Real Madrid vs. Galatasaray: Things We Learned from Friendly

Real Madrid won their final pre-season game of the summer, as they defeated Galatasaray 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.

An early headed goal from centre-back Nacho put Real in control, and they mostly dominated play without being anything like scintillating in attack. But former Real Madrid midfielder Wesley Sneijder drew the Turkish visitors level with a strike from outside the box in the second half.

As it seemed penalties would be needed to find a victor, Marcelo produced some genuine quality as he dribbled past three to score late on and win the match for Real.

Here are a handful of takeaways from the game from the point of view of the Spanish side as they begin their Liga campaign on Sunday.

The Right Flank Needs an Inverse Roberto Carlos

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Real Madrid's shape, especially in attack, is still a work in progress. What we can see and say with some surety, though, is that the right-hand flank is going to be used almost exclusively by whoever plays at full-back.

Isco, Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez and Lucas Vazquez have all operated from that flank over pre-season, and all have performed similar roles: Take a starting position halfway between wide and No. 10 in open play and tuck back and infield as a third central midfielder when in defensive phases of play.

It leaves the entire wing for Dani Carvajal or Danilo to race down and overlap, providing outlet passes or crossing opportunities. The Brazilian has the pace and power to make use of the space, but Danilo so far hasn't shown the touch or composure of the Spaniard once into dangerous areas in possession.

Isco over James? Or a Final Chance to Shine?

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The starting lineup showed a little bit of a surprise, as James Rodriguez was left out; with the Colombian being a key part of the side last season, it was widely assumed there would be a role for him against Galatasaray and thus on the opening day of the season.

While manager Rafa Benitez is, of course, keeping his first XI for competitive action to himself, the choice of playing Isco on the right could be seen two ways: Was he showing faith in the Spaniard, indicating he fits into this Real side as a first pick, just like Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo to his left? Or was it a final chance to prove his worth, with James' quality already a foregone conclusion?

The impending presentation, as the team announced, of Mateo Kovacic—who can play centrally, loosely from the right or in the No. 10 role—only adds to the uncertainty over the preference of Isco and James.

Manager Rafael Benitez spoke, per ESPN FC, after the game: "Logically, that is the debate, with Isco, with James, with Bale, all of them in this zone. What we look for is to blend the qualities the different players have. Gareth does not have the touches between the lines of Isco or James, he is more direct, but they can complement each other."

There's Nothing Wrong with Nacho

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By common consent, Nacho is Real Madrid's fourth-choice centre-back behind Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Pepe. He's home-grown, Spanish, inoffensive and not a star name—a squad filler, basically.

Except, by several of his performances last season and his displays in pre-season, perhaps he's more than that. There won't be many putting him forward as a guaranteed starter for the opening day of the season, but Benitez has always preferred functionality over favouritism. Maybe that will have to change somewhat at Real, where politics eventually rule, but he will not have seen too much he doesn't like about Nacho this summer.

He is, essentially, Real's Marc Bartra—a far greater player than people give credit.

Real's Attack a Work in Progress

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While Real Madrid's attack showed plenty of good movement and fluidity in rotation of position, it still lacks understanding or cohesive link play.

Gareth Bale's occupancy of the No. 10 role should bear fruit sooner or later, but he needs faster passes played into his runs when he drives forward. And he certainly won't get that too frequently from the left, where, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo's main strengths involved driving toward goal rather than threading passes.

Eventually something will click, and it may well be that the second-half showing, more of a 4-4-2 with Ronaldo and Bale central, is what Benitez turns to over time. It worked for Carlo Ancelotti last season in spells, albeit with Karim Benzema one of the two up top.

ESPN FC contributor Dermot Corrigan noted, via Twitter, that the front four was "still looking very much [a] work in progress" and that Bale's role needed "fine-tuning" as the season goes on.

Either way, it still needs work to properly click, and it is notable that the two goals were scored by defenders against Galatasaray after Real's entire team drew a blank against Valerenga. Next up, Sporting Gijon.

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