What Is Real Madrid’s Best XI For The 2010-11 Season?

Ollie Irish

18th, August 2010

56 Comments

JOSE Mourinho is quickly building his own team at Real Madrid. He gets the ownership thing: managers need to be fully accountable for their XIs; the good ones put their own unique stamp on a club, which usually involves getting rid of the previous gaffer’s players and systems, and installing new ones.

Mourinho has already signed Sergio Canales, Sami Khedira, Ricardo Carvalho, Pedro Leon, Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil. That’s more than half a team right there. But how many of that half-dozen will feature regularly in Real’s first team? Let’s see…

What does Mesut Ozil’s arrival mean for Kaka, who is currently injured?

The formation: As seen at Chelsea and Inter, Jose loves a bit of 4-3-3 and I expect he will dabble with it this season. The increasingly popular 4-2-3-1 is also an option, and one Mourinho may use in the Champions League, I read. Of course, both formations depend on the attacking players also doing a share of the defensive work – but then the Special One has never had a problem getting his players to do what he asks. Look into my eyes, not around the eyes.

Anyway, I’m going with 4-2-3-1:

The line-up:

Iker Casillas (c)

Sergio Ramos – Ricardo Carvalho – Pepe – Marcelo

Sami Khedira – Xabi Alonso

Cristiano Ronaldo – Mesut Ozil – Angel Di Maria

Gonzalo Higuain

Left-back is clearly a weak point, and you can see why Ashley Cole has been linked with Real. Otherwise it’s a VERY strong team, with oodles of pace, power and skill. At DM, Xabi will sit in the middle of the pitch, like a modern-day Jan Molby, and spray the ball around, while Khedira does the box-to-box thing he did so well for Germany in South Africa. The trident of Ronaldo-Ozil-Di Maria is scary. As the spearhead, I picked Higuain over Benzema, because the former is a better goal poacher – and this is a team that should create plenty of chances.

I’ve shown you mine, now you show me yours…

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56 Comments

  1. gary says:

    I agree with ur team, except that Pepe is crap and a thug. A thug who doesn’t deserve to be playing football. I would play Garay. He’s class and silky smooth.

  2. gaptooth says:

    similar formation to spain – with ozil in a xavi role and Higuain slightly more advanced than ronaldo and kaka (who could swap flanks at any time)

    ——————————I Casillas (c)

    ————— ——S Ramos – Albiol – Pepe – Marcelo

    ————————–S Khedira – X Alonso

    ————————- – —–M Ozil

    ———————-C Ronaldo – G Higuain- kaka

    they look a good team but i think Barca , Inter and Chelsea could still give em a run for their money

  3. Enver Muslija says:

    Real Madrid will be champion of Spain and Europe Champions league

  4. kieran says:

    i personally think arbeloa will be the regular left back, and why not.. he was consistent last year, and he’s a hard worker a think that mourinho loves, he may not be the best going forward, but i don’t think he needs to be with the likes of di maria and ronaldo down the wings, i also think albiol and carvalho should the the regular centre backs as pepe isn’t a mature centre half at the moment.. obviously if madrid could get ashley cole in, and with mourinho to nurture them all into a team.. they would be a force to be reckoned with.

    casillas

    Ramos Albiol Carvalho Arbeloa

    Alonso Khedira

    Ozil

    Ronaldo Di maria

    Higuain

    Best team in the world on paper.. but lets see what they can produce.

  5. Optimus Grime says:

    Casillas

    Ramos Carvalho pepe Arbeloa

    Khedira Alonso Granero/Diarra

    Ronaldo Ozil/Di Maria

    Higuain

    Not a bad shout Irish but cant see Mourniho having 4 all out attackers on the pitch to start a game. He’s far more cautious than that. For Chelsea, only duff robben and drogba were free, with lamps joining late. With Inter only Milito and Sneijder were free (with eto’o joining from the right) He likes at least 3 non defenders behind the ball

  6. imy says:

    Casillas
    ramos carvalho pepe arbeloa
    xabi alonso khedira
    ozil
    ronaldo higuain kaká

    ronaldo kaka ozil ALL interchangable

  7. kieran says:

    Also, with Sergi Canales and Ozil, don’t you think that there is potential there to be the next Iniesta/Xavi? both young, and undoubtedly going to get playing time together under mourinho, maybe they can grow with eachother like xavi and iniesta have.. such an exciting prospect. going to be a good season this year for real madrid.

