With Real Madrid and Rafa Benitez set to kickoff their campaign on Saturday against Roma, we explore five big issues that are hanging over the coach and his squad:
1. Can Ronaldo's ego handle Bale at No9?
How will Cristiano Ronaldo handle Gareth Bale taking the spotlight at No9? Rafa Benitez hasn't been shy in showing off his tactical plans in Melbourne this week.
While he's spent the majority of his time on the pitch with his defenders, Benitez has shown his hand when it comes to his attack and the combination of Bale and Ronaldo. The Portuguese will occupy the left flank, with Bale playing centrally as a No9.
Last season, Benitez's predecessor Carlo Ancelotti invited heavy criticism when deploying the Welshman at right wing-back - John Toshack couldn't believe his eyes. Benitez has new plans for Bale, with bounce games this week either featuring him upfront in a 4-4-2, or behind Karim Benzema in a 4-2-3-1.
Ronaldo has appeared in good spirits, but withdrawing him from his central role will lessen his chances of successfully defending his Golden Boot crown, which he celebrated loudly as Real's title challenge collapsed around him last season.
Is this a power keg Benitez is threatening to light?
2. Is Keylor Navas ready to the headline act?
Is Keylor Navas ready for the biggest stage of all?
Navas is in Australia as Real's lone senior goalkeeper and with Iker Casillas now a memory, has a great chance of convincing Rafa Benitez he can be his No1 for the coming season. While a deal with Manchester United for David de Gea stalls, Real are haggling with Espanyol over terms for Kiko Casilla.
The former Castilla shot-stopper, Tribalfootball.com has been informed, would arrive to compete with Naylor toe-to-toe. No senior status would be established by Benitez before the start of the season. Everything will be up for grabs.
The opportunity is there for Navas to convince Benitez he can handle the job - beginning against Roma tomorrow.
3. Can Odegaard win over Benitez?
On the training pitch, Rafa Benitez has given Martin Odegaard a swerve for much of the week. The Norwegian has spent much of his time working closely with coach Eduardo Parra.
Parra has often been seen in deep conversation with the 16 year-old, whose status remains as a Castilla player - for now.
Benitez will use this tour to assess whether Odegaard is best served being registered with his senior squad, or loaned out. There's no chance of Odegaard remaining a Castilla player this new season with the squad still in the Segunda Division B.
Odegaard is expected to see some action against Roma tomorrow. He's certainly been more involved than fellow teens Marcos Llorente and Jose Carlos Lazo in training games this week.
4. Does Sergio Ramos look like he wants to stay?
Are we seeing Sergio Ramos' last games in a Real Madrid shirt? The defender's body language against Roma will be an interesting read.
Manchester United made a new offer for Ramos on Wednesday. It was an improved €45 million - exactly half of what Real president Florentino Perez is demanding to sell the centre-half.
Shorn of Iker Casillas this week, Ramos has been socialising more with senior teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Ramos and Casillas were inseparable, which actually fueled talk of a rift between the Spanish players and Portuguese speakers within the squad.
But he's been sticking close to Ronaldo in Melbourne as new locker room relationships need to built.
Rafa Benitez stated at today's 'presser' that Ramos wasn't for sale, "according to the president". But that demand for a new contract remains unanswered.
5. Is Danilo worth the money?
Forget the price-tag, can Danilo actually get a game? He's arrived as Real Madrid's - and the La Liga's - most expensive defensive signing. At €36.5 million, he also left Porto as the richest defensive sale in Portuguese football history.
Can he live up to such a price-tag? Can he handle the expectation?
But it may not be the record fee that holds Danilo back. Dani Carvajal's recent new deal should serve as a warning. The fullback had complained to friends that he feared he'd lose his place to Danilo, not on ability, but due to politics and the Brazilian's price-tag. But his re-signing suggests Carvajal has received assurances from Rafa Benitez that everyone begins with a clean slate.
It's still unclear whether Benitez will give Danilo his debut against Roma on Saturday. The fullback arrived in Melbourne in the final stages of his recovery from an ankle injury. He spent the first training session of the tour working with fitness coach Eduardo Parra, who was actually with Benitez at Liverpool.
No such problems for Carvajal, however. Which could mean the Spain international gets a head start on his expensive teammate this coming week.
