Real Madrid's season is at an end.

The failed season led to the firing of Carlo Ancelotti, but there are many that would look at the situation and question which players were at their best. Which players performed up to standards and which were poor all season long?

In this three-part series, we will look at Madrid's different positions and grade its players based on their performances in 2014-15. In this first edition we will look at the goalkeeping and defense.

Goaltending

Iker Casillas: The captain was shockingly given the starting spot at the beginning of the season, inciting rage from fans who wondered why the skipper got the nod over the more in-form Keylor Navas.

They were in for a roller coaster of a season as Casillas went from down right abysmal to sublime in late December. Highlights for him included the first Clasico in which he made a huge save to deny Lionel Messi from making the game 2-0. He also stopped two penalty shots in a row in December in both Spain and the Club World Cup.

However, the keeper imploded in the early and latter stages of the season with his weaknesses on setpieces coming to the fore in a way that had never been seen before. It was a nervy campaign for the legendary keeper who is now a shadow of his best self.

Grade: C, a passing grade but an indication that he is not a high caliber keeper at this stage in his career.

Keylor Navas: The new keeper might not survive another year at Madrid, mainly because he was barely given a chance to cement his position in 2014-15.

He played over 3000 minutes for Levante in 2013-14 but did not even crack 800 over all competitions for Los Blancos. He was decent when called upon but hardly great. This is far from his fault, however.

Grade: Incomplete because he never really got a chance.

Defense

Sergio Ramos - Real Madrid's main man on defense had another up and down season. He did not have any season-defining moments like he did a year ago in Lisbon and he also struggled on the defensive side of the ball at times.

That said, Ramos is the team's true leader and he took on the risk of playing as a defensive midfielder to help his squad in dire need. He was mediocre in the role, but one could hardly criticize him for it. He did manage seven goals over all competitions, so his offensive contribution was not lacking. But this was not a banner year defensively from Spain's main man.

Grade: B, solid but hardly outstanding.

Pepe: He had a solid year overall, but there is no overlooking the fact that Pepe's lack of speed and regression was hurting this team at points in the season. He had a huge moment against Barcelona in the Clasico, but was hardly the dominant force that he was last year against Bayern Munich in the semifinals of the Champions League. A decent year, but certainly a sign that the Portuguese defender might no longer be this team's top option.

Grade: B

Raphael Varane: The Frenchman had some worrying moments, particularly at the end of the campaign, but he was tremendous for most of the year, showing off his intelligence behind the ball as well as an increasing confidence in the air. He led the team in clears per game and was also Top 2 in interceptions per game. He did all of this while being 18th on the team in fouls per game, a sign of restraint, intelligence and maturity. He should be among the starters next season.

Grade: A

Dani Carvajal: The right fullback started the year on fire, but seemed to lose his way as the going got tough. By the end he looked more and more fatigued and less able to get back and defense the spaces behind him. He led the team in tackles, was top-3 in interceptions and was top-5 in clearances on the team, so his defensive work cannot go unnoticed. He offered three assists in Spain as well and was often a threat on the right flank.

Grade: B

Marcelo: His defensive work leaves a lot to be desired, but it is clear that Marcelo is extremely vital to Madrid's offensive game. When he is clicking, the team is scoring. He finished the season with four goals and nine assists in all competitions, the best numbers of his career.

Grade: A

Fabio Coentrao: Not a banner year for the Portuguese defender who missed time with injury and was nowhere near the top of the team in any defensive categories. At this stage in his career, it is becoming clear that he is replaceable.

Grade: C

Alvaro Arbeloa: A season filled with its own ups and downs for the Spartan defender, but it is also clear that Arbeloa is not cutting it anymore as a Real Madrid player. He is nowhere near the top of the team's main defensive categories except for fouls committed per game where he ranks second behind Sergio Ramos. Considering that he played half the minutes of Ramos, it is rather damning that the veteran commits close to as many fouls in far fewer minutes. His lack of speed has always been a problem, but now it is a liability.

Grade: C-

Nacho: He was solid in limited minutes (under 700 in Spanish competitions) and was in the top-10 in all the major defensive categories. He was ninth on the team in fouls per game, which showed his prudency, but at age 25 it is becoming increasingly clear that he is a bench option at best. For what it's worth, it was a good season for the defender.

Grade: B+