  8. grassak says:

    ……………..Casillas……………
    Ramos …..Pepe……… Carvalho……Arbeloa
    …………Khedira…..Alonso………….
    ………………Ozil………………..
    ……Kaka…………….Ronaldo……
    …………Higuain………………..

    I still think Real will buy left back

  9. me says:

    Casillas
    Ramos-Carvalho-Pepe-Marcelo
    Lass-Alonso
    Cristiano-özil
    Kaka
    Higuain
    I’d prefer lass in the midfield but I’m pretty sure Khedira will play there. At least in the beginning of the season. I choose to play Ronaldo and Özil/Di Maria out wide and Kaka as a second striker just behind Higuain. But the formation will change very much as I think Mourinho will rotate his players and I’d like to see Canales play a bit so that he can show us his unquestionable talent.

  10. Joe says:

    CASILLAS
    RAMOS – CARVALHO – RAUL ALBIOL – ARBELOA
    ALONSO
    RONALDO – OZIL – DI MARIA
    KAKA
    HIGUAIN

  11. Bruno says:

    LOL at people having Albiol over Pepe. Pepe is one of the best center backs in football when fit, Albiol is decent at best, no where near the standard of being a starting player for Madrid.

    Entirely agree with the line-up you have Ollie. Marcelo is the weakest link without a doubt. I still find it humorous that when Madrid was linked with Coentrao, Mourinho said, “I have Marcelo, so I don’t need a Coentrao.” I normally see eye to eye with him on many things regarding football, but he is going to eat those words if he has Marcelo playing the majority of the season at left back. Arbeloa would probably be a better bet. Depends on the opponent.

  12. my opinion wll be CASILLAS ARBELOA RAMOS PEPE DRENTHE DIARRA ALONSO S.CANALES KAKA BENZIMA HIGIUN

  13. JLP says:

    Absolutely frightening attack capabilities… On paper this team is devastating, and amazingly Kaka is surplus.

  14. me says:

    hamza muhammed, you have to be kidding me. You can’t leave Ronaldo on the bench. He costed 94 million€. 94!!!!!

  15. phenom says:

    no team on paper is as strong as Barcelona

  16. Faisal says:

    ……………..Casillas……………
    Ramos …..Pepe……… Carvalho……Drenthe
    …………Khedira…..Alonso………….
    ……Ronaldo….Kaka……Ozil………….
    …………Higuain………………..

  17. Nasir S umar says:

    casillas,
    pepe, cavalho,
    Ramos Drenthe — ozil, Alanso, Di maria
    C. Ronaldo
    Karim Banzima G. Higuan

  18. the cannon says:

    casillas
    ramos carvalho pepe marcel
    alonso khedira
    ronaldo ozil van der vaart
    higuain

  19. antxon says:

    4-2-3-1
    GK: Casillas
    Def: Arbeloa Ramos Carvalho Marcelo
    MF: Ronaldo Alonso Lass Canales Ozil
    F: Pipita as the lone striker

    Garay is terrible. He should be on his way out. Along with M. Diarra, and van der vart. Di Maria is a show-pony. He’s been very ineffective in the pre-season.

  20. Madridusafan says:

    Casillas

    Sergio Ramos Carvalho Pepe Marcelo

    Khedira Alonso

    Ronaldo Ozil/Van der Vaart/Kaka Benzema/Di Maria

    Higuain

    Kaka will be the first choice for the attacking central midfield position when he is healthy, but until then I think that Ozil or Van der Vaart will get that position. Benzema has played well in a winger type position in the preseason friendlies, so I could see him playing as a winger. Sergio Canales and Pedro Leon are good substitutes for the wingers or central attacking midfielders.

