What Will Be Real Madrid's Strongest Defence in the 2015/16 Season?
Real Madrid haven't been a team that keeps defending at the forefront of their minds over the years.
To look at their record last season in La Liga would go some way to explaining why they were unable to win the title yet again.
Madrid conceded 17 goals more than Barcelona, but also, distressingly, they conceded more goals than Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Villarreal as well.
The latter side finished sixth in the league but still had a tighter defence than Madrid. Of course, this isn't just the fault of the left-, right- and centre-backs.
It's partly due to the manager last season, Carlo Ancelotti, and a team philosophy that values attack and allows two of the three forwards to get by without working hard for the other players.
Another aspect is the midfield, which last season only rarely featured an outright defensive-minded player; instead Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were used in deeper-lying positions.
However, Rafa Benitez will care more about making the team sturdier, and he has two tough decisions to make regarding his back four.
The players at his disposal are Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao at left-back, Danilo, Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Arbeloa at right-back, and Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Raphael Varane and Nacho as centre-backs.
Assuming Sergio Ramos, who is in line to be captain now Iker Casillas has signed for Porto, stays at the club, his position will not be in doubt.
Another player who will feel confident about keeping his place is Marcelo, who is vice-captain to Ramos.
The Brazilian has penned a new deal at the Santiago Bernabeu, which keeps him there until 2020.
Ancelotti prioritised Marcelo over Coentrao, and although Benitez could change that, it would be a dubious move.
At the very least, Marcelo will start the season, with Coentrao ruled out of the club's tour of Australia, thanks to a thigh injury, per the Daily Mail.
With Marcelo and Ramos easily the two strongest members of the defence, Benitez's two tricky decisions concern the right-back slot and the battle between Pepe and Varane to be Ramos' partner in the middle.
It's a battle between experience and youthful energy, with Varane's pace and potential an intriguing prospect.
Some Madrid fans will believe that it is time to have faith in him, with a regular position. Others will note how Pepe and Ramos' partnership is still strong.
It's a close call, but for the strength of the team in the years ahead, Varane should be given more football.
Finally, Danilo should be given a run in the side at right-back. That's admittedly harsh on Carvajal, who usurped Arbeloa and was impressive last season.
However, the former Porto man had a strong season and earned his €31.5million move to the Spanish capital.
Benitez is a manager who likes to rotate, and Carvajal will get his chances as he deserves. But the strongest Madrid defence will feature Danilo, along with Ramos, Varane and Marcelo.
We will know more about whether Rafa thinks the same way as the 2015 International Champions Cup—held in Australia, China and North America—progresses.
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