Rafa Benítez has tried out the ‘BBC’ in the same team for the first time since taking charge as coach. The only change to how the trio lined up last season is the position of Gareth Bale. Cristiano Ronaldo continued in his preferred position out on the left and Karim Benzema as the central striker but Bale moved in from the right to play behind the Frenchman. His role as second striker came with the freedom to move to both flanks and play further forward alongside Benzema as the focal point of the attack. The right wing was occupied by Isco and then Martin Ødegaard. That position seems destined for James, who is still on holiday after his participation in the Copa América with Colombia.
The rest of the session went as usual (working on touch and numerical advantage and disadvantage). The most notable feature of the session was that Benítez stopped the mini match to give instructions on set-pieces, the first time the new coach has tested this out in training.
The philosophy remained the same: touch, pressure and intensity. The intensity was such that at one point Benítez had to ask for a bit more caution on the training pitch. After a challenge between Varane and Bale, Benítez asked to calm things down. Kroos and Carvajal were also involved in separate clashes with Isco and Ramos. They needed medical attention but nothing bad came of it. Madrid will return to training today at 17:30 local time (7:30 CET).