Real Madrid didn’t spend a lot of money in this transfer market and they are not acting as the main protagonist this summer. Actually, the club sold very important players –Álvaro Morata, James Rodríguez, Danilo or Mariano Díaz-, but Florentino Pérez didn’t sign his Galáctico yet. The new acquisitions –Marcos Llorente. Theo Hernández, Jesús Vallejo or Dani Ceballos– have a difficult role in the team, at least in the beginning of the season.
The level showed at the end of the last season is having continuity in the first official games in August. Real Madrid won the European Supercup and beat FC Barcelona away with the same players who were able to win the Champions League and La Liga. Zinedine Zidane trusts his footballers and it will be very difficult for the new signings to have minutes in the team.
For instance, Marcos Llorente wasn’t included in the list of the first leg of the Spanish Supercup and he couldn’t even be on the bench at Camp Nou despite Modric’s absence. Both Marcos Llorente and Dani Ceballos started later to train with the team, so they have less opportunities to start also in El Clásico tonight.
Besides, Zidane has confidence in Mateo Kovacic, who played a great game at Camp Nou replacing Luka Modric. The manager flattered the Croatian midfielder in press conference and he was able to cover Leo Messi with succeed. Therefore, Kovacic could be his first option for the midfield, leaving Llorente and Ceballos with less options in the team.
If we speak about the attacking line, obviously, Lucas Vázquez and Marco Asensio are the first choices. Dani Ceballos, who is a playmaker, should be Isco’s or Kross’ substitute, but Zidane can easily change the formation to play with Vázquez or Asensio in the wings.
In the defense line, Marcelo was able to rest during the summer and he is the owner of the left wing. Theo Hernández has to be patient and wait for an opportunity when the Brazilian defender feels the fatigue of the games. The same applies for Jesús Vallejo, who faces great competition with Sergio Ramos, Varane and Nacho. For this reason, right now all four signings have very little opportunities to enjoy many minutes. The team is playing great, so they’ll have to wait on the bench for eventual opportunities.
