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

[futbol_bill]

Camavinga WILL NOT stay at LB! You’re basically saying Bellingham will push Camavinga out!

Edit: you’re also listening to Marca bullshit that RMad have inside track on Bellingham! Why would a he want to go to Madrid when anyone of three or four rich clubs in his homeland want him? The day that RMad can get any top player in the world are gone! Particularly when we have already over past three years put in place our new midfield. And now add to the fact the cost escalation that will happen in the inevitable bidding battle plus the fact that Bellingham will require one of the three import quotas (the other two likely going to Endick and Tobias) which would mean no chance of signing the next promising South American for next 5+ years!

[The Madrid One]

Is Ceballos really actually evolving? Haven't been able to see our games recently but i've caught some highlights and Ceballos did manage to apparently muster some impressive highlights in the Valencia game. Ceballos has always been very ordinary with his passing range, can he really spray flank changing long balls and penetrative, vertical through balls at will now?

Also, how is Ancelotti's future looking? Surely this summer could be the time to push for one of the German aesthetes (Tuchel or Klopp). I was hearing some rumors when were losing a few weeks ago about Carlo, as is to be expected.

[halamadrid2]

At the moment our problem isn't  reeeaally having CMs who can spray key passes around but those who can help win us the ball back when we lose it, allow us to play with a highline, press from the top and join in on attacks. Ceballos has been a breath of fresh air in our otherwise pedestrian midfield that has been carved open by most teams. Him being on that left side picking up the pieces when Vini loses the ball has also been key. It means teams can't target that side like they usually do.

There might come a period when Ceballos' pointless sideways passes might get irritating but for the moment he is been the catalyst in our sort of upturn in form.

[halamadrid2]

Young team today without any of the old guards bar Dani.

Can't complain!

[halamadrid2]

Great game but terrible from the defence, Alaba in particular.

I like Valverde more as a winger than CM and Camavinga is such a good support player to Vini in attack. Hopefully we dip into the market for a WC LB

[halamadrid2]

Comfortable game. Want to see some Arribas early in the second half

[halamadrid2]

How did it take this long to let Alvaro have some minutes. He was so good in the little time he played today. Could he be the answer to our striker conundrum

[halamadrid2]

Great game. We started defending better in the second half but the first half was a shamble

[Clutch]

Very shaky to start but 2nd half was leagues better

[futbol_bill]

That fireworks last night had the opposite effect, Liverpool fans (hooligans) expected! It woke up Madrid!!

Best game since December!

[halamadrid2]

Although we defended better in the second half we really need to find a line up that works and stick with it. Teams target our left side and we need yo combat that by playing either Valverde or Ceballos there. Not Kroos and not Modric.

Was dissapointed with Rodrygo yesterday. I need to see far more from him than what he has shown these last couple of games because we won't always face a defensively disaster team like Liverpool every week. Atleti fot example will do their homework and target Vini, that means we need the other side to provide abit of variety and respite. Right now, Valverde is best of the bunch.

[futbol_bill]

I actually disappointed overall in Rodrygo this season. This was his chance to have a break out season and prove that he will be our RW of the future. He has not done that!

He does play overall well, but it isn’t a big improvement over last year. His optimal position isn’t RW. He can play LW but that is for Vini. He can play false 9, but that is for Benzema and later for Endick. He is only marginal better than Asensio, and while Asensio may or may not return next year, both are better coming off the bench than starting. For now the best option is Valverde, but club will be better off to find a legit RW starter and use Valverde in the MF.

By the way, I think our MF is great with all 6 of the contributing significantly. I expect Ceballos and Modric will renew and Kroos to retire this summer.

IMO, our issues are with defense We need new competent laterals, both sides and we need Rudiger and Alaba to return to previous form and be consistent. We need a RW and we need a proper CF to backup Benzema. And finally we need to shed the deadwood (Hazard, Mariano, Mendy, Vallejo) and replace them with players that can play and contribute.

That said, I still think this team is better than last year and if they play like yesterday, consistently, both the liga and CL are attainable.

[sportsczy]

Rodrygo is a CF. That's where he shines. His issue is that he is clashing with Carlo... Carlo wants him to playing more of a false 9 when Benzema is out and allow Vini to become more of a scorer. Rodrygo doesn't want that.

Don't blame Rodrygo frankly. He's 22 and wants to make a name for himself, not play a role. Carlo isn't to blame either as he wants the best for the team.

I think this one's headed towards a divorce this summer.

