2023–24 Real Madrid CF season

2023–24 Real Madrid CF season
The 2023–24 season is Real Madrid Club de Fútbol's 120th season in existence and the club's 93rd consecutive season in the top flight of Spanish football. In addition to the domestic league, Real Madrid is participating in this season's editions of the Copa del Rey, the Supercopa de España and the UEFA Champions League.
This season is the very first time since 2008–09 not to feature Karim Benzema, who departed to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, and the first since 2015–16 without Marco Asensio, who left Los Merengues to join French side Paris Saint-Germain.
Summary
Pre-season
On 3 June, at the end of the 2022–23 season, Madrid announced the departure of Marco Asensio due to the expiration of his contract, with the player having spent seven seasons playing for Los Blancos. On the same day, the club said goodbye to Mariano and Eden Hazard. The following day, Madrid announced an agreement with Karim Benzema for the club captain to depart in the summer after 14 years of service, with the Frenchman leaving the club as the joint-most decorated player in Real's history, having won 25 trophies. On 9 June, Madrid confirmed the return of the former club's academy player, Fran García, triggering the release clause to sign him from Rayo Vallecano on a four-year contract. The next day, Madrid announced that Brahim Díaz will be part of the first team for the 2023–24 season, additionally extending his contract until 2027. On 14 June, Madrid announced the signing of young midfielder Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, penning a six-year deal with the Englishman. Five days later, Madrid brought back another club's youth academy product, signing Joselu on a one-year loan from Espanyol. On 21 June, Toni Kroos renewed his contract with the club until 2024. The next day, Madrid announced that the club's new captain, Nacho, had extended his contract for one more season, keeping him at Real until 2024. On 23 June, Dani Ceballos extended until 2027. Three days later, Madrid and Luka Modrić agreed on a one-season extension, with the Croatian signing a contract until 2024. On 6 July, Madrid announced the signing of Arda Güler from Fenerbahçe, agreeing a six-year deal with the Turkish talent. On 15 July, Jesús Vallejo joined Granada on a season-long loan.
August
On 12 August, Madrid started their 2023–24 campaign with a 2–0 win at the San Mamés, beating Athletic Bilbao in the first matchday of La Liga with a strike from Rodrygo and Bellingham's debut goal. Two days later, following Thibaut Courtois' ACL injury, Madrid signed Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea as his replacement on a season-long loan deal. On 19 August, Madrid took on Almería on the road and managed to get a 3–1 win, thanks to a brace from Bellingham and a goal from Vinícius Júnior. Six days later, a late Bellingham header helped Madrid to obtain a narrow 1–0 away win against Celta Vigo and continue their perfect league start.
September
On 1 September, the deadline day of the summer transfer window, Álvaro Odriozola returned to Real Sociedad on a permanent basis. The following day, a close-range goal from Joselu and Bellingham's injury time winner gave Ancelotti's side a 2–1 comeback win over Getafe in their first league game of the season at the Santiago Bernabéu. After the international break, on 17 September, second-half goals from Federico Valverde and Joselu earned Madrid a 2–1 home win over Real Sociedad, extending the team's winning run to five games. Three days later, another late winner from Bellingham clinched Madrid a 1–0 win against Union Berlin in the first matchday of the Champions League. On 24 September, Ancelotti's side suffered their first defeat in the season, as the away Madrid derby match against Atlético Madrid ended in a 1–3 loss, with the team's only goal coming from Kroos. Three days later, Madrid defeated Las Palmas 2–0 at home, as Brahim and Joselu got on the scoresheet. The last match of September ended in another win for Real after they beat Girona 3–0 away on 30 September to reclaim the league's first place, courtesy of goals from Joselu, Aurélien Tchouaméni, a debut one for the Frenchman, and Bellingham.
October
On 3 October, finishes from Vinícius and Bellingham, as well as an own goal, got Madrid a 3–2 turnaround win over Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in their second Champions League match of the season. Four days later, Osasuna was beaten 4–0 at home, thanks to a brace from Bellingham and goals from Vinícius and Joselu. After another international break, Madrid returned to play on 21 October with a 1–1 away draw against Sevilla, as Dani Carvajal got on the scoresheet. Three days later, Madrid faced Braga away from home in the Champions League, beating the Portuguese side 2–1 with goals from Rodrygo and Bellingham. On 28 October, Bellingham scored two goals to give Madrid a late 2–1 comeback victory over Barcelona at the Olímpic Lluís Companys in the first El Clásico of the season. Three days later, Vinícius prolongated his agreement with the club through 2027.
Players
Transfers
In
Out
Contract renewals
Pre-season and friendlies
On 13 May 2023, Real Madrid announced they would travel to the United States to participate in the pre-season Soccer Champions Tour for the second time since last year's summer activity.
Competitions
Overview
La Liga
League table
Results summary
Results by round
Matches
The league fixtures were announced on 22 June 2023.
Copa del Rey
Madrid will enter the tournament in the round of 32, as they had qualified for the 2023–24 Supercopa de España.
Supercopa de España
Madrid qualified for the tournament by winning the 2022–23 Copa del Rey.
UEFA Champions League
Group stage
The group stage draw was held on 31 August 2023.
Statistics
Squad statistics
Goals
Clean sheets
Disciplinary record
Awards
La Liga Coach of the Month
La Liga Player of the Month
La Liga Play of the Month
Mahou Player of the Month
Notes
References
External links
Real Madrid CF seasons
Real Madrid
Real Madrid