Real Madrid's predicted starting XI for the 2018/19 season

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Dani Carvajal

An unsung hero of Real Madrid

Real Madrid's new acquisition, Alvaro Odriozola, will definitely provide healthy competition for Carvajal to stamp his authority as the first choice for the right-back berth, but he is expected to play as second fiddle to the Spaniard at least when the season starts.

Carvajal is one of the unsung heroes of Real Madrid whose invaluable contributions largely go unacknowledged. Nevertheless, his absence was immensely felt at Los Blancos when he was ruled out of action owing to a viral pericardium infection.

During that period, Real Madrid had to integrate the inexpert Achraf Hakimi into the side, whose inexperience adversely affected Real Madrid.

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Marcelo

The Real Madrid faithful

Following Cristiano Ronaldo's departure, Marcelo had been linked with a move away from Real Madrid, but it is highly unlikely that the Brazilian will put his 12-year spell at Real Madrid just for the sake of a friendship.

All the same, the rumours fizzled out just days after Ronaldo's transfer took place and the 30-year-old will be present at Santiago Bernabeu next season in all likelihood. And is another defensive mainstay whose position is a dead certainty thanks to Theo Hernandez's inconsistent form in the storied white kit.