Re: The Official Real Madrid 21-22 Match Day Thread

[halamadrid2]

¡Nuestro ???????? inicial @eintracht_esp! @adidasfootball | #SuperCup pic.twitter.com/dxwquoP9Ja

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) August 10, 2022

No surprises in the line up

[halamadrid2]

Good half. Frankfurt defended really well for the most part but alittle too hasty in possession.

As for us Kroos is rolling back the years with this performance. Casemiro same old same old. Modric needs to get going too.

Militao has been awesome, so has Dani and Valverde.

Benz with a bad miss but he's come down and created an extra body in the midfield. Vini with a good end to the half.

Expecting space to be opening up next half meaning it'll be easier to get through on the wings.

[halamadrid2]

Great second half

Lost the momentum when we started making subs

If Valverde avoids injuries he'll be huge this season

Carlo seems to be turning Rudiger into a Nacho instead of putting the players where they should play and taking out the obvious black hole where balls go to dissappear

[Perucho21]

I'm a bit concerned on how Carlo will rotate so everyone can get proper playing time this season. Our depth is incredible. Our starters are not making it easy for them being dropped. In particular Militao ans Casemiro who criticized more often put on a masterful performance

[halamadrid2]

Carlo did say post match that he'll rotate more this season because of the WC

[Turok_TTZ]

I expect mendy to start! Hopefully we won't embarrass ourselves on matchday one as a few teams have already.

Don't about you lot but I'm quite confident that we will give a solid performance day 1 to remove all doubts.

Shame about Rodrygo's muscle overload though.

[halamadrid2]

Carvajal has been rested and Rodrygo has picked up an injury.

Hoping for Camavinga to start and Alaba at LB

[halamadrid2]

¡Nuestro ???????? inicial @U_D_Almeria! @UnicajaBanco | #AlmeríaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/GZ57UcgLhU

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) August 14, 2022

[Turok_TTZ]

A very interesting lineup. Maybe Mendy can attack more with this line of mids. Vasquez is a fighter. We won't miss carvajal too much.

If we are to triumph today, I expect camavinga and vinicius to step up. Benz could do it alone but it's time for the young to show the future is now.

[futbol_bill]

I wonder if this is some kind of record!

Alaba gets subbed in at LB for Mendy during a break for a free kick. He takes the kick, his first touch of the ball and scores!

[The Demon of Carthage]

I was happy he finally got to play in his natural position. I really don't understand why Carlo doesn't move him there permanently. I hope that's his intention eventually, and that he's only experimenting for now.

Also, Tchou and Cama need to do a lot more if they want to have a strong case to displace the old guards. No pressure though, they still have time.

[halamadrid2]

My word Alaba is 10x the player Mendy is. We attacked 40+ times from the left and I never saw him make one useful pass in attack. He is just there as a tactic to try and drag defenders away from Vini. Everytime you pass to him he doesn't know wtf he should do with it

I genuinely thought this would be one of those games where we have a million shots and still don't win

Uncharacteristically game from Benz. Was losing the ball alot, had a few good chances he missed and didn't run much. Looked injured in the second half after our first goal

I don't like how Tcho hides behind players and passes the ball lackadaisically, maybe it's just his demeanour I don't know but someties I feel like jumping into the TV and just shaking him. On the ball he plays some good passes though. Hopefully with a few games we'll start to see a different Tcho. Thought we scapegoated Cama with that sub. I actually thought he played really well

Rudiger another one with a shaky game. But I still remember the first few games of Alaba last season which were alot worse. It just looked like he wasn't on the same page as his partners with anything, neither the offside line, neither when to move up and pressure nor when to cover for Lucas

I thought the last sub was the wrong one. If you are defending a lead, the last thing you want is sub out your fastest player who could keep their defenders honest. Had we conceded, it would've been Carlo's fault.

[Turok_TTZ]

The statistics piss me off to no end. We were well below our standard. Having an excess of 60+% possession, 29 shots, 15 shots on target... Only to amount to 2 goals, one from a setpiece. Embarrassing. That is not controlling the game. That is amateur football and we're not amateurs.

