Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich, 2016 preseason: Match Preview

Real Madrid will face Carlo Ancelotti for the first time since the Italian manager left the club a year ago. Ancelotti conquered La Décima for Madrid and then struggled the next season after Luka Modric injured his groin playing for Croatia. President Florentino Pérez ultimately decided to sack him and hire Rafa Benítez. That didn't end well, obviously, unless Pérez's plan was to give Zidane the reins of the first team all along.

Ancelotti took a year off and now he is replacing Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich. It is great job for him, as Bayern are the heavy favourites to conquer the Bundesliga and Ancelotti has always had great success in the Champions League. He's signed Mats Hummels and Renato Sanches while he will keep Robert Lewandowski around. All in all, the Germans have a very powerful team that should be contending for European glory next season.

Today will be Real's last friendly of the preseason before Los Blancos take on Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup Final. Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale, Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo are still out while it seems that Karim Benzema could not be available, meaning that Zidane might need to keep him on the bench in the Final, which will be played on August 9th.

The French coach must find an offensive line that works for him with players like Morata, Lucas Vázquez and possibly James Rodríguez, who should get some minutes for the first time this summer just like Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric.

If Asensio keeps showing his potential, it would not be crazy to see him starting or playing some relevant minutes against Sevilla. He's in great condition and Zidane could either use him or Isco to play on the left wing.

This friendly against Bayern is the last chance for men like Kovacic or Asensio to prove that they can contribute now.