Under Rafa Benitez there are expectations of major changes coming at the Santiago Bernabeu this upcoming season.

The biggest change might be where players on the time wind up on the pitch.

Under Carlo Ancelotti the team played a 4-3-3 that worked beautifully in 2013-14 but faltered badly in 2014-15. The reason for the differing success had to do with the hands Ancelotti was dealt and how they differed from one year to the next.

In 2013-14 he had the best hand he could ask for to play his preferred 4-3-3 with Xabi Alonso, Luka Modric and Angel Di Maria in the midfield. In 2014-15 he lost Di Maria and Alonso and had to replace them with James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos; both players were forced to play out of position for the entire year. While they both excelled, the team as a whole lost a great deal of balance and suffered.

Under Benitez, it is expected that he will employ his preferred 4-2-3-1, a formation that brings up many questions. The defense will undoubtedly see rotations with Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane (and anyone brought in during the summer) getting a chance to rest here and there throughout the year. Danilo and Dani Carvajal probably rotate on the right flank with Marcelo also rotating with either Fabio Coentrao or whatever player joins the team. Goaltending will be intriguing to be sure but the real question marks lie in the midfield and beyond.

Modric and Kroos may remain deep in the midfield as the two “holders,” but this time they are providing one another with a greater deal of support than was expected last season.

Of course under Benitez there is no way of knowing whether the two will be employed together or apart. Benitez is known for rotating his rosters and it is possible that the two play together some nights and with others on other nights.

So who are the options in the middle?

Modric and Kroos seem like the obvious choices as the two holders, but it is also possible that Asier Illarramendi will now get a chance to play in his natural position, allowing Kroos to venture forward a bit more or even tagging alongside Modric. Maybe it will become Casemiro who combines with Kroos or Modric, thus giving Benitez an option to mix his youngsters with a more experienced “veteran,” occasionally allowing the two stars to play together in bigger games. It would not be unsightly to see Casemiro and Illarramendi together against minnows. Lucas Silva is bound to find some time in there as well.

Now, what about the forwards?

With three attackers behind a central striker, Benitez would allow James Rodriguez and Isco to play their natural position, probably unlocking an attacking prowess that was often impeded under Ancelotti. Rodriguez was also quite good on the right wing, which might then allow for either Isco to play behind the central striker or even Karim Benzema to play in the hole.

What seems to be clear with this lineup is what roles Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo would have in this set up. Bale is a natural on the left flank, but rarely got time there because it was Ronaldo’s domain. With the Portuguese superstar becoming more and more of a striker, it is likely that Benitez throws him up top and puts Bale on the left.

This works for Ronaldo because it clears him of the responsibility of tracking back. He becomes the center of the attack and his lessened running also means that the wear on his body is also diminished. This translates to more goals and even allows Benitez to play him for more minutes without the risk of wearing his top star down. In the process he also avoids the sideshow that could come with telling Ronaldo to sit.

Ronaldo will likely get more rest this season, but this formation might be suited to allowing him ample playing time and getting the most of his goal scoring prowess.