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

[Turok_TTZ]

Where the hell do I begin...?

Don't care if it's a nothing trophy, you do not concede 3 to this inferior side. Especially considering its farsa of all teams.

Carlo needs to have a long discussion with the team after this game.

[halamadrid2]

Time to hit the panic button imo.

[Thimmy]

A bit frustrating that we need fullbacks and midfielders after selling Hakimi, Reguilon and Ødegaard in recent years. And we sold the latter for 30m euros

[halamadrid2]

We need fullbacks that participate in our attacking plays and do not leave our wingers stranded and we need midfielders who make runs into the box. Getting new fullbacks and Bellingham are priorities right now. Mendy is probably the worst LB we have had since I started watching RM and I am not exaggerating.

Rudiger is a mess on the ball, my word. Probably on par with Pepe. But the latter was a much better defender. But I am willing to give Rudiger a few more games as a starter to start forming an understanding with his partner. Alaba should not be a CB ehen we are in a dire need of a competent LB. Sod his request, until we get a good LB we should shift his ass there.

[halamadrid2]

Carlo should get a medal for holding himself from subbing Camavinga. We played so much better when Kroos went out. He offers 0 help defensively when we are getting overrun.

[futbol_bill]

Interesting is that it was the Spaniards that saved the day. Ceballos and Asensio made the difference, both playing extremely well and Nacho had a solid game. The only others that played well were Militao and Camavinga. Vinicius and Courtois were so so. The rest were awful!

Carlo scolded Rodrigo for his reaction to being subbed out!

Meanwhile Tchouameni, out injured chose to go to Real Madrid basketball game instead of supporting teammates (he did later say it was a bad decision on his part).

Carlo has his work cut out for himself to get this ‘Team’ back together and in form!

[Doc]

Carlo should get a medal for holding himself from subbing Camavinga. We played so much better when Kroos went out. He offers 0 help defensively when we are getting overrun.

I really really really really and again, really expected to see Cama off at HT but nope, stayed on.

I feel Carlo's son had to literally beg him not to do it though.

[halamadrid2]

Interesting is that it was the Spaniards that saved the day. Ceballos and Asensio made the difference, both playing extremely well and Nacho had a solid game. The only others that played well were Militao and Camavinga. Vinicius and Courtois were so so. The rest were awful!

Carlo scolded Rodrigo for his reaction to being subbed out!

Meanwhile Tchouameni, out injured chose to go to Real Madrid basketball game instead of supporting teammates (he did later say it was a bad decision on his part).

Carlo has his work cut out for himself to get this ‘Team’ back together and in form!

I agree. Mostly Ceballos who reallyreally made a difference when he came on for Kroos. We started to press higher and forcing turnovers from Villarreal. We just can't press high with Kroos and Modric and it was glaring against Barca and Villarreal. Ceballos deserves more gametime. Hope he gets a renewal because i think he can give us something different.

Don't understand why Carlo is treating Nacho like a fringe player. From what I've see of Rudiger he does not deserve to start over Nacho.

This Mendy-Vini combo isn't good for the both of them. Vini offers little support in defence and Mendy rarely offers support in attack. Getting a new LB should be priority number 1 in the summet (as well as RB).

I am going to give Rodrygo the benefit of doubt that he missed his handshake like Carlo said because he is a classy guy. I understand his frustration, if we'rehonest he's played better than Vini but Carlo to his credit is persisting with Vini to get him out of the patch of bad form he is in. We really need him in top form for the last stretch.

Benzema too is terribly out of form. He hasn't played alot due to injury so hopefully he starts picking it up soon.

I bet Tcho got permission to go to that basketball game but it's not a good look when you go during a really tough game. It wasn't a home game so did not need to sit in the stands. He'sapologised so that's that as far as I am concerned.

[halamadrid2]

Carlo should get a medal for holding himself from subbing Camavinga. We played so much better when Kroos went out. He offers 0 help defensively when we are getting overrun.

I really really really really and again, really expected to see Cama off at HT but nope, stayed on.

I feel Carlo's son had to literally beg him not to do it though.

