The Real Madrid team that was beaten 5-1 on aggregate in last season’s Champions League semi-final by Manchester City has had a major midfield upgrade since that demolition at the Etihad.
But while Jude Bellingham’s arrival is good news for Carlo Ancelotti, the Madrid coach is missing his world class goalkeeper and has only just got his best defender back.
So is this a better or worse Madrid than the one that left the Etihad with its tail between its legs last season?
Real Madrid were beaten 5-1 on aggregate by Manchester City in last season's semi-finals
Carlo Ancelotti's side have undergone a midfield overhaul after their heavy loss to Man City
The keeper
Speaking on Spanish radio several weeks ago former Spain and Real Madrid keeper Santi Canizares referred to Thibaut Courtois as: ‘not just the best keeper in the world right now but the best I have ever seen.