2018/19 Season Preview: Real Madrid | OneFootball

Real Madrid embark into a season of the unknown without Cristiano Ronaldo.

How much will they miss his influence? Can anyone step up? And can they wrestle the LaLiga title from Barcelona while dominating Europe still?

And is there Super Cup defeat by Atletico at all telling?

Here we run the rule over Los Blancos ahead of the new campaign.

What has changed since last season?

Well, Real’s all-time top goalscorer left the Bernabéu after nine years with the club so it’s fair to say it’s been a fairly seismic summer.

Doubts still remain over the future of Luka Modric and so Madrid could have a huge season coming up without two of their main men.

Oh, and they also have a new manager in former Spain coach Julen Lopetegui, so there are lots of factors at play which could define their season. It will be interesting to see how the campaign unfolds.

How have they done in the transfer market?

Up to now, Modric remains a Madrid player so, at the time of writing, they have done well.

The signing of Thibaut Courtois was an excellent move to improve their goalkeeper position while the signing of stopper Andriy Lunin is one for the future.

The arrival of right-back Álvaro Odriozola from Real Sociedad adds quality and depth to the squad but the €46M capture of Brazilian youngster Vinícius Júnior is the most exciting. More on him later.

Before the window closes, they will likely look to sign a big-name midfielder after Mateo Kovacic joined Chelsea on loan (and to offset any possible Modric move!)

Who will be their key man?

Gareth Bale.

The Welsh wizard has proved time and again he is a man capable of delivering when it matters most and showed it once more on the main stage as he scored a stunning overhead-kick as Real clinched last season’s Champions League.

He comes alive at the vital times and is a true talisman.

Sergio Ramos’ role as leader will grow in the absence of Ronaldo and he will be vital at spurring the team on through a testing ten months while Toni Kroos is also an important figure.

Who will be their top scorer?

Bale should shine and plough home tonnes of goals as he attempts to fill Ronaldo’s boots. He will have to step up and shoulder most of the goal burden.

More will be expected of Karim Benzema when it comes to finding the back of the net. The Frenchman scored just five times in 32 LaLiga appearances last term.

Are there any young players we should be keeping an eye on?

Vinícius Júnior, of course.

The 18-year-old arrives in the Spanish capital with a big reputation having been signed for a huge price for one so young.

Boasting unbelievable skill, pace and speed of thought, the forward combines exceptional dribbling with direct running.

Scoring seven goals for Flamengo in his homeland last season, it has been suggested he will feature in the first-team.

What will Julen Lopetegui’s biggest challenge be?

As with every Madrid manager that has gone before him, Lopetegui’s biggest challenge will be living up to Real’s giant expectations and dealing with the big egos in the dressing room.

There’s also the small issue of ensuring the team performs without Cristiano Ronaldo.

Can you show me their home and away jersey and give it a marking out of 10?

Home strip: 7/10 Away kit: 8/10

What does Real Madrid’s best XI look like?

And finally, where will Real Madrid finish in Laliga?

Obviously, certainly, definitely the top three. But, writing after their Super Cup defeat by rivals Atleitco, let’s say second.