Xabi's immediate promotion of Garcia at the CWC, starting him instead of a makeshift Vini/Rodrygo duo like Carlo would have done, earned him deserved trust if he now decides Fortea is not ready or a makeshift Fede/352 is preferable. It's not an arbitrary double-standard.
Fede Valverde: "Playing RB? I'm a midfielder, I think I'm one of the pillars of Real Madrid's midfield, I earned my spot, I'm playing at a high level, and the coach knows I don't really like playing at RB, but I'm always ready to help the team." AKA. I’m not playing RB
❌ Fortea and Diego Aguado called up by Spain NT for the U20 WC (the tournament starts on 27 September). Fran Gonzalez, Pitarch and Cristian David in the list too.Contrary to the case of Argentina and Mastantuono, Real Madrid doesn’t have the final word here.@TheAthleticFC https://t.co/MFg8CdKa0n— Mario Cortegana (@MarioCortegana) September 17, 2025 It appears many of Castilla's players can't be called upon in the short term because they will be going to the U20 World Cup.
Yeah it is kind of an arbitary double standard. Carlo won 2 CL titles having to trot out Lucas Vasquez as a RB whenever Carvajal was injured or needed but that didn't earn him any deserved trust. He also won 2 CL's insisting on persisting with total scrubs like Vini and Rodry. What Carlo didn't do to earn trust - play Gonzalo Garcia and Jesus Fortea.
He only needs to play that position for a few UCL games while Dani serves his suspension. I don't think he really cares at all. I do not know when TAA would be back, but that position is well-covered. As a right wingback, he might be playing more on the offensive side of the field than his current position (or duty/role). We might see the offensive side of him in the UCL than in La Liga. I do not read much into this.
Carvajal will play. Fede will only play there to cover for the red card and to give Dani a break a couple of times if Sani stays healthy
Rodrygo to @tatimantovani: "I had a very difficult time at the end of last season and I wanted to thank my family for being there for me at that time. I also wanted to thank Professor Ancelotti, he knows more than anyone what I'm going through, and he helped me a lot. But I won't go into that further. I'm back, happier every day, feeling better, which is the most important thing, and playing again." Rodrygo, con @tatimantovani: "Pasé un momento muy difícil en el final de temporada pasada y quería agradecer a mi familia el haber estado conmigo en ese momento. Quería agradecérselo también al profesor Ancelotti, él más que nadie sabe lo que pase, y me ayudó mucho.— Arancha Rodríguez (@AranchaMOBILE) September 18, 2025 Pero no me voy a extender más sobre eso. Estoy de vuelta, cada día más feliz, bien de cabeza, que es lo más importante, y volviendo a jugar”.— Arancha Rodríguez (@AranchaMOBILE) September 18, 2025
Asencio played at RB when Carva got sent off so maybe he will start there in next couple of CL games. Fede might have to play a game or two at RB if Militao needs a rest though. Huijsen is suspended vs Espanyol. Can't remember any RM player who has done that. Far from Fede's character.
Maybe Carreras - Huijsen - Alaba - Asencio backline vs Kairat if Militao needs a rest. I watched Celtic game highlights in Kazakhstan. They missed sitters and Kairat GK made some amazing saves. We should be winning there comfortably even if Alaba starts.
I have to say, after watching Liverpool’s games this season, especially yesterday’s match. the common theme I’ve noticed is that their defensive play is really poor, particularly compared to last season. Out of the 6 matches they’ve played so far, they conceded goals in 4 of them, with only Arsenal and Burnley failing to score against them. In 3 of those games, they even gave up a two-goal lead! They managed to win 5 out of 6 matches thanks to stoppage-time goals, and we all saw how much those kinds of wins helped Atlético last season. This makes me look at Real Madrid under Xavi and realize we’re in a good place. Maybe the attack hasn’t fully clicked yet, but the team is doing an outstanding job defensively, especially considering we’ve only conceded one goal from open play.
Alaba one is false narrative. He played LB in big KO games vs Liverpool, Arsenal despite everyone but Carlo knowing that Salah and Saka will embarrass him. Rodrygo played RW for 6 seasons. RM has two left footed options in attack right now.
Our next 4 to close out September: - Espanyol at home - Levante away - Atletico away - Kairat away in CL If we manage to get 4 wins....it would mean really turned a corner. Not there fully yet, but it would signal that we're already building great consistency. Beating Atleti away would especially be very meaningful because iirc it hasn't happened in a long time (other than the super cup in Saudi Arabia a little while back).
We had a 7 point lead in the second half of the season and it took two weeks for us to be out of the lead. All that what you're saying would mean is hopefully we have some space between us and barca before, JAS drops the next Florentino barb at RFEF/Tebas and they tank us 10 points in response
haha I hear. Not talking about meaning anything in terms of winning the league. From a strictly football standpoint, going 10 wins out of 10 for the new project would be a huge achievement imo. Anyways game by game....let's see if we can beat Espanyol comfortably... we've "suffered" the past two games.
I was clearly referring to trust that Xabi will try young talent if they are deserving, not trust that all his decisions are correct. Try reading slower before you go off on irrelevant rants.
I don't understand why Mbappe can't do it. Vini has played RB and so has Fed, and until now I never heard a complaint out of either player. Alot of people said it at the time he signed, is he going to play defense because we don't need another left winger, we need defenders or at least players capable of defending. Well here's his chance to prove he's team first player. HE's THE CAPTAIN. Vini and Fed have done more than enough to have earned the "trust" of everyone at the club, yet here they are not even among the top wage earners with Mbappe making double what Fed does and 1/3 more than Vini. They get treated like nobodies being forced to play defense when other guys demand and get a "no defense" hall pass from the President.