Bale would looks likely to play along the right side making the long runs with his electric pace and leaves the French International Karim Benzema as the lone out and out striker and goal scorer.

The talking point however with the 4-3-3 formation would be that of James Rodríguez’s playing position. Although he should be able to play on either the right side or the central midfield, it is apparent that he likes to move up field and create scoring opportunities for himself and fellow attackers. Given the fact that he is not inclined to track back by much, it makes the work for Toni Kroos and Modri? increasingly challenging for not only managing the midfield but also providing the last four with the extra cover as and when needed.

Best Starting XI

With Angel Di Maria’s future in Santiago Bernabeu looking quite uncertain, Luka Modri? stands a very good chance to play alongside Kroos and Rodríguez in the three man midfield; albeit the return of the gritty Xabi Alonso, from suspension, would increase the competition for a place in the midfield.

Additionally with the inclusion of the Colombian International, James Rodríguez, as a member of the Starting XI, Isco finds it hard to find a place in the starting lineup.

On the other hand, Fábio Coentrão looks all set to start the season as the preferred left back overtaking Marcelo for the position, especially after a torrid World Cup campaign for the Brazilian International.

Iker Casillas looks likely to be the preferred goal keeper for all Champions League games whilst the La Liga matches might see Keylor Navas, the highly rated Costa Rican International, protect the Los Blancos goal line.

Best Starting XI: Iker Casillas, Daniel Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Fábio Coentrão, Luka Modri?, James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo

Team History in the League (last 25 years)

Position	Seasons
League Champions	1989–90, 1994–95, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2011–12.
Runners up	1991–92, 1992–93, 1998–99, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13
3rd place	1990-91,2001-02,2013-14
4th place	1993-94,1997-98,2003-04
5th place	1999-2000
6th place	1995-96

Prediction

Sealing the top spot in the La Liga alongside a confirmed berth for Champions League should ideally be the main objective for Carlo Ancelotti’s men. With a fiery front line consisting of Bale, Ronaldo, Rodriguez, Kroos and Benzema, Los Blancos could very well fancy their chances of winning the La Liga title for a record 33rd time; albeit the explosive front line of La Blaugrana with their reportedly new and unpredictable style of play could prove to be a major deterrent for Ancelotti’s men.

As we saw in the UEFA Super Match against Sevilla, the fast wingers proved to be essential in contributing to the success of Real Madrid. Toni Kroos made an early impact for strengthening Real Madrid’s midfield as well.

Having scored more than 100 in the La Liga goals last season, if Real Madrid can reprise their performance in the upcoming 2014/15 season, they stand a very good chance for securing any of the top two positions in the Spanish Primera Division table.

Predicted position: 2nd behind Barcelona

Edited by Staff Editor