A new era under Rafa Benitez has begun without much to talk about for a Real Madrid side that was uncharacteristically quiet this offseason. They began their preseason tour with a 0-0 draw with AS Roma in the International Champions Cup in which they didn’t look particularly strong in any facet of the game.
The match had been hyped in Australia with the local media pointing out that the payroll for Real Madrid’s potential starting lineup matched the total combined amount that Australian Football League players would make for the entire season but Los Blancos didn’t get the same memo. They went through the motions and didn’t really seem to put much stock in to the game.
However, Benitez was happy with his team’s performance. There could be a lot of changes under Benitez and the fans won’t care if the wins come as a result. Here are four of the biggest changes we’re expected to see:
The Move To The 4-2-3-1
There was plenty of talk about how Benitez would adjust the team’s formation based on what he felt was the best way to maximize their talent. The goal was to put them in the best position to win with consistency both in La Liga and in the Champions League. The exhibition against Roma gave fans their first look of the manager’s intentions. Real Madrid played in the 4-2-3-1 formation that Benitez feels allows the club to be sounder defensively while maintaining its creative edge up front.
Time will tell if the switch works out for Real Madrid this season but it’s clear that Benitez isn’t afraid to shake things up with several moves accompanying the formation change. We saw Cristiano Ronaldo and company go through a drop off in production after Christmas last season, so the hope is that this tweak addresses those woes.
Built Around Bale
One of the common themes that showed up in the ICC match was the idea of the offense being built around Gareth Bale in the middle of the field as he started behind the lone striker. He was flanked by Cristiano Ronaldo and Martin Odegaard.
Benitez spoke after the game about how much he loves having Bale in the middle of the field where he can use his creativity and playmaking skills as outlets to the two wingers flanking him and lone striker up front. Bale and the rest of the offense didn’t generate much against Roma but playing him in the middle certainly creates some interesting possibilities for the Madrid attack. They had 118 goals last season, which led La Liga.
A Firmer Role For Ronaldo
Bale’s positioning in the middle of the field also meant a more defined role for the team’s biggest superstar in Ronaldo, who will play on the left side in Benitez’s 4-2-3-1. Ronaldo is still one of the world’s most skilled players but he hasn’t looked as dominant as he did a couple of years ago and Benitez has to feel a more defined role up front could help him focus more on maximizing his productivity.
The young striker Jese started against Roma but that was just because Real Madrid wants to get the 22-year-old some playing time to develop him. The plan for the season is clearly that Bale will start in the middle with Ronaldo on his left, Odegaard on the right and Karim Benzema up front in the lone striker position.
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The Promotion Of Varane
One other notable position change that stood out was the presence of Raphael Varane alongside Sergio Ramos on the back end in a move that Benitez feels will help both players. He’s looking to make the back line more consistent after they finished fifth in goals allowed last season. Benitez talked about pushing the young Frenchman in to a larger role with the club and it’s clear he intends to start Varane as a key part of the team’s new-look back line this season.
