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Real Madrid have fewer reasons to welcome in the new year than most. Trailing Barcelona by 16 points, Jose Mourinho's team faces a disconsolate second half to the domestic season and a far-from-straightforward path to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

Win that competition, and the season will be considered a success. Fail, and even the consolation of the King's Cup won't smooth the ruffled feathers of Madridismo.

Mourinho has little power over the injuries that have undermined the domestic campaign, but he does have the opportunity to get some cover in January. Here are five areas of the field where Real could use a little backup.