Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid are back at work and are doing so with many players still on holiday, so are starting with the Castilla side and aim shape the first training sessions of the season with a minimum number of players.

The Italian coach has a lot of uncertainties to clear up, starting with tactics, how to position the new players and, above all, how to make up for the absence of Karim Benzema, a key player in recent seasons.

As usual, at the same time as work begins, club president Florentino Perez and general manager Jose Angel Sanchez will meet with Carlo Ancelotti to discuss all the outstanding issues.

Those include, finalising the pre-season planning and talking about the current squad in terms of possible departures and the possibility of any new signings.

This time, there will be another issue that is unusual in this type of meeting and that is none other than the subject of the Brazil national team.

Ancelotti is aware of Brazil's interest in signing him, and even Ednaldo Rodrigues has been in contact with Valdebebas to comment on the situation.

What they did not expect was the official announcement of the Italian's arrival on the Brazilian bench on June 30.

Rather than being liked or disliked, it may have created a bit of uncertainty around the coach.

That is why Ancelotti wants to clarify everything and make it clear that his absolute priority at all times is with Real Madrid.

The dialogue between the club and the coach is constant, but the truth is that the distance caused by the holidays and the comments made by the CFB president might have thrown more than one person off balance.

There is nothing better than talking it over and resolving any possible tensions.

Way of playing

In terms of the style of play, the squad set-up has changed and Ancelotti will opt for a clear change in shape, with a diamond formation in midfield as a starting point.

Bellingham at the apex, with Rodrygo and Vinicius in attack. This change is more necessary than ever.

As such, he will introduce a fourth midfielder, the most stocked position in the squad.

With Joselu on the pitch, the formation will revert to the more traditional 4-3-3.

The arrival of Arda Guler opens up more possibilities in attack, as he initially arrives to add to the attacking department of the team, rather than as a midfielder.

Time and adaptation will dictate his involvement and presence in the team.

Asensio, Hazard, Mariano and Benzema have left, while Brahim, Joselu and Arda Guler have arrived.

In theory, there is still one place left, which is the big question to be answered in the coming weeks. Either with a No.9 or with the aforementioned signing of Mbappe.

Fran Garcia looks set to play a more important role than some thought. Doubts about Mendy's future are still on the table.

Three consecutive pre-seasons

Carlo Ancelotti begins his fifth pre-season at Real Madrid, the third in a row.

In his long coaching career, which has spanned 28 years since he started in July 1995 at Reggiana, only during his time at Milan did he have three successive seasons in charge of a club. In total, seven in a row.

Throughout the rest of his career, he has never managed to string together the three in a row.