Real Madrid return to La Liga action tomorrow night as they travel to San Mames to face Athletic Club, in a tough fixture to kick off the season.
It will be a very different Real Madrid side to the one seen at the end of last season, with a notable gap in attack following the departure of Karim Benzema.
Carlo Ancelotti has tested a new formation in pre-season, with mixed results, but it seems that the Italian will try his new shape in competitive action. This will see the team line up with a diamond midfield, and the wide attackers moving central.
Real Madrid were dealt a huge blow yesterday as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, which could keep him sidelined for the whole season. The club intend to enter the market to find a replacement, but for now they will have to trust backup option Andriy Lunin.
Who could start vs Athletic Club?
New signings Jude Bellingham and Fran Garcia are expected to start, with all eyes on the Englishman as he makes his first appearance in Spanish football.
Veterans Toni Kroos and Luka Modric both extended their contracts to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu for one more year, but it is unlikely that both start together given the plethora of younger options in the middle of the park.
Eduardo Camavinga could return to a midfield role, having finished last season as a makeshift left-back, whilst Aurelien Tchouameni has impressed in pre-season, having seen a dip in form in the second half of last season.
It is also expected that Eder Militao and David Alaba start as the main centre-back pairing, with Antonio Rudiger on the bench.
Wingers Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo will likely start up front as split strikers, with Bellingham at the tip of the diamond in an advanced attacking role.
Real Madrid predicted XI vs Athletic Club: Lunin; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Fran Garcia; Tchouameni, Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior.