Real Madrid C.F. Football Formation

Lineup (4-2-3-1)

This formation that i have proposed would be great in terms of counter attacking and holding possession. People might look at this team and wonder "Bale at striker?". My reasoning is this. Benzema hasn't been good enough so i have opted to leave him out. Morata has been impressive but i think he would be good coming off the bench.

Bale has that explosive acceleration, game changing ability and goal scoring potential that needs to be utilised at RM. Di Maria has been fantastic and without a doubt deserves to be on the right wing. With Bale in the middle, Di Maria can now look to do long balls through the middle and with Bale, he has the pace to burn defenders (which Benzema doesn't have the ability to do). I don't see Bale being an assist king of some sort and i don't think there is any point in developing that part of his game. I think it's best to make him focus entirely in scoring goals and make quick runs through the defensive line. With Bale playing through the middle, he can also link up with Ronaldo on the left to create more chances.

Also Di Maria's outstanding defensive work rate is the key reason why i would leave him on the wings. If teams like Barcelona are bossing RM's midfield than Di Maria can switch into the midfield to support the midfielders and the frontline of Ronaldo, Isco, Bale can adjust to the situation by shifitng Bale to the right and playing Isco as a false 9. Di Maria is also very good in assisting so i think him and Bale will work nicely together.

Onto Isco now. Isco is a huge talent who is a complete attacking footballer in my eyes in that he can dribble, score goals and assist. He should be RM's CAM for the foreseeable future because he is young and has massive potential. In my opinion he has potential to emulate Ozil but needs to be regular in the team to do that. Also Ancelloti should consider playing Isco as a false 9 during periods in matches because he is a more attacking player.

So the versatility of Ronaldo - Isco - Di Maria - Bale up front in my eyes would be very good for the team. Even though it might be risky not playing a recognised striker, i think Ronaldo's positioning up front will allow RM to be flexible in playing this way.

Now onto the defending midfielders. It was a tough choice picking Modric as defending midfielder because he is a also very good creative attacking player like Isco, but i think he can very effective as a deep lying playmaker. Notably against Galatasaray he was very effective in stringing passes together when receiving the ball from the CBs. He has good vision and is very strong with long balls and with the fastmen of Ronaldo/Bale upfront, his role in team will be crucial in counterattacking.

With Modric i opted to pair him with Casemiro. Casemiro has a very good defensive workrate and will be the key in defending in the midfield. I wouldn't mind playing Khedira in his position but i think Casemiro is worth giving minutes to. Illaramendi is an option there as well. So is Xabi. I would actually place Xabi there when he returns from injury because he is a class player when in form but his age and pace might hinder his performances.

I think there is no arguements about the defenders i picked. Marcelo-Carvajal-Varane-Ramos are our best four at the back. As GK i picked Lopez on form but i couldn't care less if Casilias is there because they are both outstanding keepers.

So pretty much I hope you guys can see that this formation for Real Madrid has the potential to be very effective.