[halamadrid2]

Rodrygo's best position is SS and that's were he prefers to play. He is serviceable as a RW and false 9 and quite good on the left but we haven't got a spot for him there. I think he needs to realise that he needs to cater to Vini right now until they get a partnership going. It was painful watching him struggle against Osasuna. Yesterday he defended really well but didn't offer much offensively minus a couple of plays

[Perucho21]

Alaba was cheeks. Nacho did very well.

Next season our LB is covered with Mendy and Fran.

I think right now I'd still start Rudiger at LCB over Alaba.

[futbol_bill]

Sports, Hala,

Rodrygo is too small to be an effective CF and we won’t be changing to a SS formation any time soon. Regardless the kid has not stepped up his development this season. He would be acceptable at least for me as a backup to Vini or RW, but I don’t see him as a starter and I don’t think a false 9 is the right solution for backup to Benz. Also keep in mind in a year Benz’s hier will arrive to start the takeover of the 9 role!

Mind you I had said similar to Vini before last season. Perhaps he can surprise and suddenly burst out!

So added to the Asensio decision, you might as well add Rodrygo in the same decision process. We need a proper starting RW damm it!

so although I feel we will get by this season and do have legit opportunities to win both CL and liga, I feel a number of positions need improvement this summer.

Priorities:
LB - we need to shed Mendy and get a starter, with Fran coming back to be backup.
RB - presumabaly Tobias comes in to backup and start occasionally (a lot) when Dani is out.
RW - we need to find a starter
Backup forwards - shed Hazard and Mariano. Don't know what will happen with both Asensio and Rodrygo. If they both stay we need a proper 9 for backup.

MIdfield should be fine, Hopefully Ceballos stay and I think Modric will be renew for a year with Kroos retiring which could lead to adding one additional midfielder

CF - hopefully Rudiger and Alaba return to better form and we should shed Vallejo.

[futbol_bill]

I keep reading stories about Mbappe trying to find a way he can join Real Madrid?

Now I don’t believe any of them, but just for fun, let’s speculate on this. He seems insistent that his best position is LW and yet that’s were Vinicius plays and there is no way in hell he will be moved from that position. Mbappe could play as CF, but we have Benzema there at least for another year and as Haaland has said, he won’t come to be a backup for Benz. And we have Endick arriving in another year and club gave him assurances that they would keep the CF spot open for him. Mbappe could also play RW, which we have a need for someone in that spot. I know Sports said before Mbappe would not come without assurances the LW would be his! My question is would he consider RW if any of these stories are to believed?

[halamadrid2]

Well that's curtains for our league campaign. All hopes pinned on the two Cup competitions

[sportsczy]

Just too inconsistent.  Very typical for Carlo Ancelotti teams to needlessly give up points in league play I might add...  we were lucky that Barca was terrible last season.  We'll likely end up with the same number of point or thereabouts (mid 80s) in fact.

I think that it's time to give the young players playing time in La Liga and have them develop.  Rodrygo, Camavinga, Valverde and Tchouameni need to start pretty much all remaining La Liga games.  Save the veterans for cup games imo.

[Perucho21]

Sports, Hala,

Rodrygo is too small to be an effective CF and we won’t be changing to a SS formation any time soon. Regardless the kid has not stepped up his development this season. He would be acceptable at least for me as a backup to Vini or RW, but I don’t see him as a starter and I don’t think a false 9 is the right solution for backup to Benz. Also keep in mind in a year Benz’s hier will arrive to start the takeover of the 9 role!

Mind you I had said similar to Vini before last season. Perhaps he can surprise and suddenly burst out!

So added to the Asensio decision, you might as well add Rodrygo in the same decision process. We need a proper starting RW damm it!

so although I feel we will get by this season and do have legit opportunities to win both CL and liga, I feel a number of positions need improvement this summer.

Priorities:
LB - we need to shed Mendy and get a starter, with Fran coming back to be backup.
RB - presumabaly Tobias comes in to backup and start occasionally (a lot) when Dani is out.
RW - we need to find a starter
Backup forwards - shed Hazard and Mariano. Don't know what will happen with both Asensio and Rodrygo. If they both stay we need a proper 9 for backup.

MIdfield should be fine, Hopefully Ceballos stay and I think Modric will be renew for a year with Kroos retiring which could lead to adding one additional midfielder

CF - hopefully Rudiger and Alaba return to better form and we should shed Vallejo.

typical reaction, claiming for signings when there arent any great options.

Next season will be Mendy and Fran. Theres no better LB available than Mendy. Theo had his shot already and Davies wont be sold unless its on a free

No great quality starting RW either.

Weve found our backup ST with Alvaro. No need to relive the Jovic transfer with random scrubs from other leagues.

