La Liga Taster: Real Déjà Vu In Madrid

High drama and soap operas are never far away from the doorsteps of the Santiago Bernabéu. Even before the Liga season kicks off! This year seems to be no different.

Real Madrid have already consumed more headline space in the pre-season alone than most of their La Liga counterparts would in an entire campaign. Thankfully, though, the players will soon be free of the transfer window media circus, and able to start the season.

But now, there is another issue to grapple with: an unwanted and uncomfortable feeling of déjà vu. The sacking of a coach who just delivered a major title, the transfer market merry-go-rounds, the uninspired performances and more crucially, the lack of stability in the coaching and playing staff: all of these things are just a few examples of the issues that fans have read about one time too many.

Fabio Capello, of course, was sacked as coach just 11 days after guiding the club to their 30th La Liga title last season. This move was eerily reminiscent of how Jupp Heynckes and Vicente del Bosque were given the chop despite making significant contributions to the trophy room.

Such are the high demands and standards at the club that chronic managerial changes have become as notorious as extravagant summer spending.

Speaking of which, Los Merengues' activities in the transfer market this season also reek of déjà vu. The hype, rumours and failed attempts to lure the big names like Kaka, Cesc Fabregás and Arjen Robben to the capital have become ludicrously tiresome as the sequel to last season's transfer sagas seem to have no end in sight. Don't be too surprised if it turns into a trilogy this time next year!

The only thing that has been different this season, compared to the last seven or so years, is that the club have finally eased off on their obsession to sign at least one superstar player every year, whatever the cost. Although most of Europe's big guns have embraced that policy, this season the Madrid boardroom are, for once, thinking with their heads.

What's more, the fact that their last eight outfield signings (three from last season) are all well under the age of thirty goes to show that the club are wisely planning for the future. They have also gone into the habit of only signing players that they really need - full marks to them for recruiting only one striker so far.

More impressively, they are giving their young boys from the cantera, such as Javier Balboa, Roberto Soldado and Ruben de la Red, a chance to prove that they are worthy of wearing the white shirt.

Pre-Season Apprehension

It's difficult to grade Real's on-pitch pre-season exploits. While it is evident that results and performances have been unconvincing, one has to firmly keep in mind that the team is in yet another transitional phase. Not only does the half a dozen new arrivals have to adapt to a completely unfamiliar environment, the surviving crop of players from last season have to acclimatize to a different coaching and playing style - as well as to their new teammates.

But it's clear that the massive dressing room revamp is cause for concern. If Capello, one of the most experienced and successful club coaches in the world, needed half a year to gel his team last season, how long will Schuster need before his squad starts firing on all cylinders? It is something that Madridistas simply must endure.

The pre-season results seem to have a distinct pattern: a victory would always be followed by a defeat. In terms of their display, they have looked significantly unpolished. Schuster may have gotten away with losing a few friendlies, but the embarrassing Supcercup defeat to Sevilla (6-3 on aggregate) has left him, and the team, without a hiding place. On the basis of the Supercopa, the fans and the board will be left extremely apprehensive with the league kicking off in just under a week.

Despite the rampant pessimism, some found succour in these results. Losing at any level may not look pretty on paper but it demonstrates that Schuster is doing his job of experimenting with tactics and strategies, shuffling his players to find the right mix and getting everyone up to speed with their roles, instead of just pointlessly chalking up one win after another.

After all, it is better to stumble in the pre-season games than in the competitive league matches.

The Royal Family

In another recurring pattern, Madrid are set to line up with a lineup near-unrecognisable to that of this time last year. Real begin the defense of their Primera Liga crown against city rivals Atletico Madrid on August 26 and it'll be a strange team that starts this clash.

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who is quickly overtaking the fading Raul as the club's golden boy, looks to be the only player guaranteed of seeing his name on the starting line up come opening day. At the age of just 26, he was phenomenally solid and consistent last season and he will continue to shepherd Madrid's goalmouth unchallenged, ahead of newcomer Jerzy Dudek.

The arrivals of 26 year old Christoph Metzelder on a free transfer and 24 year old Pepe for €30 million will give the once aging merengue backline a fresh makeover, although questions have been raised about the club's decision to choose the Brazilian-born Portuguese over more established defenders such as Gabriel Milito and Christian Chivu - not t mention the price tag.

To his credit, the ex-Porto centreback has been one of the better players in pre-season, until, of course, his dismal showing against Sevilla in the Supercup. His real character and true worth will be tested by how well he bounces back.

The duo will compete with Fabio Cannavaro for the centreback positions, although the Italian World Cup winning captain should easily be the first choice if he can pick up where he left off towards the end of last season.

While the ever-impressive Sergio Ramos has nailed down the right-back slot, the left-back spot is up for grabs. It's set to be hotly contested between three explosive, ambitious youngsters: Miguel Torres, Marcelo and Royston Drenthe, all of whom will be vying to earn the tag of 'new Roberto Carlos.'

The 20 year old Drenthe, signed from Feyenoord for €14 million, is an exciting prospect for Los Blancos. The Edgar Davids lookalike is equally adept playing as a left-back or as a left attacking midfielder. With his flair and flamboyance, one feels that the will be better utilized in attack to add an extra dimension to Madrid's game.

Which brings us to their midfield. It is this department where Schuster will find hardest to sort out.

His main goal will be to find the perfect balance between defence and offence. Capello's double defensive pivot last season was never a big hit with the fans and, given the summer promises of sexy football from the President, if Schuster adopt it, it may be even more unpopular. Mahamadou Diarra and Fernando Gago mayhave to fight it out for the exclusive rights to tackle the defensive midfield chores.

For the creative and attacking roles, Schuster appears to be rather flexible in his formation. Robinho, Guti, Drenthe, Balboa and Wesley Sneijder all seem happy to assume free roles, often shifting and swapping positions with each other in the middle of play.

The 23 year-old Sneijder is the latest addition to the squad after a €27 million move from Ajax Amsterdam, and he is another eye-popping young talent. Schooled by the Dutch principle of Total Football, the Dutchman has remarkable versatility. The dexterous two footed player is comfortable playing virtually any part and position in midfield and he has been assigned as the team's new set piece specialist. Quite appropriate, then, that he should inherit the number '23' jersey.

Up front, all signs are pointing towards a lone striker configuration. Ruud van Nistelrooy is unparalleled when it comes to executing that role and he will gladly spearhead the attack, with Roberto Soldado acting as his understudy. Javier Saviola, the priceless free-transfer capture from Barcelona, Raul and Robinho will be among Schuster's choices to occupy the 'hole' behind the target man.

The Brazilian Boy Wonder, Robinho, will be the one player whom everyone will be expecting to shine brightest this term. He enjoyed a sensational Copa America outing this summer, picking up the Golden Boot and being player of the tournament. The last few seasons have been tumultuous for him, but now that he has finally settled into life as a Madrid man, this will be the year he'll have to elevate his game into another level.

Pure Pressure

As a manager, Schuster has a record for making an impressive start to a season, but he also has a reputation for fizzing off towards the tail end. And he'll need that good start: the German will be under more pressure than any of his predecessors of the past few years.

Aside from having to follow up the club's title win last season with more silverware, he also has to deliver them in style; a direct order from president Ramón Calderón, although the coach himself recently claimed that he himself never made such a promise.

Can he pull it off regardless? Or will this be another déjà vu mistake by the Real Madrid hierarchy? Time will soon tell!