beIN SPORTS By David Cartlidge (@davidjaca)

Introduction

A bizarre campaign that was essentially split in two halves - with Rafa, and post-Rafa - culminated in a Champions League win for Real Madrid. Zinedine Zidane secured the triumph after just 5 months in the job following Rafael Benitez’s uninspiring reign.

Zidane revitalised a flagging team, and while the jury remains out on his managerial credentials there can be no denying he lifted big name stars to produce on the biggest stage of them all. LaLiga wasn’t exactly far from their grasp in the end either. Zidane now moves on to his first full season as a coach, with the spotlight even brighter than it was previous.

Can he handle the media conflict, internal power struggles as well as proving his tactical acumen? It’s a big ask, and bigger coaches than him have fallen foul in the past. It all of a sudden gets very real for Zizou.

What has changed from last season

In all honesty, not much. Real Madrid’s summer has been discreet by their usual grandeur standards. There has been no major signings, the highest profile capture has been the return of Alvaro Morata, while a high profile casualty has not been forthcoming. Isco stayed, so did James Rodriguez, and there has been no Karim Benzema summer wrangle either. Dust must well be gathering in the Bernabeu offices, as even the purported Paul Pogba pursuit didn’t transpire.

Morata’s return is the major news, while Fabio Coentrao is also back after a year on loan with Monaco. The surprise could well come from young Marco Asensio. Bought a year ago from Real Mallorca, the player performed superbly while on loan at Espanyol and has convinced Zidane in pre-season with his dazzling displays. A stunning goal in the UEFA Super Cup final was the last push the Frenchman needed to be convinced by ‘Magic Marco’. Isco and James have been warned…

Objectives

It’s Real Madrid, so like Barcelona every trophy counts. Not winning the Copa del Rey would even be seen as a failure. Champions League remains the fabric of the club but it’s quite clear they need to assert their dominance on a domestic level. Barca’s stranglehold, coupled with an Atletico Madrid team constantly growing, means pressure is on Real Madrid to be Spain’s top dogs once again. La Liga therefore, is priority.

Prediction

It all depends on how Zidane progresses as a coach and whether he addresses the doubts surrounding him. If he can do that and show himself to be a terrific tactician, then Real Madrid could well have present and future success in abundance. But there is that other side, and Zidane has indeed had an enormous amount of luck so far in his short managerial career. Expect plenty of struggles, and the key will be Real Madrid retaining their faith in the Frenchman. Another victory in Europe looks unlikely, so instead expect them to push to the bitter end in both domestic competitions.