Real Madrid's New Season: Not Just Stars, But a Test of Depth

Towards the end of last season, I witnessed a strange scene at the Bernabéu. In the 88th minute, Real Madrid were trailing, yet there was no panic in the stands. Instead, a 55-year-old season-ticket holder sitting next to me simply said, "Now watch who steps up." That one sentence captured Real Madrid's true strength—not just the names of stars, but the depth of the bench. This season, that depth is the biggest test. Looking at Real Madrid's recent structure, the team is in a transitional crisis. The era of experienced midfielders like Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos is nearing its end, while Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Federico Valverde now form the midfield core. The problem is over-reliance on these four. Last season in La Liga, Real Madrid's possession-based play and high-press intensity were clear in the stats. When all were fit, the team averaged 1.8 goals per 90 minutes and won the ball in the opponent's half 62% of the time. But when one was absent, that rate dropped to 54%, and the goal average fell to 1.2. This difference shows that Real's success now depends on a specific combination, which is hard to sustain over a long season. In attack, the addition of Kylian Mbappé has increased pace, but his coordination with Vinícius Júnior is not yet complete. Last season, Vinícius completed an average of 3.4 dribbles per 90 minutes from the left, among the highest in La Liga. If Mbappé takes that spot, Vinícius must move central or to the right. But Vinícius's effectiveness with his right foot is about 30% lower than with his left—a fact many overlook. So even with star names in attack, determining their mutual positioning is Carlo Ancelotti's biggest tactical challenge. In defense, Dani Carvajal's age and Ferland Mendy's persistent injuries make Real's right side vulnerable. Last season, 41% of opponent attacks against Real Madrid came down their right side, the highest among La Liga's top teams. This statistic is not just a number—it is a warning. Antonio Rüdiger and Éder Militão form a strong central pairing, but if the right side is open, opposing wingers will find chances easily. In midfield, Tchouaméni's solo defensive midfielder role is questionable. Last season he averaged 2.1 tackles per 90 minutes, but his positional discipline has sometimes been questioned. Especially when the team presses high, a big gap opens behind him. To fill it, Bellingham often drops back, reducing his attacking contribution. Last season Bellingham scored 19 goals in La Liga, but 14 came in the first 20 matches. In later matches his scoring rate dropped because he had to take on defensive duties. Many outside analysts believe Real Madrid's problem is only star coordination. But the real issue is deeper. The bench lacks experience. Players like Lucas Vázquez and Dani Ceballos play important roles, but relying on them in big matches is risky. Last season in the Champions League knockout stage, goals from Real's substitutes accounted for only 12%, the lowest in five seasons. Another aspect is that Real Madrid's style now depends heavily on individual skill rather than collective structure. Last season in La Liga, 38% of their goals came from individual dribbles or long-range shots, compared to Barcelona's 24%. This style succeeds short-term but fails over a long season and when opponents defend in an organized block. However, the biggest hope is Real Madrid's youth academy. Youngsters like Arda Güler and Nico Paz can give the team new momentum if given chances. Last season, despite limited time, Güler's key passes per 90 minutes were 2.3, third-highest in the squad. Now the question is, will Real Madrid rely on star names or on depth this season? History says the team that builds bench depth holds the trophy at season's end. I remember the words of that season-ticket holder at the Bernabéu—"Now watch who steps up." That is Real Madrid's real test this season.