Real Madrid
Thirteenth European Cup is the aim
Will anyone match Zidane’s trophy haul as a coach?
August’s Spanish Super Cup victory over Barcelona means Real have won all seven of the trophies they have competed for since Zinedine Zidane’s appointment: two Champions Leagues, two European Super Cups, the Club World Cup, a Spanish Liga title and the Spanish Super Cup.
Can Marco Asensio breakthrough?
The 21-year-old’s sensational goal in the Super Cup against Barca announced the arrival of a potential new superstar, and one who cost just a few million from Mallorca – in contrast to the millions being spent by PSG and Barcelona.
Will Madrid ever have a better chance to win a record 13th European Cup?
Madrid are so far ahead of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in their domestic rivalry that they are unlikely to be distracted from their quest for European success. New signings Dani Ceballos (Real Betis) and Theo Hernandez (Atletico Madrid) have been added to a squad that can comfortably claim to be the world’s best, even though they withdrew from a bidding race for Kylian Mbappe.
TACTICS
Squad rotation has been the key to Zidane’s success in his brief time as a coach, with the Frenchman managing to keep all of his players happy so far. Cristiano Ronaldo will inevitably be rested at times, leaving opportunities for the likes of Isco and Asensio, either as one of the front three or as the attacking midfielder in a 4-3-1-2. There should also be opportunities for Spain under-21 midfielder Ceballos and left-back Hernandez. A potential weakness could be central defence where the departure of Pepe, Raphael Varane’s injuries and Sergio Ramos’ penchant for red cards could leave them short. Casemiro has played there but he is far more effective in central midfield.