The last time Real Madrid entered a La Liga season as defending champions was in 2009. During the last three seasons, they have watched as their hated rivals from Barcelona took the prize time and again.
The big question for Los Merengues is whether they can repeat as champions? Last season they achieved the feat with a healthy lead over second place Barcelona, but this season may however be far more difficult to achieve the status of champions as their rivals will finally be healthy and made a plethora of moves over the summer to improve. Here is a look at Real Madrid prior to the start of the season.
Starting XI
Saint Iker Cassillas is undoubtedly the number one keeper for Real Madrid. No issues or debates or controversies there.
On the backend, Real Madrid will continue keeping Alvaro Arbeloa as the right fullback with Sergio Ramos and Pepe continuing their phenomenal play in the middle of the defense corp. On the other side, Fabio Coentrao could push Marcelo for the starting spot on the left side, but it is likely that the two will trade time until one proves superior.
In the middle Real Madrid is stacked with Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Mesut Ozil, and Angel Di Maria.
Up top they will employ Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
Reserves
The depth in the midfield and up top is unquestionable. Gonzalo Higuain, Lucas, and Kaka are the notable players. Higuain is likely to put up some big numbers and could push Benzema for the starting position up top.
Kaka's position may not be as secure. Rumors that Los Merengues are taking a serious look at Croatia's Luka Modric could spell the end for the Brazilian playmaker. Everything indicates that the Croatian could be with Real before the transfer window closes.
On defense, Real has the likes Ricardo Carvalho would be seen as one of the big gunswaiting in the wings but he may be the piece that brings Modric from Tottenham. The Portuguese defender was left out of the US Tour and may have already seen his last game in a Real Madrid jersey.
Here is a list of the full roster one week before the start of the season:
Keepers:
Casillas
Jesus
T. Mejias
F. Pacheco
Defenders:
R. Albiol
A. Arebeloa
R. Carvahlo
F. Coentrao
Pepe
P. Mendes
Marcelo
Nacho
S. Ramos
Midfielders
X. Alonso
Andy
J. Callejon
A. Di Maria
L. Diarra
R. Drenthe
E. Granero
Kaka
S. Khedira
Lucas
N. Sahin
D. Tcherychev
Alex
M. Ozil
Strikers
K. Benzema
G. Higuain
Jese
O. Piano
C. Ronaldo
General Manager:
J. Mourinho
Potential Breakout Star: Nuhi Sarin. The Turkish star will likely get competition for playtime if Modric joins the squad, but there is no doubt that Mourinho will apply the Bundesliga's 2011 Player of the Season from time to time. He would provide tremendous depth in the middle off the bench as a central midfield playmaker.
Key Player: Cristiano Ronaldo. Mesut Ozil will orchestrate the midfield and will be their major playmaker, but all eyes will be on whether Ronaldo can top his career best 46 goals from last season. Ronaldo had a strong run with the national team in the Euro Cup, so it seems that his level of play will continue to trend upward this season for La Liga. Look for him to flirt with 50 goals if not top them outright.
Predictions: You might as well flip a coin here and see if it lands on the Barcelona side or Madrid side. However, with Barcelona's getting healthy yet again, it is hard to overlook the fact that they look to be a stronger and deeper team than Los Merengues. Look for Barcelona to take first place with Madrid a close second.
Full Schedule:
|
Aug 19 |
1:00 ET |
Santiago Bernabeu |
||||
|
Aug 26 |
11:00 ET |
Coliseum Alfonso Perez |
||||
|
Sep 2 |
4:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
||||
|
Sep 16 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan |
||||
|
Sep 23 |
11:00 ET |
Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas |
||||
|
Sep 30 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
||||
|
Oct 7 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Camp Nou |
||||
|
Oct 21 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
||||
|
Oct 28 |
12:00 ET |
Estadio Son Moix |
||||
|
Nov 4 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
||||
|
Nov 11 |
11:00 ET |
Ciudad de Valencia |
||||
|
Nov 18 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
||||
|
Nov 25 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Manuel Ruiz de Lopera |
||||
|
Dec 2 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
||||
|
Dec 9 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Nuevo José Zorrilla |
La Liga |
|||
|
Dec 16 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
La Liga |
|||
|
Dec 22 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio La Rosaleda |
La Liga |
|||
|
Jan 6 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
La Liga |
|||
|
Jan 13 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio El Sadar |
La Liga |
|||
|
Jan 20 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Mestalla |
La Liga |
|||
|
Jan 27 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
La Liga |
|||
|
Feb 3 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Los Cármenes |
La Liga |
|||
|
Feb 10 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
La Liga |
|||
|
Feb 17 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
La Liga |
|||
|
Feb 24 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Riazor |
La Liga |
|||
|
Mar 3 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
La Liga |
|||
|
Mar 10 |
12:00 ET |
Estadio Balaídos |
La Liga |
|||
|
Mar 17 |
12:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
La Liga |
|||
|
Mar 31 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio La Romareda |
La Liga |
|||
|
Apr 7 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
La Liga |
|||
|
Apr 14 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio San Mamés |
La Liga |
|||
|
Apr 21 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
La Liga |
|||
|
Apr 28 |
11:00 ET |
Vicente Calderon |
La Liga |
|||
|
May 5 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
La Liga |
|||
|
May 12 |
11:00 ET |
Cornellà - El Prat |
La Liga |
|||
|
May 19 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
La Liga |
|||
|
May 29 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Anoeta |
La Liga |
|||
|
Jun 1 |
11:00 ET |
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
La Liga |