Re: The Official Real Madrid 23 - 24 Matchday Thread

[Turok_TTZ]

A win is a win even if its against a minnow. A fresh new title to add momentum to our season. Glory awaits.

Pathetico? They're called pathetico for a reason. Its time we avenge our loss earlier this season.

[The Madrid One]

I will echo what I see a lot of people saying, and which I think is wonderfully true.

This group of players, this dressing room, this team, gives awesome vibes of togetherness, happiness, and confidence. Surely part of it has to do with the positive dynamic that we're in, part of it is down to Ancelotti's man management, but also because the players themselves just seem to be a very good group.

With Zidane and the 4 out of 5 CL's group we could also feel that, I remember the phrase in Spanish that was said a lot at the time, "felizidane". (A play on the word happy in Spanish and Zidane's name). Evidently that dynasty left at the forefront of the fans' and the club's minds what a winning formula should look like in terms of the profile of the manager and dressing room and we are now seeing the fruits of the work that has surely been born from that. From this vantage point one can further understand the club renewing Ancelotti, they surely feel the good vibes and good work in the day to day. Ancelotti needs to keep us going in this upward trajectory.

This is the way.

There's a lot of youth in this squad, and also a lot of physical and technical exuberance. This team, if coached well, has players that can play total football if they want to, and I mean that in the Bayern Munich 12/13 & 19/20 sort of badass way more than the cryufist way.

Bellingham, Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Brahim, Endrick, ?Mbappe?, Davies?, Militao, etc, ... Looks like an impressive present and future can be possible.

Great victory.

[Thimmy]

I imagine the togetherness is a result of the players that we have recruited. I did read reports from Dortmund a while back, claiming that Bellingham was being quite judgemental of some of his team mates that he felt were under-performing. There were video clips circulating, showing him shout at some of his team mates. He seems to be a highly ambitious guy who won't ignore it when others aren't pulling their weight. That could be viewed as an indication of leadership qualities, but it could also be a sign of some egocentrism creeping up in someone who's otherwise been described as humble and hard-working. I like to think that it's the former.

Thankfully, he seems to be generally humble and un-dramatic, and it doesn't seem like he's caused any controversy as a result of it. It may not be talked about much outside of Man United, but not having any divas or egocentrics in the locker room can be quite decisive to a team's success. We do have a good balance of youth and experience in the team right now.

[Turok_TTZ]

Accursed simeone. It seems that farsa game drained us more than we realized. Pathetico will pay for this setback.

[futbol_bill]

Calma Turok, it was a nothing cup, very low on the priority list, as was the so called spanish super cup exhibition.

[Turok_TTZ]

Calma Turok, it was a nothing cup, very low on the priority list, as was the so called spanish super cup exhibition.

i havent forgotten the loss we suffered in the league earlier. The fact it was simeone's tinpot club smacking us in the back of our heads like we're some rando named andre leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

On one hand we're out of cdr which means lighter schedule so still a positive. On the other, we out by simeone's team of all teams.

Being punked by simeone smashed my plans for trolling some fanbases. Mierda.

[Cyborg]

I love Modric. He's legend.

He can't start these games tho.

Camavinga Kroos and Valverde has to be the midfield.

Lunin should stay in goal. Can't stand Kepa

[titosantill]

smh if girona wins this la liga title.....

[halamadrid2]

Well that was a close call. Unusual for VAR decisions to go in our favour.

But man that first half, how pathetic were we

[titosantill]

discussion topic: i haven't posted nor said anything but are we overreacting to kepa being bad or is dude just a traffic cone?

[futbol_bill]

He’s definitely not the Kepa that first went to EPL. At this point, I would play Lunin. He has earned it, and I would renew Lunin as well. He has my vote to be Courtois understudy!

[titosantill]

okay so its not just me that is looking at kepa like a bit garbage

[futbol_bill]

Oh it’s definitely not just you. Hala and others have been saying play Lunin and keep Kepa on bench for months!

Kepa is really unusual. Back 5 or so years ago, he was the hottest portero out there. He was beating out De Gea, who was supposed to be one of the best in world for NT starter role. I think he went to Chelsea for 60 or maybe 70M. Usually a portero blooms late. In his case, looks like he bloomed early and fizzled out. Although he still looks very young, he is now 29!

[Turok_TTZ]

discussion topic: i haven't posted nor said anything but are we overreacting to kepa being bad or is dude just a traffic cone?

1st goal he was unlucky.  2nd goal courtois aint stopping that either so no fault. 3rd goal that was called off he was very lucky as that was a 50/50 and the opposing player just happened to shoot it real nice and won the odds but lost to ref.

