da bet esporte： As Carlo Ancelotti enters his final season at the helm in the Spanish capital, he has one glaring hole in his line up that still needs filling

da prosport bet： By their own lofty standards, Real Madrid failed last season. The club is supposed to compete for — if not win — La Liga every season. They are supposed to beat Barcelona in every Clasico, breeze through contests against bottom-half sides, and make everything look easy.

That didn't quite happen in 2022-23. Los Blancos lost a crucial Clasico, dropped points to mid-table teams, and finished 10 points behind Barca in La Liga. This year, though, there's reason to believe that things could be different. But it really depends on one crucial signing.

Madrid have already been smart in the transfer market, adding Jude Bellingham to bolster an already excellent midfield corps. But the departure of Karim Benzema leaves them with a hole in the front line. Enter, potentially, Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe's desire to play at Santiago Bernabeu is football's worst-kept secret, and it could – despite the player's insistence he is going nowhere until 2024 – happen this summer. Paris Saint-Germain have put Mbappe up for sale, but at this point, he is determined to play out the final year of his contract at Parc des Princes. Whether Madrid can find the right price also remains up the in air.

There are other narratives swirling around Madrid this season, though, as it seems like an era is coming to an end at various positions — and on the touchline. Carlo Ancelotti will depart this summer to take over as Brazil national team boss, while Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are likely playing their final seasons in Madrid white. Adding Mbappe to an already stacked squad to do something special would make for a perfect end to Ancelotti's reign.

But can they do it? GOAL has a look at the chances of a perfect season in Madrid…

Getty ImagesRealistic expectations

It should be close in Spain. While Barcelona won La Liga last year, Real Madrid have strengthened at a number of positions, and could yet get even better if they sign Mbappe. Barcelona, meanwhile, have lost some key players, and don't have the money to bring in requisite reinforcements.

So, Madrid appear to be in contention to reclaim the Spanish title. They are expected to win the league every year, and things seem set up well for them to do so in 2023-24.

On the European front, anything can happen. Madrid were written off in some corners last year, but still made a run to the Champions League semi-finals. Do they have the quality, or legs, to do it again? Without Mbappe, probably not. Then again, we seem to doubt them every year…

AdvertisementGettyBest-case scenario

If Madrid do everything right, if everything falls their way, if they stay healthy and don't panic after the odd poor result, they could win the treble. La Liga appears to be attainable, while a Champions League win can never be ruled out in Madrid. And the Copa del Rey, despite its inherent unpredictability, could also be claimed — especially if they flex their squad depth in the earlier rounds of the competition.

The Champions League might be the hardest bit here. It, of course, all depends on the knockout stage draw. If Los Blancos avoid some of the big names early — such as Manchester City or Bayern Munich — they could certainly pick up steam. And once this Madrid side gets to the semi-finals, with all of its experience and magic, anything can happen.

GettyWorst-case scenario

No trophies, a third-place finish in La Liga, and a last-16 exit in the Champions League. There is always the chance here that Barca simply get better. Xavi's side may have lost some key players, but can count on the development of Frenkie de Jong, Alejandro Balde and Pedri. Furthermore, they have a defined system now, one that should carry them through the campaign. Even new signing Oriol Romeu looked good in pre-season!

Madrid, on the other hand, could see this all go very wrong if they fail to bring in Mbappe — or another striker, for that matter. Ancelotti has flirted with a 4-4-2 formation this summer, using Jude Bellingham at the tip of a midfield diamond to run beyond two split strikers. The results have been unsurprisingly mixed, and if the trio don't figure it out, Madrid could have real issues putting the ball in the net.

Throw in a tricky Champions League draw, a surprise Copa del Rey exit, and perhaps an untimely injury or two, and it could be a very ugly season.

Real MadridThe MVP

There's plenty of star power in this Madrid side. Jude Bellingham, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and, increasingly, Rodrygo are all going to see their kits fly off the shelves. Still, this has been Vinicius Jr's team for at least a year now.

The winger has turned from a very good player reliant on a Ballon d'Or winner playing next to him, into a world-class superstar in the last 18 months. And the 2022-23 season was his best yet. Vinicius recorded both 20 goals and 20 assists for club and country — and was once again crucial in Madrid's march to silverware.

Now, the expectations are even higher. Without his mate Benzema to pass to, the Brazilian might have to be even more selfish on the ball. But for an electric dribbler and increasingly-adept finisher, that might not be a bad thing. And with Kroos, Modric and Bellingham giving him regular service, he will only have more opportunities to produce moments of magic.

Expect a big season, and perhaps Ballon d'Or consideration if Madrid start winning trophies again.