Setting out Carlo Ancelotti's Best Real Madrid Midfield Setup for Rest of Season

At the beginning of the 2014-15 season, Carlo Ancelotti's biggest headache centred on whether he could craft a balanced midfield following the summer departures of Xabi Alonso and Angel Di Maria. 

Though blessed with the silkiest array of primary options on the continent in Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, James Rodriguez and Isco, many—this writer included— doubted Real Madrid's ability to field a central ensemble capable of attacking and defending in equal measure. 

Throughout the early weeks of the campaign, such a view appeared to be justified when Ancelotti's side slumped to consecutive defeats to Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid, the former witnessing a catastrophic collapse that highlighted the soft underbelly of Los Blancos' midfield at the time.

But all of that is now a distant memory. Currently on a 22-game winning streak, the Italian has managed to put together a sublime midfield with his collection of attacking talents to propel Real Madrid to a stretch of unrelenting dominance.

Interestingly, however, a number of injuries to key personnel have forced Ancelotti to shuffle his stars around somewhat in recent months, and due to the sustained excellence throughout that situation, the manager's best midfield is now up for debate. 

Let's take a look at what might constitute his finest combination in the centre of the pitch. 

Carlo Ancelotti's Preferred System

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Back in late September, Ancelotti wasn't hesitant to outline his team's precise system, explaining the way he deploys his XI during a press conference ahead of Real Madrid's first clash with Ludogorets, per Heath Chesters of Inside Spanish Football:

"

[The] 4-4-2 is the best defensive system that exists. [The] 4-3-3 doesn't give the balance required and it's more difficult to pressure higher upfield. Our intention is to defend with a 4-4-2 and attack with a 4-3-3, with two wide players.

"

Real Madrid's Formation in Attack...

Bleacher Report

...And When Defending

Bleacher Report

First-Choice Midfield: Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and James Rodriguez 

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So this is our preferred Real Madrid midfield trio: Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and James Rodriguez.

Of course, that may seem like a fact that doesn't need acknowledgment for some, but as alluded to earlier, a number of injuries have seen Ancelotti shuffle his team somewhat and therefore create some debate over what is the makeup of his best XI. 

First, it was Gareth Bale's absence that allowed Isco to shine in the Welshman's right-sided role. The Spaniard's form was so impressive that many believed Bale would have difficulty reclaiming his starting spot in the side. 

That possible situation was alleviated, however, when Modric suffered a serious thigh injury while on international duty with Croatia—Bale returned to the right as planned, while Isco moved into a central midfield position alongside Kroos. 

Demonstrating his versatility, the former Malaga star has also covered Rodriguez's absence on the left side of the midfield, allowing Asier Illarramendi to assume Modric's position. 

As such, you won't have to look hard to find Real Madrid fans with extraordinarily high praise for Isco. But when the manager has all of his options fit and at his disposal, the Bernabeu favourite is likely to be pushed uncomfortably back to the bench. 

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In Kroos, Real Madrid have their new-wave Xabi Alonso, controlling proceedings from the deepest midfield position with his smooth movement and supreme passing range. 

Just ahead of him, Modric controls the tempo of Los Blancos' attacks and is his team's finest exponent of threading balls through packed defences to find the likes of Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. 

And playing as the most attacking of the trio is Rodriguez, who injects greater pace, a long-range passing ability and an added goalscoring threat to the Real Madrid midfield. 

When those three men are healthy and available, they form Ancelotti's best combination at the centre of his formation. 

Primary Option When Rotating: Isco

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It seems almost cruel that Isco is the man who will be forced out of the XI when Ancelotti has all of his players to choose from. Frankly, it's one of the realities of being among the unparalleled array of stars that exist at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

But one of Isco's biggest assets is his versatility. As stated, he's capable of filling roles on both sides of the front three, as well as two of the three midfield slots. 

The Spaniard, therefore, is the perfect player for Ancelotti to have in reserve during the second half of the season when rotating the team will take on added importance. 

Whether it's a midfielder or a forward who needs a break, Isco has the quality to provide outstanding cover across an array of positions on a weekly basis.