  21. Madridusafan says:

    ………………………….Casillas
    ……………………………………………………………
    …….Sergio Ramos……Carvalho……..Pepe……….Marcelo…….
    ……………………………………………………………
    ………………….Khedira………….Alonso…………………
    ……………………………………………………………
    …….Ronaldo…….Ozil/Van der Vaart/Kaka……Benzema/Di Maria…
    ……………………………………………………………
    ………………………….Higuain………………………….

    Kaka will be the first choice for the attacking central midfield position when he is healthy, but until then I think that Ozil or Van der Vaart will get that position. Benzema has played well in a winger type position in the preseason friendlies, so I could see him playing as a winger. Sergio Canales and Pedro Leon are good substitutes for the wingers or central attacking midfielders.

  22. Jason says:

    Casillas
    Ramos, Carvalho, Garay (when healthy), Pepe
    Khedira, Alonso
    Ronaldo, Kaka, Ozil
    Higuain

    This team only possesses one out-and-out flying winger (Di Maria). Ronaldo is too good to still be restricted to that position. However, there are a TON of AM’s that are roaming, versatile types that like to switch positions (Ozil, Ronaldo, Kaka, Canales, VDV, Pedro Leon). Mourinho’s sides aren’t known for their flexibility, but a fluid 4-2-3-1 would be scary given the attacking talent at his disposal. Perhaps even a 4-6-0, as employed by Ferguson at Man U during the year of Ronaldo-Rooney-Tevez, would be an option.

  23. barca#1fan says:

    still has nothing on barcelona
    messi villa ibra xavi iniesta pique puyol alves
    if thats not the best team on paper idk what is.

  24. Trevor_CFC says:

    Congratulations to Real for winning this year’s best fantasy football team. As far as coming together as a unit, we’ll see. Teams like Inter, Chelsea, and Barca have better players in certain positions (Chelsea as an example with Cole at left back, Essien playing box-to-box and Drogba in the middle of the attack). What these teams also have is proven chemistry. Villa will fit in because the team is full of Spanish team mates, and Chelsea’s starting line up all have 100+ appearances for the club. Teams win Europe on the field, not on paper.

    As for the formation, the author got it spot on. Marcelo is improving, and will start over Arbeloa or Drenthe. And Pepe is the perfect choice to pair Carvalho in the middle, since he plays much more like Terry, which is what Riccy is used to being paired with.

  25. Steve says:

    That team will take plenty of points from weaker sides, but I can’t see it standing up in the later stages of the Champions League or against a team like Barcelona. The defense just doesn’t have it. Ramos is great going forward but a lot less so on defensive responsibilities. Carvalho is past his prime and slowing down. Pepe is adequate at best, the left side weakness has already been talked about. All that would look stronger if there was a clone of Makelele out front to break up attacks, but Xabi Alonso and Khedira are both more about attack and distribution than about winning the ball.

    Looks to me like a front-heavy team with all the stars on the attacking end of the pitch. Really strong, balanced teams are going to cut that defense up. Mourinho may try to park the bus, but this bus has a lot more holes in it than the one he had at Inter…

  26. Anonymous says:

    ………………………….Casillas
    ……………………………………………………………
    …….Sergio Ramos……Carvalho……..Pepe……….Marcelo…….
    ……………………………………………………………
    ………Khedira/Di Maria………….Alonso…………………
    ……………………………………………………………
    ……………………………….Kaka…………………………
    ……………………………………………………………
    …….Ronaldo………………………………….……Ozil…
    ……………………………………………………………
    ………………………….Benzema………………………….

