90min

The Real Madrid Lineup That Should Start Against Real Valladolid

By Grey Whitebloom

Zinedine Zidane is yet to settle upon a system in these early stages of the season
Zinedine Zidane is yet to settle upon a system in these early stages of the season / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
facebooktwitterreddit

Real Madrid's defence of their La Liga title continues against Real Valladolid on Wednesday evening in their first home match of the new season.

Zinedine Zidane often peppers his starting XI with a surprise or two and the legendary Frenchman has followed suit in the nascent stages of the new campaign. After deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation against Real Sociedad in Madrid's delayed season opener, Zidane granted Luka Jovic a rare start on Saturday against Real Betis, up front alongside Karim Benzema.

Luka Jovic and Karim Benzema both started against Real Betis as Zidane opted for a two-striker formation
Luka Jovic and Karim Benzema both started against Real Betis as Zidane opted for a two-striker formation / JORGE GUERRERO/Getty Images

With the eye-watering salaries of James Rodríguez and Gareth Bale off the wage bill, Zidane has carried over that hint of unpredictability to his substitutions, handing debuts to academy graduates Marvin Park and Sergio Arribas in the opening weeks.

Despite Real Madrid's uncharacteristically inactive transfer window, Zidane still has a wealth of talent to choose from and has no qualms with picking any member of the squad at his disposal.

1. Goalkeepers & Defenders

Thibaut Courtois kept a league-high 18 clean sheets in La Liga last season
Thibaut Courtois kept a league-high 18 clean sheets in La Liga last season / DeFodi Images/Getty Images

Thibaut Courtois (GK) - Last season, the far-reaching Belgian became the first Madrid keeper to claim the Zamora Trophy since the legendary Iker Casillas in 2008. Courtois boasted the highest save percentage among regular starters in the division and already has one clean sheet from their opening two games.

Dani Carvajal (RB) - The ever-reliable Carvajal has convinced Zidane and Madrid of his relentless quality to such an extent that the club were prepared to sell the prodigious talent of Achraf Hakimi to Inter this summer.

Raphaël Varane (CB) - Madrid's last outing of the 2019/20 campaign was the scene of an incredibly rare sight - a Varane error. Manchester City were the beneficiaries of two such irregularities as Madrid bowed out of the Champions League. However, the imposing Frenchman has shown little sign of these errors impacting him in the embryonic stages this season.

Sergio Ramos (CB) - As the game entered its final ten minutes, with the score at 2-2, Real Betis conceded a penalty in Saturday's match. Up stepped Ramos to not only convert the spot kick, but do so with an impudent dink as he continues to embrace and thrive with the added responsibility of goal-getter since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure.

Ferland Mendy (LB) - Even if Marcelo was not a doubt for Wednesday's contest, Ferland Mendy's tireless surges up and down the left flank have all but cemented his place in Zidane's first choice defence.

2. Midfielders

Casemiro made more tackles than any other player in La Liga last season
Casemiro made more tackles than any other player in La Liga last season / Fran Santiago/Getty Images

Federico Valverde (CM) - If one word could come close to describing the enthralling game of Fede Valverde, it would be dynamic. The Uruguayan's bottomless energy reserves allow him to cover absurd swathes of grass each match.

Casemiro (CM) - Despite playing more minutes than any other Madrid man last season, the side's defensive lynchpin was left on the bench for their La Liga opener. However, Casemiro was swiftly reinstalled to the starting XI last time out, a spot he is unlikely to relinquish too often in the foreseeable future.

Luka Modric (CM) - With Toni Kroos sidelined, Modric - despite turning 35 in September - remains a key part of Zidane's plans and should slot seamlessly into a familiar midfield trio.

3. Forwards

Karim Benzema either scored or assisted 41% of Madrid La Liga goals in 2019/20
Karim Benzema either scored or assisted 41% of Madrid La Liga goals in 2019/20 / Fran Santiago/Getty Images

Rodrygo (RW) - The Brazilian teenager only started 16 games across all competitions last season but still finished as the side's third-top scorer with seven goals (and only second to Karim Benzema if penalties are excluded). With another year of experience in La Liga, the potent wide man should be granted even more opportunities in the current campaign.

Karim Benzema (ST) - Over the past two seasons there have been few Real Madrid matches without a goal or assist from Benzema, let alone a game the French number nine didn't start. After netting 42 league goals across the previous two campaigns, the newly prolific Frenchman is yet to find the net so far.

Vinícius Júnior (LW) - Still only 20 years of age, Vinícius has two seasons of Spanish top flight football under his belt. While his decision making can still veer towards infuriating, the jet-heeled Brazilian has clearly made steps to improve this facet of his game and has noticeably benefited from the conscientious hiring of a personal trainer.