Lessons from last season
Whether Real Madrid heed their greatest lesson from last season remains to be seen, but the emergence of Angel Di Maria as a crucial cog in lifting La Decima should, in theory, see the Argentine midfielder remain at the Santiago Bernabeu despite continued interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.
The former Benfica man's days in the Spanish capital seemed to be numbered following the arrivals of Isco and Gareth Bale last summer, but Di Maria ensured he could not be ignored with some scintillating performances last term, especially at the business end of the campaign. The Argentine finished top of La Liga's assists chart with 17 and put another five goals on a plate en route to Madrid's 10th European Cup. A man-of-the-match performance in the final in Lisbon topped off a superb season for the midfield man, and it should have ensured his place as one of the first names on Carlo Ancelotti's team sheet this season alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Bale.
As things stand, though, Di Maria could be set for pastures new. While Ancelotti seems keen to keep the World Cup star at the Bernabeu, those above him seem keen to cash in and possibly make way for another arrival in the shape of Monaco forward Radamel Falcao. Despite the big-money arrivals of James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos, Di Maria's departure would be a big blow to Los Blancos but, if he remains at the Bernabeu, Ancelotti will have an embarrassment of riches at his disposal, and a quest to win a possible six trophies from six this season may not be as impossible as many think.
Predicted starting lineup
What's new?
Madrid may have finally ended their search for La Decima in May but that hasn't stopped president Florentino Perez spending big this summer. While the signing of Kroos for 24 million pounds from Bayern Munich is a bargain in today's market, you can't help thinking that spending three times that amount on Monaco's James Rodriguez was a kneejerk reaction to the Colombian's impressive World Cup, which saw him collect the Golden Boot after bagging six goals.
Ancelotti has constantly referenced a desire to play a more passing-led game, despite his side's lethal counterattacking threat, and the signing of World Cup winning-Kroos seems to provide the perfect fit alongside Luka Modric and Xabi Alonso. A six-year contract should mean the Madrid squads of the next few years are built around the pass master. The signing of Rodriguez looks a luxury, but the former Monaco man has undoubted attacking quality and could prove a useful addition, especially with Ronaldo's continuing injury concerns.
Goalkeeper Keylor Navas provides the third and final new addition to Ancelotti's squad and replaces Diego Lopez -- last season's No.1 in La Liga -- who has moved to AC Milan. Navas arrived for 10 million euros from Levante after a superb World Cup for Costa Rica and, if handed a starting role in La Liga this season, should offer a few years of stability between the sticks, with the position being cause for plenty of debate in recent seasons.
Strengths
Where to start? Ancelotti has arguably the strongest squad in the world at his disposal, and he needs it if he is to realise the dream of president Perez to sweep up all six possible trophies this season.
The undoubted strong point will be Madrid's attack, with Bale and current Ballon d'Or holder Ronaldo penetrating both flanks with pace, power and a brutal shot that should see both in among the top scorers in La Liga, and Europe, this season. Karim Benzema may not get close to his two attacking teammates on the goal front, but his presence is crucial in making Madrid's front three -- known as "BBC" -- tick. The trio bagged 63 goals combined last term on the league and added another 28 in the Champions League, with the Portuguese smashing the record for most goals scored in one Champions League campaign with 17.
Those goals can't be scored without the men providing the assists, and Madrid are similarly blessed in the middle of the park. While Di Maria topped the assists charts with 17 in La Liga last season, Modric also enjoyed a standout season, and the arrival of Kroos should only improve those statistics this season. Just in case that isn't good enough, marauding full-backs such as Daniel Carvajal, Fabio Coentrao and Marcelo will chip in with their fair share of attacking raids, too.
Weaknesses
Los Blancos may have more oomph to their attack than arguably any other squad on the planet, but their attacking nature sometimes comes at the expense of their defensive stability.
Xabi Alonso's tiring legs may mean he drops back to help out at the back more than he used to, but Madrid's rampaging full-backs often leave space out wide for other teams to exploit. It's a frequent occurrence and leads to centre-back pairing Sergio Ramos and Pepe being pulled out of position, too. There are gaps to be exploited.
Ramos was superb in the second half of last season, but his partnership with Pepe at the heart of the back line is sometimes an accident waiting to happen. Ancelotti helped to calm their hot-headed approach for the most part last season, but both players are still subject to lapses in concentration and the odd dismissal now and again.
The goalkeeping situation is still somewhat up in the air, too, and the performances of Iker Casillas in the domestic matches he played last season and for Spain in the World Cup will not leave Madrid fans comfortable, despite his status as a club legend. The impressive Keylor Navas has arrived from Levante but it remains to be seen whether he will be Ancelotti's first-choice shot-stopper and whether he will be able to handle the pressure of playing at the biggest club on the planet.
Manager profile: Carlo Ancelotti
The perfect fit for Madrid. After the tornado that was Jose Mourinho ripped through the Spanish capital, the calm the former Chelsea, Milan and Paris Saint-Germain boss brought to a squad already packed with talent was the perfect fit. Madrid ended their long wait for a 10th Champions League trophy and the Copa del Rey in the Italian's first season in charge and that put their shortcomings in La Liga on hold for the season.
Ancelotti largely inherited last season's squad but he always preached the need to control the ball more and, in bringing in Kroos from Bayern, he's got his man. The Blancos boss has said there will be no big changes to his tactical approach, despite an apparent need to fit new boy Rodriguez into his plans, but expect Madrid to complement their counterattacking threat with a more patient approach thanks to the addition of the German World Cup winner. This season, Ancelotti will stamp greater authority on his squad as they target a first league triumph since 2012.
Key player
Gareth Bale. Ronaldo has ruled the roost since his record-breaking move from Manchester United in 2009, but the Welshman has everything in place to take the Ballon d'Or holder's place this season.
The jet-heeled winger enjoyed a superb debut campaign with Los Blancos last season, bagging 15 goals and 12 assists in La Liga last season as well as six Champions League goals and four assists in eight matches.
This came despite the pressure of his first season in Madrid, as well as an injury-hit preseason. Now, with a full season behind him and a summer without a World Cup, Bale should be even better.
While Ronaldo struggled with injury at the end of last season, Bale flourished and more than plugged the gap left by his absence. His winner in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona was arguably the goal of the season in Spain, and his header against Atletico Madrid in Lisbon proved crucial as Madrid came from a goal down to win the Champions League. When it comes to the big games, and for Madrid there are many, the Welsh wizard rises to the occasion.
Ronaldo's persistent injury problems show no sign of going away, and this season is expected to be one when Bale takes the mantle as Madrid's most dangerous player.
Predicted finish: First
Madrid fans may have been occupied by celebrating a long-awaited European triumph, but that masked Los Blancos' failings in the league, whether their quest for Champions League glory rubbed off on their league form in the latter stages of the season or not.
Lifting a 10th European Cup in Lisbon will have lifted a huge weight off the shoulders of players and staff and the focus will turn back to becoming Spanish champions this season.
Los Blancos have arguably the strongest squad in the league, with a strength in depth that leaves their competitors with envious eyes, and that should bode well when the games come thick and fast in a number of competitions towards the latter stages of the season.
Barcelona have also strengthened well, and current holders Atletico have done well to plug the gaps left by big players departing such as Diego Costa, Filipe Luis and Thibaut Courtois, but the options available to Ancelotti, coupled with it being the Italian's second season in the competition, should leave Madrid as favourites.