A win's a win but god damn it we should have killed this game off sooner.

Benzema 2.5/10 the armband is on you m8, Why the inefficiency?

Carlo needs to drag rudiger by the ear and remind him not to sleep on a potential counter. Militao and Alaba I expect to remain the cbs if he has another howler like that.

Other than that, solid performance if we ignore the inefficient shooting and possession. The effort is there just not the final product.

I see some of ye want Alaba at lb (looking at you hala) but that's not gonna happen unless Mendy is out cold with injury. Alaba himself prefers to be cb and Carlo won't force it if he don't want it. No need to fix what isn't broken. Having said that, Alaba is a versatile talent but I only expect to see him at lb only on these conditions: Mendy out injured or as a substitute. Alaba is a natural CB and that's what he prefers. He talked to Carlo about it and Carlo agreed. I see no issue if Carlo has no issue.

[halamadrid2]

I thought the midfield dragged the pace of the game down. At the start I saw Benz and Vini moving about alot but were ignored. Became better in the second half when Modric was introduced who always tries to keep the ball in the opposition half even if he gets pressured.

Oh and the lack of players in the box when we attack irritates the hell out of me. Where is everyone????? Carlo needs to improve that. We can't go every game expecting Benz and Vini to create miracles from nothing. And the only way we can improve is to put a decent LB who can combine with Vini and Benz in attack. I can assure you we are going to score a hell of alot more goals with a good LB.

And regarding the elephant in the room. How has he gone under the radar. I suppose it's between him and Asensio for the last attacking sub, but my word I am sure I can pick a guy from Rayo Vallecano who can do his job

[futbol_bill]

You guys do realize this was the FIRST game of season, only 2nd real game!

Calma, lots of time to sort things out. This is Carlo, the guy who plays the same 11 over and over again, and yet in the two games, he has given all 7 midfielders and defenders, 8 excluding only Vallejo, plenty of meaningful action. Pretty obvious, he will rotate and likely won’t decide on his 11, until much later.

The only area that they are over worked is with Vini and Benz.

I see no-one responded to my question re Alaba scoring on 1st touch of ball!

[The Demon of Carthage]

I see no-one responded to my question re Alaba scoring on 1st touch of ball!

He's not the first:

[halamadrid2]

Let's see how well the players respond to being rotated. I still remember the players asking ZZ to stop rotating them so that they could get into rythm and promised him they'd win the league (which we did). I expect it'll be something similar this season.

Carlo just criticised Tcho and Cama for their poor games. Harsh on Cama imo. His only sin is getting silly yellow cards. Anyhow this'll probably make him more focused. Tcho on the other hand has different problems which could be due to nerves but I need to see improvements when it comes to his movements and positioning when we have the ball in our half. I also need him to be more physical or ruthless if you like when he challenges for the ball. Sometimes I see him pull out because he's scared of conceding a freekick. He won't last long being scared like that. Casemiro has no problem taking the player, ball, the reff and a chunk of grass with him when he sniffs the ball. I want that fighting spirit from Tcho not this laid back demeanour

[The Demon of Carthage]

Let's see how well the players respond to being rotated. I still remember the players asking ZZ to stop rotating them so that they could get into rythm and promised him they'd win the league  (which we did). I expect it'll be something similar this season.

Carlo just criticised Tcho and Cama for their poor games. Harsh on Cama imo. His only sin is getting silly yellow cards. Anyhow this'll probably make him more focused. Tcho on the other hand has different problems which could be due to nerves but I need to see improvements when it comes to his movements and positioning when we have the ball in our half. I also need him to be more physical or ruthless if you like when he challenges for the ball. Sometimes I see him pull out because he's scared of conceding a freekick. He won't last long being scared like that. Casemiro has no problem taking the player, ball, the reff and a chunk of grass with him when he sniffs the ball. I want that fighting spirit from Tcho not this laid back demeanour

Please tell me this isn't true. Did he really criticize them publicly in the presser post game? Only someone like Mourinho would do such a thing. Carlo on the other hand is like Zidane, never throws his players under the bus and always takes the blame for bad results.

Please don't tell me he really criticized them publicly.

