With the first international break of 2019/20 now out of the way, clubs have the perfect opportunity to reflect on how well - or badly - they've started the new campaign. For Real Madrid there have been positives and negatives, as we'll delve into, so here are two things Zinedine Zidane can learn from the former European champions' start to the season.

Karim Benzema is key

The summer and August was very much a really trying time for Zidane and his troops. Real Madrid played two games in La Liga last month with mixed results and, on top of that, they got thrashed in the pre-season during the summer so the Frenchman didn't really have the best of times. But not all was gloomy and poor, and there's actually one good thing he can definitely learn from the games Real Madrid have played so far: Benzema is the key.

Watch Spanish Football Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

After losing Cristiano Ronaldo, it was obvious that the Galacticos would have some trouble replacing him, even if they had multiple stars in their team. But if these early signs are any indication, it seems that Benzema is very much ready to assume that role of the key man for his club in the Portuguese's absence.

So far, Benzema has not only scored twice and assisted one goal but he has also been an excellent all-round performer. He's averaged 3.7 shots and 1.3 key passes per game while also maintaining an incredible 92.9% passing accuracy.

Zidane just might have found a player to centre his squad around for the upcoming campaign and the Frenchman looks ready to accept that responsibility.

The outcasts should play

The summer was dominated with talk of Gareth Bale and his ongoing squabbles with Zidane. At one point, it was all but confirmed that the Welshman would be departing and trying to find his fortune somewhere else. But in the end, not only did Bale end up staying at Real Madrid but he also started racking up goals and good performances.

First, he bagged an assist on the opening day of Los Blancos' new 2019/20 La Liga season and then he went on to net two goals in their latest bout with Villarreal that ended in a 2-2 draw. Of course, Bale also got himself sent off in that game but his overall contribution was still very much felt on the end result.

One other player who was shining just before he got injured was James Rodriguez, Real Madrid's returning loanee who spent some time in Germany playing for Bayern Munich. He contributed with a satisfying performance that was rewarded by a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the Colombian seemingly still a fan favourite.

This should prove to Zidane that there is still place for the "outcasts" in the team and they should be a big part of his plan for the future.

[ad_pod ]