Time for Real Madrid's new boys to step up

The first game of what promises to be a marathon month comes against Athletic Bilbao at the San Mamés, with Roma, Espanyol, Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, CSKA Moscow and Alaves to follow.

With the Champions League finally getting underway to accompany their LaLiga responsibilities there will be not time for 'Los Blancos' as they look to mount a genuine challenge in both competitions.

A game every three days is a genuine possibility, meaning that summer recruits Mariano Diaz, Alvaro Odriozola and Vinicius Junior are all likely to be called into action sooner rather than later as Julen Lopetegui looks to keep his squad fresh.

So far, none of the trio have featured for their new employers. with Mariano being kept on the bench during the win ove rLegnae,s having only trained for a couple of days following his move from Lyon.

Odriozola's position is complicated by the presence of Spain number one Dani Carvajal, with the Basque likely to be forced to wait until Lopetegui opts to rest Carvajal in order to be given a chance.

Finally, there is Vinicius. A prodigious talent, the Brazilian was sent to play for the club's Castilla 'B' team upon his arrival, largely due to his rough edges and tender age. However, he has impressed already at that level of football and could feature as Lopetegui rotates his attacking options in the weeks to come.

Indeed, 'Marca' claims that Vinicius' debut will come in the next seven games, though exacly which game continues to remain a mystery for now.

With a key stage of the season beginning in earnest for Real Madrid, it is up to their newest recruits to show that they are every bit as good or effective as the players they replaced in the squad.