Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema AND James Rodriguez! This Bernabeu attack may just prove unstoppable.
Real Madrid take on Sevilla in tonight’s Super Cup final in Cardiff and Carlo Ancelotti may well field the most expensive attack in the history of the game with summer signing James Rodriguez set to make his debut for the Spanish giants.
Ancelotti’s side had little problem making an impact in the final third in 2013/14, netting 160 goals in all competitions, but now the Italian has a fairly unstoppable attack from which to mount a push for domestic and continental glory.
Karim Benzema
Arrived: July 1st 2009
Cost: £32.5m
Appearances: 235
Goals: 111
The French forward had arguably his best season to date last term, scoring 24 goals as well as providing 14 assists, and making the most of the fact that he had a free run at the starting central striking spot following Gonzalo Higuain’s move to Napoli.
There had been plenty of speculation about the former Lyon man’s future but the 26 year old has now signed a new long term contract and sees him tied to the La Liga side until 2019.
Has at times come in for criticism for being one dimensional but is now a more rounded attacking option and a player who has worked well in tandem with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Arrived: July 1st 2009
Cost: £80m
Appearances: 246
Goals: 252
His stats speak for themselves and there is little doubting that the Portuguese international is one of the most stunning talents of his generation. Picked up his second Balon d’Or last term and completed four successive seasons with 50+ goals for Real Madrid.
The £80m forked out for his services was a world record at the time and a sign of his value is the fact that the outlay has proven to be something of a bargain.
29 years of age and with plenty in the tank this super fit attacker could well serve Real Madrid for many years to come and will hope to wrestle back the La Liga title in 2014/15 having picked up that particular accolade in just one of his five seasons at the Bernabeu
Gareth Bale
Arrived: Sep 1st 2013
Cost: £85m
Appearances: 44
Goals: 22
Welsh winger adapted instantly to life in La Liga, which could perhaps suggest that the standard in Spain’s top tier is somewhat lower than the Premier League, and could well lead to Carlo Ancelotti looking to sell Angel di Maria this summer in order to help balance the books.
Left Tottenham whilst in a rich vein of form and seamlessly left a trail of La Liga opponents in his wake, took no time at all to win the Los Blancos faithful and his superb Copa del Rey winner against arch rivals Barcelona will live long in the memory.
Bale will look to kick-on in 2014/15 and who would bet against another season resplendent with goals and assists.
James Rodriguez
Arrived: July 22nd
Cost: £63m
Spent just one season at super rich Ligue 1 side AS Monaco before Real Madrid wrenched him away from the Stade Louis to take his spot as the club’s latest Galatico.
Rodriguez enjoyed a hugely successful three season spell in Portugal with FC Porto before finishing last term as the leading assist maker in France.
His showing at the World Cup sealed Real Madrid’s interest, the Colombian winning the Golden Boot at the finals.
The above tactic graphic displays perhaps the most attack minded formation Ancelotti could opt to field, with the option to bring in a more steely presence in the centre of the park if necessary, Sami Khedira or Asier Illarramendi being two such possible options.
Considering Real Madrid can then call-upon talents such as Isco, Di Maria and Jese if any of their attacking quartet are out injured or off form, one would have to say Ancelotti possesses the kind of strength in depth any side would dream of.
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