Real Madrid’s Best Starting XI 2019/2020

Although Zinedine Zidane had spent over 300 million in the summer, team selection has been a pain for him as it was hard to get a team which can compete at the highest level every single week. Bale has not had a stable relationship with Zidane for a while. James and Isco have not been able to perform at their expected levels due to injury. Vinicius is inexperienced and cannot finish in front of goal to save his life. All these problems create a starting XI conundrum as Zidane doesn’t trust most of these players. His job was on the line and Zidane was piled up with pressure early on after his 3-0 defeat against PSG.

Luckily for Zidane, the starting line-up he set up against Galatasaray in the Champions League could potentially solve his team selection problem. We can take a closer look at Real Madrid’s new best starting XI.

This is the line-up Zidane chose and it instantly raised a few eye brows. Young Brazilian Rodrygo started ahead of many of the senior players in his first ever UCL game. Fede Valverde was used instead of Modric (Injured) and James. Valverde had been on form recently and rightly deserved his spot. Other than that, all expected first team players started. This line-up was soon going to be Zidane’s ‘Get out of jail free card’ as this team would go on to win 0-1 against Galatasary (Away), 5-0 against Leganes (Home) and 6-0 against Galatasaray (Home). But what makes this team so good? Let’s Break it down.

Solidity in defence:

Carvajal, Ramos, Varane and Marcelo have all upped their defensive game this season and look ever so sharp. Courtois has been regaining confidence and has established himself as the permanent ‘No.1’ for Real Madrid. Although Mendy is defensively better than Marcelo, he just does not have the end product as the Brazilian. Marcelo’s crossing has been world class and reminds us of his previous seasons where he would deliver crosses on a plate for Ronaldo to score from.

Varane has been defensively stronger than last season. His decision making, one-ones and Arial ability have improved drastically. This is the Varane we knew stepped onto the Bernabeu pitch in 2011. Ramos as always has been the leader he is and provides that cohesion between each defender. Carvajal has been an incredible asset as well. He has netted 4 assists in the league and a further few in the Champions League. Overall this Real defence looks like one of the best in Europe right now.

Functionality in midfield:

Casemiro (For a number of seasons) has been indispensible for Real as he provides so much defensive cover for the attacking fullbacks and center-backs. Toni Kroos has silenced his doubters and is performing better than in any of his previous seasons before at Real Madrid. A precise passer who loves a shot, Kroos provides a rhythmic tempo in the midfield.

Fede Valverde; Ah Fede! It takes some player to bench James, Modric and Isco and Valverde is that player. An engine who can probably outrun Mo Farah, Fede provides an attacking drive and superb tracking back qualities to break up opposition attacks. He is essentially Real Madrid’s Kante. It might seem like an outrageous comparison, but trust me; Madristas know how special this guy is.

The perfect balance between ying and yang exists in this midfield; something that just doesn’t click with the Kroos-Casemiro-Modric midfield anymore. Although this may not be the team’s permanent midfield for the years to come, it can definitely take this team to many highs this season.

Flair in attack:

Probably the most exciting part about this line-up comes in the front line of Hazard, Benzema and Rodrygo. This front line ticks all the boxes for an exciting but mature attack. Hazard is just Hazard. Although many people were quick to label him a ‘flop’ after his slow start, he is slowly showing his true worth. Hazard has everything in his game except for goals so far. But that will eventually come as he had a proven goal scoring record at Chelsea. The ‘full sleeve’ Hazard is really the best form of Eden Hazard!

Eden Hazard in action against Eibar

Ever since his finger fracture last seaon, Benzema has been firing on all cylinders and has established himself as one of Europe’s finest goal-scorers along the likes of Lewandowski, Messi and Mbappe. It’s not just the 30 league goals (since 2018/2019) that makes him special. His link up play connecting the midfield and attack makes him one of a kind of a striker. He is truly an all-time great.

Rodrygo is the right-winger in this team. Although predominantly right-footed, Rodrygo can comfortably play on either flank; unlike Vinicius who struggles on the right side. His decision making for a teenager makes him a good team player. He rarely takes on his man, but when he does, he usually creates something. This kind of patience and simplicity cannot be seen in many teenagers today in football. Most of them want to impress the crowd and their teammates by skilling or dribbling around in circles. Rodrygo is also a very good finisher. He just needed 3 shots to score his perfect Hat trick against Galatasaray. He is the 2^nd current top-scorer in the team (Behind Benzema) and looks like a legit prospect. He will surely get more game time as Zidane clearly rates him over many other players in the squad.

Real Madrid have a lot of pressure to win trophies this season (Especially La liga) and need a definitive starting line-up to step up in important matches. This XI has all the qualities to challenge the best teams in Europe right now. A few players like Hazard are yet to hit their peak, so there is only way for this team and that is up.