  27. ………………………….Casillas
    ……………………………………………………………
    …….Sergio Ramos……Carvalho……..Pepe……….Marcelo…….
    ……………………………………………………………
    ………Khedira/Di Maria………….Alonso…………………
    ……………………………………………………………
    ……………………………….Kaka…………………
    ……………………………………………………………
    …….Ronaldo……………………………….………Ozil…
    ……………………………………………………………
    ………………………….Benzema………………………….

    The team will reconstruct more on Inter. Kaka will be playing the role of Sneider or Lampard. Single striker will be in the Benzema. Pepe will definitely play, as Mourinho cherish the Portuguese player. Else, Di Maria will play the role of Cambiasso back in Inter.

  28. Israel says:

    I think that there is too much good players to have a team that has everyone happy. However I would play a 3-2-3-1-1 formation.

    Casillas
    Ramos—–Carvalho—–Pepe
    Kedira——-Alonso
    Ronaldo—-Kaka———DiMaria
    Ozil
    Higuin
    Bench: Dudek, Van der Vart, Marcelo, Lass, Benzema, Garay

  29. Anonymous says:

    4-1-2-3

    Casillas (C)
    Ramos – Pepe – Carvalho – Marcelo
    Xabi Alonso
    Ozil – Kaka
    Ronaldo – Higuain -Di Maria

  30. Ben says:

    Casillas
    Ramos – Pepe – Carvalho – Marcelo
    Alonso
    Ozil – Kaka
    Ronaldo – Higuain – Di Maria

  31. Ben says:

    Casillas
    Ramos – Pepe – Carvalho – Marcelo
    Alonso
    Ozil – Kaka
    Ronaldo – Higuain – Di Maria

    Bench: Dudek,

  32. barca says:

    What about this :

    Valdes
    Abidal Pique Puyol Alves
    Busquet
    Iniesta xavi Keita
    Villa Ibra Messi

  33. luckymore says:

    ……….casillas………….

    abeloa….ramos….carvalho…marcelo

    …..alonso…s kedhira….

    ….ronaldo….kaka….oezil…

    ………….higuin……..

    that will be the first 11 if the players are all not injured and i tell you this team will be unstopable guyz. i cnt wait to see kaka bback from injury. get well soon kaka all pure real madrid fans are praying for you to recover soon than expected and prove thoz who criticises you wrong you are a world class player. luv u

  34. di maria in the cambiaso role, you truly are clueless di maria is a winger

  35. Johann says:

    id just change drenthe or whatever his name is for Marcelo who truly can’t defend like roberto carlos.

  36. ab8623 says:

    ………….casillas…………….
    ramos…pepe…….carvalho…..lass (will play here i feel)
    ………alonso…khedira…………
    ronaldo……..kaka………….ozil
    ………….higuain……………..

  37. @barca says:

    I didnt know barca was allowed to play with 12 players on the pitch

  38. uas im better says:

    casillas
    ramos….carvalho….pepe….marcelo(no doubt abt it)
    ………khedira…alonso………….
    ozil…..kaka(if he’s fit)…..ronaldo
    …………higuain……………….

    those who think marcelo is the weakest link in the team….then i think u guys have to rethink…..marcelo has a better chance of performing in the left back than arbeloa (who’s dominant leg is RIGHT !)…seriously.. the dude is not even in the 1st (11) last season… n a big PLUS is that marcelo and ronaldo speaks the same language….so in communication wise marcelo would do much better with ronaldo in the left flank than ARBELOA….marcelo is a sure starter in the left back for madrid….unless if madrid were to buy ashley cole….then i would have given a different oppinion….

    u guys have no idea of football if u think arbeloa is a better bet in the left back than marcelo……

  39. henny says:

    Cassilas
    Ramos Carvalho Pepe Marcelo

    Khadera Alonso

    Ronaldo Kaka Di Maria OZIL WILL BE ROTATED AMONGST THEM

  40. henny says:

    and Benzema to be in front of it all

  41. Jezza7 says:

    —————–Casilias———————–
    Ramos—-Carvalaho———Abiol—–Fabio Coentrao (they need to sign him)
    ————Kedria——–Alonso——–
    —–Ronaldo——- Ozil———Di Maria/Kaka—-
    —————–Higuain———————