[The Demon of Carthage]

He actually did, but not in a mean way:

The youngsters didn't play like they usually do. For what they do in training they deserve to play. They haven't done anything wrong, but they can do better

It's always better to criticize your players in private, face to face, and not publicly. In this case, I still think he should've said this privately behind closed doors to them, but it's not something mean so maybe it will serve as a motivational slap on the wrist.

[Turok_TTZ]

Let's see how well the players respond to being rotated. I still remember the players asking ZZ to stop rotating them so that they could get into rythm and promised him they'd win the league  (which we did). I expect it'll be something similar this season.

Carlo just criticised Tcho and Cama for their poor games. Harsh on Cama imo. His only sin is getting silly yellow cards. Anyhow this'll probably make him more focused. Tcho on the other hand has different problems which could be due to nerves but I need to see improvements when it comes to his movements and positioning when we have the ball in our half. I also need him to be more physical or ruthless if you like when he challenges for the ball. Sometimes I see him pull out because he's scared of conceding a freekick. He won't last long being scared like that. Casemiro has no problem taking the player, ball, the reff and a chunk of grass with him when he sniffs the ball. I want that fighting spirit from Tcho not this laid back demeanour

From Carlo

The younger lads didn't play like they usually do but I'm pleased with them. For what they do in training, they deserve to play. But on an emotional level, the game has weighed a bit on them. That is quite normal, they are very young, and the shirt weighs heavy.

Don't you dare be spreading false comments on my man Carlo, Hala. Carlo rarely if ever criticizes anyone. Carlo always defends the team, Even when at times they didn't deserve it (bale).

Bill is correct. Perhaps I overreacted. This is the league opener after all. We're still early in the season.
But hot damn do I hate inefficiency. Yet it's something to get used to. Because we're in the Carlo era. And Carlo football prefers quality over consistency. And today, we were inconsistent to our quality but our quality is high enough that it didn't matter.

Hope the team builds on this triumph and really kickstart things to come.

@hala the midfield today is young apart from kroos. Give it time it's not like fifa where you slot in players and all of a sudden we play faster and more direct football. Midfield play and confidence take time to build. We will only get better. Carlo is correct to be content with how the youngsters played. Let's not have unrealistic expectations. They did well all things considered. If anyone is at fault for anything it's rudiger but he's new to the team so I'll cut him some slack. He will find that la Liga has a much higher standard than the mule league. Some liberties he could have taken there won't fly here.


It has to be said though Almeria gave us a tough game for a team that was just promoted. I'm impressed.

[halamadrid2]

He actually did, but not in a mean way:

The youngsters didn't play like they usually do. For what they do in training they deserve to play. They haven't done anything wrong, but they can do better

It's always better to criticize your players in private, face to face, and not publicly. In this case, I still think he should've said this privately behind closed doors to them, but it's not something mean so maybe it will serve as a motivational slap on the wrist.

Yh, I would've preferred him giving them a recording of their performance in private. But it could be good for them taking abit of light stick, this mild version of Carlos is nothing like the Bernabeu booing. Carlo has also commented on Militao and Vini's poor performances in the past. I just hope they learn, that's all

[halamadrid2]

Let's see how well the players respond to being rotated. I still remember the players asking ZZ to stop rotating them so that they could get into rythm and promised him they'd win the league  (which we did). I expect it'll be something similar this season.

Carlo just criticised Tcho and Cama for their poor games. Harsh on Cama imo. His only sin is getting silly yellow cards. Anyhow this'll probably make him more focused. Tcho on the other hand has different problems which could be due to nerves but I need to see improvements when it comes to his movements and positioning when we have the ball in our half. I also need him to be more physical or ruthless if you like when he challenges for the ball. Sometimes I see him pull out because he's scared of conceding a freekick. He won't last long being scared like that. Casemiro has no problem taking the player, ball, the reff and a chunk of grass with him when he sniffs the ball. I want that fighting spirit from Tcho not this laid back demeanour

From Carlo

The younger lads didn't play like they usually do but I'm pleased with them. For what they do in training, they deserve to play. But on an emotional level, the game has weighed a bit on them. That is quite normal, they are very young, and the shirt weighs heavy.

