With Cristiano Ronaldo gone, who lines up for Real Madrid? | ESPN FC

The ESPN FC crew breaks down who will line up for Real Madrid with Cristiano Ronaldo gone to Juventus, and who among Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Isco and Marco Asensio should be in the starting XI for Julen Lopetegui's squad.

[handsomehobo]

Nobody I mean nobody can do what cr7 did at Madrid for really long time maybe ever what a player🙌🏼

[nicsawesome]

If Bale stays fit, he will be one of the best players in Europe. IF, only IF

[Samsonmanase]

Nobody gone score 30-40 single handily in Real Madrid since Ronaldo left

[Bodhi]

Bale will strain is calf muscles for half the season. It happens every year. That or his hips, growing, hamstring, or quad. You cannot depend on him.

[Lordloss]

Shit!!! Look at those numbers. God dumn this dude is a scoring machine. I love madrid just like the next guy but Bale ain't scoring those number even when he first got in Madrid with a burst of excitement. What I do admit is that Bale can surprise us with some great goal sometime that can be replayed over and over again. If Bale can get that chemistry with Benzema and Marcelo like Cristiano had then he could score a good 25+ goals.

Also, the pressure might get to Bale too. Cause if he doesn't pull those numbers up .... the Media is gonna destroy him and keep comparing him to Ronaldo stats and what Cristiano brought to the club.

[sammyjohn]

Courtois was such a waste of money also, navas is perfectly capable and was a loyal servant to the club. Hope he doesn't get ousted like Casillas, I am still ashamed of how he was pushed out.

[nayankc]

I think Gareth bale can score more than 20 goals this season

[mao]

I still dont understand why Real wont buy another striker. Benzema isnt enough!

[gordianus]

My problem with Bale is consistency. This characteristic is what makes Ronaldo and Messi so great, over ten years on the top with no one coming close. There have been great players like Ronaldinho or Ronaldo Nazario but they played on top level for three seasons at best.
For me only Pelé had the consistency of Ronaldo and Messi.

[ZORIN-X]

I don't see it...so when Bale wasn't relied upon as much when Ronaldo was leading the line, he'd get injured constantly, now that he is needed for the entire season as a focal point of the team, he won't get injured?

The guy has been injury prone since he arrived at Real Madrid.

If he makes it past December without an injury, I'll be surprised.

[Jorge-uglf]

Real Madrid is not only a top squad right now but still has a very bright future. Under 26 y/o players: isco, asensio, courtois, varane, carvajal, kovacic, odriozola, vinicius, ceballos...

[ドリューローズゴールド]

Really shows how much these pundits know (which is nothing) Isco?!?! Front three?!?!? No Isco is a midfielder he dictates the play and creates chances yes he can score but he can't score 30 goals a season because he is a midfielder. Bale?!?! Down the middle?!?!? No Bale's naturally a winger you can't just him down the middle ask Zidane every time he put Bale down the middle Bale never produced whereas every time he put Bale on the wing Bale would rack up a goal or assist Bale is a winger not a striker. This is the best line up for Madrid
Benzema
Asensio. Bale
Isco
Kroos. Modric

Marcelo Ramos Varane Carvajal

Navas/Courtios

[seanofthehead]

Obviously you split the load between the front three, Bale will now have the oportunity to take penalties and free kicks to earn more goals and Asensio should be given the chance to shine as a starter

[Eric-egia]

i hope real madrid signs Icardi in January, a front three of Asensio/Isco, Icardi, and Bale would be entertaining in my opinion

[bSed]

Bale 25 goals, Asensio 20 Goals, Vazquez 10 Goals, Benz 15 Goals, Isco 15 Goals

Problem fixed

[jg]

Thats because Ronaldo took it upon himself to take shots where easier routes where available. Real Madrid is gonna rely on each other now so everyone is gonna be scoring.

[ayejay]

Asensio wills stay fit longer than Bale; I think he will be the leading goalscorer in 18-19. Not near CR7 numbers with his assist mentality but he will bang them in. RM will have to learn to share the workload for goal production rather than relying on CR7 to produce solo efforts. I think this aspect will expose their weaknesses and force the manager to actually create teamsheets with a purpose rather than name power. Maybe involve some youngsters. Will be an interesting season.

[xCaptxCrunchx]

got to a 4 - 2- 3- 1 and place Isco or Asensio behind Benzema. Done. If Kroos and MOdric can't control the MIdfield with Varane and Sergio behind them then that's the problem.

[Oldheadontheblock]

He will probably score 70 goals in Italy because they have a weaker defence I think

[ChimcharrNo]

Bale and benzema combined couldn’t score the goals Ronaldo could. There’s only one man that can score more than Ronaldo and that’s messi. These two players are irreplaceable.