Id say unlucky but it seems bad luck follows kepa like a dark cloud and i dont think its a coincidence. Is it trust being the issue here? Well he hasnt earned it so big shame if thats the case.

In the end, id say lunin inspires more confidence. Kepa always seems nervous to me and that was my first impression from his debut. Shame it endured. As it stands he cant give lunin competition.

I dont think kepa will join us by seasons end. Unless lunin departs for more playing time.
Who knows how long courtois has got at the top level so i imagine if lunin were to stay beyond this season, he'd need to given significant reasons to stay on.

[halamadrid2]

discussion topic: i haven't posted nor said anything but are we overreacting to kepa being bad or is dude just a traffic cone?

He is definitely a traffic cone

[FennecFox7]

I agree. Kepa is costing us easy goals, he is a huge liability right now.

I do think we are lacking a bit of the penetration brahim gives. It’s tough because rodrygo isn’t playing too badly either.

[halamadrid2]

Even when Lunin made a mistake againat Atleti he saved us from at least 3 sure goals. Kepa doesn't give us that advantage. It's 1 shot 1 goal with him. I'd argue the first goal was a poor shot from their player, it was definitely saveable. Second goal noone saves.

It is definitely stipulated in his contract that he has to play a certain number of games. You'd be really biased to think Kepa is worthy of starting over Lunin.

[Turok_TTZ]

Even when Lunin made a mistake againat Atleti he saved us from at least 3 sure goals. Kepa doesn't give us that advantage. It's 1 shot 1 goal with him. I'd argue the first goal was a poor shot from their player, it was definitely saveable. Second goal noone saves.

It is definitely stipulated in his contract that he has to play a certain number of games. You'd be really biased to think Kepa is worthy of starting over Lunin.

Go watch the first goal again. Kepa did make contact with the ball before it went in. The shot wasnt poor. It was good enough to still go through despite hitting kepa's leg/foot first before hitting the back of the net. Thats why i said it was unlucky. If there was fault, kepa should have come out sooner as the backline failed to notice ramazani. Backline was more at fault for that goal.

Ofc kepa should have done better but hindsight is still hindsight at the end of the day. Kepa was just unlucky, sometimes a leg or a foot is enough to stop a goal. Just not his day.


Sorry bill. Truthfully ive never rated Kepa. He seems average with a streak of bad luck. Perhaps his journey to the d onkey league made him worse?

[halamadrid2]

The shot was weak and didn't go into the corner. It was more or less straight at Kepa. A Tibu definitely saves, I am 100% sure. Even a Lunin saves that but a Kepa is praised/excused for getting something on the ball. It's like a penalty that should be saved and is weak but the GK only gets a finger on the bakl

[Turok_TTZ]

The shot was weak and didn't go into the corner. It was more or less straight at Kepa. A Tibu definitely saves, I am 100% sure. Even a Lunin saves that but a Kepa is praised/excused for getting something on the ball. It's like a penalty that should be saved and is weak but the GK only gets a finger on the bakl

Funnily enough id put lunin over courtois on this. Ive seen courtois concede similar goals way too many times. If the shot was weak the finger or should i say toe touch would have been enough to stop it. You need to consider your choice of words more.

[halamadrid2]

That first half was tough to watch. Did much better in the second as usual

Cama>>>Tcho at CDM. Camavinga is crazy good, just needs to fine tune some things but he is amazing already

Fran with his best game so far. He was very good

Brahim with the first underwhelming game. Did not impact the game at all

Vini and Rodrygo partnership is terrible, time we break it up and start using Joselu in there. No matter how many times Carlo insists on using it, it won't get any better

Lunin with some nice saves in the first half

[Cyborg]

The team missed Bellingham in the first half, his drive. Valverde came on and brought some energy.

Camavinga is a starter for me. I'd have liked to see Guler start in place of Ceballos. Another creative player alongside Brahim.

Tchouameni over Nacho at centre back.

[halamadrid2]

That first touch of Arda in the last minutes was just nerves. Could've been his first goal.

Next couple of games are going to be tough and physically and mentally draining. We'll need Valverde's energy and hopefully we won't come out with a bunch of injuries.

Getafe away is probably our toughest game left. Need to bring the A game. And not start the bloody match 1-0 down.

[futbol_bill]

1st goal. From Modric to Lucas, a cross to Joselu and a great header to score. All three fresh legs starting this game!

[halamadrid2]

Great half

We can't exert much energy today because we are going to play a really tough game on Sunday.

[halamadrid2]

Well well Rudiger might be out against Atleti

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