Don't you dare be spreading false comments on my man Carlo, Hala. Carlo rarely if ever criticizes anyone. Carlo always defends the team, Even when at times they didn't deserve it (bale).

Bill is correct. Perhaps I overreacted. This is the league opener after all. We're still early in the season.
But hot damn do I hate inefficiency. Yet it's something to get used to. Because we're in the Carlo era. And Carlo football prefers quality over consistency. And today, we were inconsistent to our quality but our quality is high enough that it didn't matter.

Hope the team builds on this triumph and really kickstart things to come.

@hala the midfield today is young apart from kroos. Give it time it's not like fifa where you slot in players and all of a sudden we play faster and more direct football. Midfield play and confidence take time to build. We will only get better. Carlo is correct to be content with how the youngsters played. Let's not have unrealistic expectations. They did well all things considered. If anyone is at fault for anything it's rudiger but he's new to the team so I'll cut him some slack. He will find that la Liga has a much higher standard than the mule league. Some liberties he could have taken there won't fly here.


It has to be said though Almeria gave us a tough game for a team that was just promoted. I'm impressed.

Agree that's it's still early doors but it's still frustrating which is alright because Carlo can not hear us from here, although I'd love for him to hear me plead with him to play our strongest backline

I actually didn't think Almeria played that well. They weren't very good in attack other than when we made unforced errors and played with a highline that we should've exploited more. They'll need a lower block against Barca or Dembele will get a hattrick.

Anyways, next game up is away to Celta. Kroos' favourite team. Will be a really fun game.

[Perucho21]

30 shots so I would say we were very creative. Just couldn't finish because Benzema had an off night and their GK like every other La Liga GK we face just starts saving every shot

I do admire Carlo for his rotations but I don't think this was the game to do it. Yes its Almeria but being freshly promoted they have a chance to prove themselves and they almost did.

Everyone played well except Cama and Benzema imo. But 3 points to start the season is all I can ask for

Also, Asensio doesn't come on and Ceballos is probably prioritized over him now. Just leave man

[titosantill]

To be honest, I'm not a big fan of all these "falses" that Carlo seems to admire. I've never liked Valverde playing at right wing. I get it he's not bad and seems more comfortable than others who have been tried at that position. But positionless roles wether in football or basketball really bothers me. I just like people playing their actual roles not false 9s, false wing backs, false wingers or any of that.

Just a little rant, but more importantly how do you all feel about players playing out of position? Am I just overreacting or is this something I should actually be welcoming? I feel like cos of the success of di Maria at CM, Carlo has gotten a bit obsessed with playing people outside their role. What do you all think?

[futbol_bill]

Yeah, i think you are over reacting Tito.

He only only playing the “falses” when he doesn’t have a real alternative, i.e. no valid RW or Benz out and no valid CF. Even with DiMaria, it was a case of no valid LMF.

I actually think it’s a strength of the coach to make do with the valid talent he has. His experimenting with the fullbacks with Alaba, Rudgier, Vallejo and Nacho is all about finding out versatility capabilities should the need arise.

This season is all about, can Carlo adapt to using rotations more! And I think he is actually enjoying the challenge.

But these are just my views as I’m not as wrapped up in expecting instant success with a new squad as most on here seem to expect!

[sportsczy]

So here's the thing with Carlo:  At PSG, he did give time to Verratti and Rabiot.  However, it wasn't consistent minutes.  That's normal if you have regulars...  the issue here is that he put a whole new team in at once.  For example yesterday, you had Nacho/Rudiger/Vasquez/Tchoua/Cama all come off the bench and start.  That's 5 new players out of the 7 in defense and midfield.  There's no way that was going to work.  No cohesion and rightly so.  You're setting them up for failure.

I'd prefer if Carlos would keep 7-8 of the regulars in there and then bring in 2-3 newcomers.  And preferably, not all on the same line.

When i saw yesterday's lineup, I was expecting a struggle unless we scored first and early.  Half these guys never played together in a real game.

[Sponsored content]