Feel like he's being the fall guy for Kroos' lack of pressing, defensive contribution and rotation in that midfield. Also feel like Cama hasno idea how to operate next to Kroos. I know we keep saying this but it really is time to phase out Modric and Kroos.

[titosantill]

I've always wondered what's up with ceballos? Is it that he isn't impressing in training? The raw talent is there

[halamadrid2]

I think his problem stemmed from Zidane's dislike for him. We had to send him on a bunch of loans everywhere. In the end he didn't want to renew if he wasn't offered a bigger role. Carlo values him alot but the fact that his contract hangs in the balance makes it kind of difficult to start intigrating him into the line up. He always comes on though because Carlo likes him alot. I hope he stays.

[titosantill]

I always wondered about that, I kinda started noticing the talent in that game where he netted a freekick, I think it was against betis, under Santi Solaris regime, and we had no idea how to score in that game. But yeah the loan spells always through me off, like why can't he get a run of games in the middle of the park.

In all honesty, ceballos aside, this to me is the time to experiment, rotate and give players confidence. The league is relatively open in this era- a draw is no longer like a loss. Barcelona will drop points. I'd like us to be careful and not run the same players into the ground. Especially as we might not make major signings in the next 3 or 4 years.

[halamadrid2]

Both Kroos and Modric dropped. Better late than never I guess but ballsy move from the otherwise cautious Carlo.

[futbol_bill]

Much better performance. The three Spaniards started and were key again. Hala - i’m now predicting that both Ceballos and Asensio renew!

Interesting Rodrygo after getting scolded by Ancelotti last game didn’t start today and yet when he came on, he made key play for Kroos’ goal. This game Carlo told off Vinicius! Doubt if he will be benched but I do think Carlo is teaching these kids!

Improved play from Benz and Rudgier and midfield of Camavinga, Ceballos, Valverde was good. Still room for improvement, but much better than last two games.

[sportsczy]

Ceballos also flopped in EPL. Nothing to do with Zidane specifically. His issue was that he had a bad attitude (sense of entitlement) and clashed with teammates due to his arrogance (several fights in training). That got beaten out of him as teams just let him go... humility set in.

Good for him, though. Most people don't learn humility until much later in life, if ever.

[sportsczy]

Also wanted to point out that Bellingham is an absolutely must-get... besides Mbappe and then Haaland, he's the next best talent. Complete beast.

Going to be hard beating out EPL teams though. Don't believe what Marca writes in terms of what he "prefers". He's English.

[futbol_bill]

Also wanted to point out that Bellingham is an absolutely must-get... besides Mbappe and then Haaland, he's the next best talent.  Complete beast.

Going to be hard beating out EPL teams though.  Don't believe what Marca writes in terms of what he "prefers".  He's English.

I think you purposely misstated the sequence! Lol

Although Bellingham would be great, it is really doubtful he comes. I too don’t believe Marca! Besides the price tag there is also an non European spot required. Two of them are going to Vinicius Tobias and Endick. Using the third would mean another 4 to 5 years before another import could be signed. Carlo said the other day that he prefers his three (Tchouameni, Camavinga and Valverde) plus likely Ceballos. If he did come, one of the three would have to go!! Hard to rationalize that with how all 4 have played this season. Plus there still are Kroos and Modric, although I suspect at least one of them, if not both will go this summer.

[Thimmy]

Ceballos also flopped in EPL.  Nothing to do with Zidane specifically.  His issue was that he had a bad attitude (sense of entitlement) and clashed with teammates due to his arrogance (several fights in training).  That got beaten out of him as teams just let him go...  humility set in.

Good for him, though.  Most people don't learn humility until much later in life, if ever.

He was also very streaky with his performances there. Some of my colleagues who are Arsenal fans were fans of him initially, when he had only just joined the club on a loan and was working his ass off in every match. It didn't take long until his form dropped to the point where they occasionally thought he was a burden to the team.

I know I have a tendency to go on a rant about consistency, but that really is a key attribute that any valuable player should have. I don't think talent matters much if it's not paired with a decent amount of consistency. If talent was all that mattered, then the ever increasing drops in consistency from our aging players would never be an issue, and we'd accept having players in the starting 11 that only excel as super subs or impact players in short tournaments.

