Real Madrid won the La Liga title under Zinedine Zidane in 2019-20
season and this time around, too, they’ll want to put on a repeat performance
and defend their title successfully. As Barcelona, who’ll field a very
different team than last time, with Arthur and Ivan Rakitic missing and the
new-found unsettlement between Lionel Messi and Ronald Koeman, this might be a
great opportunity for Madrid to consolidate on their title-winning spree. The
last time Madrid won successive La Liga trophy was back in 2008.

The Sergio Ramos-led team were behind Barcelona as Spain
went into lockdown back in March, but they emerged a much stronger side, winning
the league with nine consecutive wins.

This only show how settled a side does Zidane has at his
disposal.

Barcelona are in tatters after a humbling 2-8 defeat against
Bayern Munich in Champion League, followed by the Messi fiasco. It will interesting
to see how Koeman puts up an intimidating team as they hope to neutralise every
threat that comes their way.

Although the days of BBC – Bale, Benzema and Cristiano – are
over, Zidane, the genius that he is, has always found a new attack line to get
the warranted result.

The tournament odds are in the reigning champions’ favour,
with a blossoming side of Federico Valverde, Vinicius Jr., Eder Militao, Martin
Odegaard, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio, adding a pinch
of experience, can make them a force to reckon with.

The first El Clasico of the season will be in October.
Barcelona and Real Madrid will then face each other at the Santiago Bernabeu on
April 11.

All matches will continue to be staged behind closed doors
and according to strict medical regulations aimed at reducing the impact of the
Covid-19 pandemic.

The first games of the new season will be played on the
weekend of September 12, eight weeks after the 2019/20 campaign ended on July
19.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin

Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Nacho, Marcelo, Ferland Mendy, Alvaro Odriozola, Sergio Reguilon

Midfielders: Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Casemiro, Isco, Federico Valverde, Martin Odegaard, 

Forwards: Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Lucas Vasquez, Luka Jovic, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Borja Mayoral