In recent years, Real Madrid is famous for the fact that it rarely updates its squad, but aptly. In part, this is good, since the team is forming a well-played backbone. Next to experienced main players like Dani Carvajal (30), Luka Modric (36) or Karim Benzema (34), young talents like Eder Militao (24), Federico Valverde (24) are gradually developing and bringing results. and Vinicius Junior (22).
The main loss of Real Madrid in the summer transfer window is the departure of the 30-year-old Brazilian defensive midfielder Casemiro to Manchester United for 70.65 million euros (hereinafter – Transfermarkt data). In his position, Real Madrid bought 22-year-old Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco for 80 million euros.
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Results at the beginning of the season
The reigning champions of Spain started their title defense confidently in the championship with four wins in four matches, albeit with not the strongest opponents.
In the match for the UEFA Super Cup, Real Madrid casually coped with the sensational winner of the Europa League, Eintracht. Two goals flew into the gates of the German team – from David Alaba and Karim Benzema, and Courtois has kept the gate dry for the only time this season.
With Benzema, everything is more or less clear. In five official matches of the season, the striker scored four goals and one assist.
But don’t think there won’t be anyone else to score for Real Madrid in the Champions League. Bombardier’s abilities this season have already been demonstrated by Modric, Lucas Vazquez, the Brazilian couple Vinicius – Rodrigo, as well as Federico Valverde.
Group stage
Real Madrid’s rivals in the group stage of the Champions League were the German RB Leipzig, the Scottish Celtic and the Ukrainian Shakhtar.
With a team from Donetsk, Real will play for the seventh and eighth time in the recent history of European competition. And for the third season in a row, both teams fall into the same group! However, one should not assume that such a lot guarantees the success of Carlo Ancelotti’s team. If a year ago Madrid celebrated the victory twice (2:1 at home and 5:0 away), then in the 2020/21 season, Shakhtar sensationally took all six points from Real Madrid – they won both at home (2:0) and in away (3:2).
Real Madrid and Celtic have not met in the Champions League for a very long time – the last time this happened back in 1980. In the first leg of the quarter-finals, the Scots were stronger (2:0), and in the second leg – the Spaniards, who scored a goal more (3:0).
With the club from Leipzig, Real has not met before.
Main competitors
Among them are Barcelona with a goalscoring machine Robert Lewandowski, PSG with a dedicated Kylian Mbappe, and last season’s finalist Liverpool with a new star in attack – Darwin Nunez.
Perhaps the main rival of Real Madrid in the fight for the trophy is Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s gang is like wine – it only gets better with age. The current champion of England is currently going to the Premier League unbeaten, and the star newcomer Erling Haaland is already hard at work in the new championship for himself – 10 goals in six matches. Something extraordinary.