What is Real Madrid's ideal XI under Rafa Benitez?
After a severe a drubbing at the hands of eternal rivals, Barcelona, and that too at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid’s fanbase seems like a highly divided one. Some want Rafa Benitez’s head while others blame Florentino Perez for the club’s misfortunes. The debates are endless, but one what thing remains static: it is time for the Spanish manager to rethink his strategy, to find out his ideal XI.With a number of players at his disposal and some returning after being sidelined with injuries, here is a XI that will help Benitez and his side reclaim their top spot in the Liga table.
#1 Goalkeeper
There is no space for argument here. Keylor Navas is, by a landslide, Real Madrid’s best goalkeeper. While Kiko Casilla himself is a good goalkeeper, he doesn’t give the same assurance the Costa Rican does.
Apart from the nightmare against Barcelona, that added 4 goals to his ‘goals conceded’ tally, he has been spectacular for the club. Keeping six clean sheets in 10 games, his performance in some games for Madrid single-handedly bailed them out without having to suffer the pain of defeat.
In fact, his turnout with the Whites has been so good this season that many now believe him to be a better shot-stopper than David De Gea, the man they earmarked to replace Iker Casillas. They almost did had it not been for a delay that caused the transfer to fall through.
However, as they say, none can reverse the tide of fate and Keylor Navas now finds himself guarding the sticks of the Galacticos, and in an assured manner.