Real Madrid is having plenty of problems during the early stages of this season. One such problem is that it has yet to name an unchanged line-up in any of the 10 La Liga or Champions League matches it has played to date. Even in goal there is no continuity. Right now, Real Madrid is unrecognisable, unsure of its ideal starting XI.
Ancelotti appears to have most doubts in defence. The only defender to play in both Real’s opening game of the campaign and its most recent is Sergio Ramos. Ancelotti seemed quite settled on his centre-back partnership, although he changed it once Varane was back from injury.
Five players have already operated at full-back: Arbeloa, Coentrao, Marcelo, Carvajal and Nacho. At left-back, Marcelo started the campaign, but was substituted during the first two games of the season. After he fell injured, he was replaced by Arbeloa, who has also played on the right, and now Coentrao is playing there. Nacho has only featured once, against Villarreal.
There is more of the same in midfield. Initially, Carlo entrusted Modric as his midfield marshal in the absence of Xabi Alonso and Illarramendi. But in the end, he changed his mind, and benched the Croat for the derby match. Despite this, Modric and Khedira are the midfield players who have played the most.
Up front are the only two players to have started in all ten games: Cristiano and Benzema. The rest have alternated, although Isco and Di María have played more important roles.
Carlo is searching for his ideal starting XI but has yet to find it.
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