So actually anticipating this quite a bit simply cos wanna see Mbappe... hes gonna start right? This is a proper trophy so Real gonna field their best lineup or not?

Does Atalanta have any chance or will get smashed?

9pm... so late... I know Spanish generally do everything late... but often still struggle to wrap my head around playing matches that late... meaning all the ppl involved must get home n into sleep like well into the am hours?

I can't wait to see what Ancelotti decides tbh, who is going to play where in attack and midfield.

Camavinga injured so midfield picks itself and the chance of Mbappe featuring from the start just went up

I’m hearing the starting lineup will be;

Carvajal.  Militao.  Rudiger.   Mendy

          Valverde.          Tchouameni

                     Bellingham

  Rodrygo.        Mbappe.         Vinicius

I think that lineup is basically how it will look for most of the season. There will however be lots of rotations. The most obvious regular substitutions will be Güler in for either Rodrygo or Bellingham. Modric in as second half sub into midfield. Likely regular rotation between Tchouameni and Camavinga. I think Dias will get a lot of late game substitutions, Endick will be used sparingly (this his first season in Europe). Ceballos won’t see much action. On defense, there won’t be a lot of substitions until Alaba is fully recovered. There could be regular rotation at LB if Davies does arrive in next 2 weeks.

One goal that Carlo has stated is regular rotations as a way to see all players getting action but also to keep all players fresh in this long season. It may go on to mid July (new world club cup will be in July) and Real may have 70 games this season! The issue then may be defense in terms of being fresh! Likely Lunin (or Kepa, if Lunin leaves) will play Copa games to give Courtois some rest, as well Copa games will likely be opportunities for Ceballos, Modric, Lucas, Endick, Dias, Fran (if Davies doesn’t come) and the 4th CB, whoever that may turn out to be, at this point maybe Vallejo).

What is going on with the center backs anyway, the last time Militao started a game he looked out of place. Alaba is out until next season? And Nacho is gone.

Ancelotti must be confident Militao just had some rust to shake off.

Alaba is not out for season, just not ready yet. They have Tchouameni available if needed. The 4th CB will likely be someone from Castilla or Vallejo.

It's not rust after an ACL injury. It takes 4 to 6 months to recovery from surgery then another 3 to 6 months to get timing back. Plus some lose speed and there is a natural reaction to be overly cautious in making turns.

So Alaba will be out for a long time? Like into 2025?

Im a fan of Camavinga so too bad hes out, n Im also very interested to see how Real will play in midfield when they dont have Kroos or Modric nowadays, who is good enough to run the midfield? If not they will have to change their game a bit to play more direct, n if Ancelotti does go for the front 3 with Bellingham behind it will be exciting But vs the top teams usually would revert to safer option n drop prolly Rodrygo I imagine?

The likes of Dias deserves a lot of playing time too cos hes been consistently good

Trying to stay up for this first competitive game of the season, bill's mentioned predicted attacking lineup from Real Hopefully lots of goals n entertainment...

Remembering the Europa final, Atalanta raised their tempo so high n pressed Leverkusen non stop... wonder if they'll be able to do that to Real who might not be good at playing out of the press now with no Kroos/Modric... or just boot it up to the front 3 n Atalanta decide to park the bus?

Most of our players only came back to training last week and have 0 match practice. I expect Atalanta to dominate

I remember when there was a rumor that Perez doesnt like black players and now Madrid have only black players

WTF is Vini on about, he almost injured that guy and is screaming in his face

despicable person

first game of the season and hes already on my nerves lmao

Bellingham has been amazing so far, someone shackle that beast already

Myesyats wrote:WTF is Vini on about, he almost injured that guy and is screaming in his face

despicable person

first game of the season and hes already on my nerves lmao

Yh I don't know what that was about. He stepped on him ffs

Man Jude, Vini, Mbappe is going to be fire

Jude MOTM but could easily have been Vini. Amazing amazing performances

Bellingham is the best Real Madrid player.

Vini... Smh.

Vibe wrote:Bellingham is the best Real Madrid player.

Vini... Smh.

They were both amazing tonight

I wasn't talking about his performance

Vibe wrote:I wasn't talking about his performance

You mean overall?

Vini is clearly our best and most important player

Just take this game until our first goal  everyone playing below their levels apart from Vini who then also creates the first goal. After that goal it becomes exhibition time for Jude and Vini

Jude's defensive effort is amazing but I am afraid tgat he'll burn himself out like last season

We haven't lost a game that Jude has missed and only lost one without Vini. We have shown amazing ability to adapt to players missing. Brahim has been amazing covering for all out absentees in the attacking positions

It'll be the same this season.

Our most important players imo are Tibu, Valverde, Vini, Jude, Rudiger, Dani and Mendy.

Nah who made this ? pic.twitter.com/1hSsLqwSob

— 🅓🅞🅝🅨 ​​ �🥷 (@RmaDonyfc) August 14, 2024

It was a bit strange to see Vini occasionally drop deep. He's not associated with defensive effort, but he might have to start doing it more frequently in this setup. Like Hala, I really hope Jude doesn't burn himself out before the second half of the season again.

Bellingham was the best player in this game by a mile, not Vini. It's only when he turned it up to boss mode in the 2nd half when Madrid took over. He's the best midfielder in the world without a single doubt.

sportsczy wrote:Bellingham was the best player in this game by a mile, not Vini. It's only when he turned it up to boss mode in the 2nd half when Madrid took over. He's the best midfielder in the world without a single doubt.

We were already in the lead by the time Jude turned it up

Thimmy wrote:It was a bit strange to see Vini occasionally drop deep. He's not associated with defensive effort, but he might have to start doing it more frequently in this setup. Like Hala, I really hope Jude doesn't burn himself out before the second half of the season again.

Yeah it was very unusual to watch to be honest, thought he'd turn into Neymar for a moment but he only did it because the midfield was nonexistent. Tibu had noone to pass to. This is were I think we missed Camavinga.

Second half was much better, Valverde wasn't so high up, Tchouaméni was making himself available more etc

I think Vini is used to doing defensive work, he's had the privilege of not having to do it last season but I am not concerned about his defensive work. Mbappe on the other hand will do something that's completely foreign to him but it was nice seeing him make the same effort as other players yesterday.

ENVY is all I can say after watching that FFS They already clicking so well... Bellingham amazing, n showed he can play the no.10 basically... his awareness of the runs n holding till the right moment n pulling off the final passes were great already. Vini dropping back simply cos the other 2 midfielders are donkeys so he has to help out in creating n getting the ball going in midfield. Rodrygo doing a lot as usual as well. These guys are not just so talented but hard working as well. They got the better of Atalanta who bossed Luverkusen ffs so they physically can match anybody. They all had top movement too, able to roaming all around n click...so the worry of Mbappe disrupting things n him bunching up with Vini is gone already cos they showed they can play in any position basically

I can see some weaknesses in the d with Militao not his former self n Cavarjal aging n Mendy the usual mistakes n the midfield but the attack is so good wont matter? Real are set to win it all again LOL Im not even all that upset becos I just enjoy watching good football n Mbappe in there doing it already