Coincidentally, consistency is probably the main reason why I'm such a big fan of Bellingham. I don't think he's as naturally talented as I see some people make him out to be these days. I assume those people never watched him play regularly. But he has a high level of talent, coupled with a good brain and a high work rate. He's been like that since the day he got his debut for Dortmund as a mere 17 year old. I really appreciate stable performers like him, and it's mindblowing that he's only 19.

[sportsczy]

Ceballos' most significant issue was the end product in my eyes... he made a lot of sideways and useless passes. Not really creating anything impactful on the attack and a liability on defense.

The jury is still out on what his actual contribution is, frankly. But at the very least, his off-the-pitch problems seem solved.

[Thimmy]

Ceballos' most significant issue was the end product in my eyes... he made a lot of sideways and useless passes. Not really creating anything impactful on the attack and a liability on defense.

The jury is still out on what his actual contribution is, frankly. But at the very least, his off-the-pitch problems seem solved.

I didn't watch Arsenal regularly while he was there, but I do remember him creating a lot of danger in the final third during his early days as an Arsenal player. He has that never say die attitude when he provides drive and energy, but there's clearly a limit to that mentality.

I watched them again over a month later, and he was just hogging the ball and not really doing anything productive, which is basically what you allude to with the support passes. From what I can tell, he's best used as an impact sub, but I doubt that's the role he wants. I'd love for him to prove me wrong. He still has relative youth on his side.

[futbol_bill]

I think it’s all up to him. Right now, his coach has confidence in him and he is playing well. He said he wants to feel important and seems happy. However Betis would like him back, at their salary level, and he would be a set starter there. If he choses Madrid, it will be for more money than Betis, but will be a backup roll. I don’t believe he is interested in any other clubs!

I do agree with both of you re the past, but I do think he has matured. He actually has been over his problems for quite some time now, but last season was a write off because of that severe injury he sustained at Olympics before the beginning of last season.

And re Bellingham, for sure he looks like a top player and every club would like him. But Marca etc are not being realistic about the odds against him joining Madrid! Folks just don’t want to believe, we no longer can sign any player we want!

But why are we talking about Ceballos AND Bellingham? If you want comparisons (for Madrid), it should be Bellingham, Camavinga!

[halamadrid2]

So Camavinga as a CDM huh. I've liked him more there than Tchouaméni. Hope they switch positions.

[sportsczy]

So Camavinga as a CDM huh. I've liked him more there than Tchouaméni. Hope they switch positions.

Or we would switch to a 4231 with both Tchou and Cama staying further back. Too bad we don't have Odegaard... it would be perfect for him.

[FennecFox7]

Ceballos having no mention in starting by some sections of the fan base is absolutely mental. He was critical in our last two wins. I want him with cama and Tchou. Kroos and Modric haven’t been bad by the way. But we need to rotate them and sub them out early. They can’t play every game. The class is there but they’re too slow. It’s made worse because our fullbacks are in awful form.

Also, if Vini doesn’t start passing the damn ball, rodrygo needs to be breathing down his neck for that position. Funny enough, Vini’s goal scoring improved over the years, but his decision making is atrocious right now

And this is an unpopular opinion, but I actually like Valverde as a right winger. He’s an excellent goal scorer. He’s also very underrated with dribbling and carrying the ball, and he provides crisp, sharp passing. His issue is Carvajal and LV. Both are serious disasters every game and he is having to cover for their mistakes and attack at the same time.

We just aren’t creating as much as of yet, which is partially due to Benz still getting his groove, and he’s not getting the ball in dangerous positions. Ceballos could be the answer to that. It’s worth a shot

[Thimmy]

Time to put Morata next to Pedro Leon, Huntelaar.. and the endless list of former players who scored against us.

[halamadrid2]

Camavinga vs Atletico:

• 79 passes (91%)
• 14 ball retrievals
• 12/14 duels won
• 8 fouls won
• 3 tackles
• 2 clearances
• 2 interceptions

The official MOTM. pic.twitter.com/GDwNVA4b5U

— TC (@totalcristiano) January 26, 2023

This kid is the real deal. Jusr don't pair him with Kroos

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