We are fine with CBs.

Asension should be released with Arribas taking his role. There is also Nico Paz having a great season with Castilla.

[futbol_bill]

Lol,  

typical reaction, claiming for signings when there arent any great options.

Talk with Hala about Mendy. He has been saying a lot about him for 3 years now and he may have sounded extreme at times, but bottom line he has been right. Club could go with Fran and use Alaba and Nacho when necessary and I would be ok with that.

At RB, I’m ok with Tobias with Carvajal.

And I’m ok with Midfield and centre backs.

Only thing I really asking for is to get rid of the dead weight (Hazard, Mariano, Vallejo) plus Mendy which will lead to opportunities within club as you seem to be suggesting.

Whether we need to go after a RW really depends upon Asensio and Ceballos decisions and whether or not Rodrygo can advance his development! Also there is talk of Brahim coming back from loan, apparently he is playing well at Milan this season.

So NO, I am not asking for signings. I’m only suggesting we get RW sorted out and getting deadwood out so perhaps, we can have entire squad working like midfield and CBs where there is lots of flexibility with all players contributing. E.g. IMO, we are far better off with a squad of 22 and use Castiila when injuries deplete squad.

[Perucho21]

Getting rid of deadwood is fine.

Selling Mendy without a starting LB will be completely stupid.

Alaba sucks at LB. Hes washed in that position.

Nacho is fine against La Liga minnows but would get torn apart against elite wingers.

Fran is a good prospect but hes not currently better in any way than Mendy.

If you sell a starter, you buy a starer. Im tired of the club not signing proper backups and using players out of position to plug in the holes. Its the reason why we are currently in the mess we are in.

And like I said, I dont see any world class LB available.

[futbol_bill]

You lost me when you said Alaba sucks at LB! Mendy is the one that sucks. You obviously haven’t seen Fran play. He’s definitely better than Mendy. Every time he plays he hurts the offense and he has become a liability on defense which is supposed to be his strength.

[Perucho21]

We've watched different games then Bill.

Alaba got torn apart by out of form Salah, and i commend Nacho for stepping up and showing Alaba and Mendy how to properly defend him (Mendys did well against him in the final but his defense has been questionable this season)

But would I put Nacho or Alaba against elite wingers? No. I love Nacho but age would catch up eventually, which is why I said he would do well agains low tier la liga teams.

I would sell Mendy in a heartbeat if better LBs are available. My point is there is not. The market for elite LBs are incredibly thin. So selling our only starting quality LB to play 2 aging CBs, a CM, and an unproven young LB, is really stupid. That would put us in the same predicament we are in now.

I say again, we really should start having proper backups for each position. Fran will be a great backup, so that area is fixed.

Backup ST is still needed but I personally have A LOT of faith in Alvaro. I think hes a star in the making and I've personally watched the south american u20s where I got to see how good he is. Would Alvaro be the backup striker? I personally would like it, but I think fans would want a more experienced backup

Right wing is a huge area of concern, since the market for RWs is also very thin.

Ill add also that I am incredibly excited about the young prospects we have in castilla, theyve been on a role. I am upset that Carlo has not been using them but at the same time, getting Castilla promoted would be a big plus so I can see why the club would be relunctant to use academy players when they are crucially needed at Castilla

[futbol_bill]

You sure are selective when picking your examples. You are pointing to the game in which Madrid schooled Liverpool! and Alaba was fresh back from an injury! Also you must realize that everyone no matter how great occasionally gets beat. And as you just acknowledged Mendy's supposedly strength has been a problem this year. And finally Fran is not just a prospect, he has been one of the top LBs in la liga for the past year.

I will agree with you that he should have been returned for this year (and shipped Vallejo out). Also same applies to right side, although I think the planned promotion of Tobias will resolve that concern.

and you said previously the mess we are now in??? What mess are you referring to? The fact that Carlo had to use Camavinga there for a couple of games? That hardly can be deemed a mess. If you are referring to la liga position, that is not just a LB issue.

and finally with your reference to Castilla, although there are good prospects there, the team as a whole is not strong with literally no chance of promotion and that is the problem. If they get rid of the deadwood and go with a smaller squad size then using the Castilla propects is more likely to happen.

As it stands now, we are likely going to see Fran, Tobias and Alvaro in 1st team next year and a good probability of Brahim returning. In midfield I see Modric staying another year and Kroos retiring. Pending the decisons of Ceballos and Asensio, next year's squad is pretty well set (except for all these stories of Bellingham, Mbappe etc)!

[Perucho21]

I cant wait for 2 CBs and a CM to start at LB next season!!!

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