  42. […] with Real Madrid’s current Best XI, it should be a breeze picking Barcelona’s first-choice […]

  43. mofo says:

    casillas
    ramos albiol carvalho alberloa

    khedira

    alonso osil
    di maria

    cr9
    higuain

  44. mofo says:

    ____________________________casillas

    ramos_____________albiol__________carvahlo________alberloa

    _______________________khedira

    __________________alonso_________kaka

    ____________________________________________di maria
    ________________________cr9
    ____________________________higuain

  45. batman says:

    mou to play 4-3-3

    casillas
    ramos albiol carvalho alerbloa
    khedira diarra alonso [with khedira doing the box to box thing, diarra sweeping up the mess, alonso to spray the ball from deep]
    ronaldo, higuain, di maria.

  46. joseM says:

    ……..callias
    ramos-carvalho-abiol
    ……..alonso
    ….ozil-kaka-angel
    ronaldo………benzema
    …….higuain

  47. Anonymous says:

    —————casillas————-
    ramos—–carvalho—-pepe—marcelo
    ———–khedira—-alonso——–
    ronaldo–kaka/ozil/canales–di maria
    ———-higuian/benzema———–

  48. Kuntau says:

    I think at the moment 3 best team in europe most probably in the world but none of them from EPL. They are Real Madrid, Barcelona and new look and promising Ac Milan. Let see..hope this season is going to be the most exciting chellenge.

  49. Kuntau says:

    Abbiati

    Bonera – Nesta – Silva – Zambrotta

    Pirlo/Seedorf – Boeteng/Ambrosini

    Robinho Ronaldinho

    Pato – Ibrahimovic

  50. Mamun says:

    I think the most suitable formation will be 4-2-3-1.Ramos as RB.Pepe and Ricardo are in CBs.And Marcelo in the LB.Xabi Alonso will play as a ball winner and passer and Khedira will play as a Box to box.Ronaldo In the Left wing where as Di maria in the Right flank,putting Ozil on the Centre AM.Just In front of Ozil Higuain will be the Striker.
    ……………………….Casillas……………………….
    ramos……….carvalho………………pepe………….marcelo

    ……………khedira………………alonso…………………..

    Di maria………………..ozil…………………….Ronaldo.
    ……………………….Higuain

  51. oaski says:

    CB GK.Casillas CB
    Pepe R.Carvalho
    RB LB
    S.Ramos RDM LDM Marcelo
    S.Khedira X.Alonso
    CAM
    M.Özil
    RW LW
    C.Ronaldo CF A.Di Maria
    G.Higuain

    G.Higuain

  52. Jaco says:

    Hala Madrid!
    Casillas
    G.Johnson Ramos Carvalho Cole

    Alonso Khedira

    Di Maria Ozil Ronaldo

    Rooney

  53. Lee says:

    Casiyas
    ramosh
    calveliho
    pe pe
    arbeloa

    alonsho
    urzil

  54. Anonymous says:

    Casillas(GK)
    Pepe(CB) Raul Abiol/Carvalho(CB)
    Sergio Ramos(RB) Marcelo/Arbeola(LB)
    Lassana Diaria(DMF)
    Alonso(DMF)
    OZIL(AMF)
    Ronaldo Angel DiMaria
    (SS/AMF) Higuain (SS/AMF)
    (CF)

  55. JacobWHUFC says:

    GK – Cassilas
    RB – Ramos
    CB – Pepe
    CB – Albiol
    LB – Marcelo
    DM – Alonso
    CM – Ozil
    CM – Kaka
    LW – Di Maria
    RW – Ronaldo
    CF – Higuian

    Cassilas
    Ramos – Pepe – Albiol – Marcelo
    ———— Alonso ————-
    ——– Ozil — Kaka ———–
    Ronaldo ————— Di Maria
    ———- Higuian ————-

    I don’t rate Carvalho, never have.

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