Upcoming games (March & April):🏠 22/03: ATLETICO MADRID (21:00) ~ International break ~✈️ 04/04: Mallorca (16:15)🏠 07*/04: BAYERN (21:00)🏠 12*/04: Girona ✈️ 14*/04: BAYERN (21:00)🏠 22*/04: Alaves✈️ 26*/04: Betis pic.twitter.com/UOEEqCUXMI— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 18, 2026 Schedule is kind on us between the CL ties.
🚨 BREAKING: Thibaut Courtois will undergo tests tomorrow. He is a serious doubt for the Madrid derby. — @AlbertoPereiro pic.twitter.com/YSLaciqXbo— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) March 18, 2026
Real Madrid reach the UEFA Youth League semi-finals for the first time since the 2019/20 season.There are many standouts in this team, but for me Jesús Fortea is the most talented.His on-the-ball quality was never in question, and he has clearly improved in the defensive… pic.twitter.com/xY9iuHO89s— Football Talent Scout - Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) March 18, 2026 Juvenil A complete a remontada to win 2-1 against Sporting U19 and reach the Youth League semifinals for the first time since 2020. Lots of familiar names on the squad that played today: Fortea, Yanez, Aguado, Rivas, Cestero
We’re a disgrace. 🚨 BREAKING: There is worry at Real Madrid regarding Thibaut Courtois' injury.Initial tests have shown a tear in his right adductor, which means he could miss the UC quarterfinals.— @diarioas pic.twitter.com/Qdvdjj1N2R— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) March 18, 2026 Who forced him to play?
Time for Lunin to step up like he did in the 23/24 season. Not gonna lie, not having Tibu is a massive loss. But that could mean we are even more determined to defend as a team and keep cleansheets
Lunin is good but he ain’t no Tibo. A disgrace he was injured in warm up and he continued to play and made it worse after 45 minutes. Incompetence across multiple departments.
🚨 CONFIRMED: There is A LOT of CONCERN about Thibaut Courtois’ injury.There is fear of a BIG TEAR. @Rodra10_97 pic.twitter.com/6BGWddHIdP— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 18, 2026
Nobody. He probably told the medical team he feels fine and so was allowed to play. Probably informed the physios he is feeling the strain after he saw the red City had and knew the tie was over.
I just can’t believe that for one second given our history. He likely mentioned it but was given the all the clear to play on until it got worse. We should started Lunin and this could potentially be avoided
Tbh nobody dragged him by the scruff of the neck and forced him to play. He probably gave the all clear. Tibu strikes me as someone who can speak for himself. He like most of our players probably went out and played injured aggravating the injury he had, the extent of these injuries are picked up by scans. If Tibu doesnt flag for a serious injury how will the physios know. Bet its the same with Mbappe but with him I think its a calculated decision between the club and the Mbappe camp given how much will be happening in the coming monthsm
We have been playing as a unit after a long time these past couple of games. Defensively solid, everyone running and pressing, kids playing their heart out. Does mbappe and jude disrupt this new found balance? And its not mbappe per se but the real madrid doctrine of all galacticos must play. The knock on effects of which are having two forwards with a hierarchy problem who both want to dribble and finish instead of feeding it to a designated striker, two forwards that don't contribute defensively, which means valverde doing the defensive job of 2 people, completely nullifying his offensive capabilities, also might mean (although would be suicidal) dropping the controller profile of thiago because tchou, jude, fede, arda are just bigger names. Which also means dropping brahim who has been an excellent in between the lines player with added pressing attributes. The injuries were honestly a welcome relief from all the team politics and we could finally just play the most logical options in each position. But this is madrid so we have to pickup this baggage again and now face the most in form team in Bayern. Sometimes I wish we could just focus on the football. In CL games our blueprint has been, defend as a unit, bury our changes. I have also seen enough sample size by now to know having both vini and mbappe disjoints both our defensive and offensive structures. If it were upto me I would only play one of them and also not drop thiago when jude comes back. But i know these are pipe dreams and this is madrid (rah) so we will go back to the status quo. I just hope we dont ruin this delicate semblance of balance we have managed to create in recent games.
🚨 Real Madrid are UNDEFEATED against Bayern Munich since 2011/12.8 matches, 6 wins, 2 draws. pic.twitter.com/5t0Ha2rjnW— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 18, 2026
🚨 BREAKING: If Real Madrid knock Bayern Munich out, they will play the 2nd leg of the Semi Finals at the BERNABÉU! pic.twitter.com/DTHb85b380— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 18, 2026 Please get the job done against Bayern.
Think our balance will suffer if Pitarch gets dropped. Jude making runs into the box while Arda having to work hard defensively in central midfield hasn't worked so far this season. Pitarch's workrate is much superior to Arda's.
Bayern players should also start taunting like Yamal pre-Clasico. 🚨 Bayern fans celebrating with their team while chanting:“Madrid, Madrid, we’re sh*tting on Madrid.” @vcatalina96 pic.twitter.com/Lp1wD015jq— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 18, 2026
Multiple teams unveiled their retro kits, all by the current kit provider (so Valencia went for a retro Puma kit), with current sponsors to align with their current responsibilities. The excuse by both Spanish giants that it's because of sponsorships turned to dust as soon as they brought it up.
I know it's a lot to ask, but I wouldn't drop Pitarch. And it's not only about workrate for me. It's about his willingness to receive the ball under pressure, his ability to keep it under pressure and his overall and continuous movement. It just works (and highlights the failure of the board to address that role in recent years)! Yes, I know he's 18 years old and it's an almost impossible decision for Arbeloa to make, but he needs to do it. If he fails under the Bayern pressure, then so be it. It's not like having Jude and Arda start together has made us an unstoppable force. I'd rather Pitarch trying and perhaps failing, than seeing Jude and Arda being incompatible again for 180 minutes, particularly now that Mbappe is also back.
We have to get the win at home. Bayern are much better this season than they have been in the previous ones. We need to play good balls to Vini/Mbappe and for them to stay onside. Their CBs aren't the fastest but they'll bully our players if it came down to strength. Pitarch is going to have to play a huge role helping out our LB.
Yeah, given how AA has spoken about the players Jude is going straight into the line up. I hope after seeing the pressing and defending all the players out injured get back and get stuck in like the rest. Our players don't have to run the length of the field to press anymore everyone pressing in their own area which makes it so much easier. I trust the players. Pitarch should be a mainstay in the midfield, we need a player with his work rate. Arda did well the other day but in these big games he has been a net negative because he has been conservative on the ball and too weak and slow in defence. My midfield would be Jude, Valverde, Pitarch and Tcho. Arda and Cama off the bench if needed. Need Valverde to continue to attack as he has and for Jude to play as a midfielder and not leave the midfield so exposed. For Vini and Mbappe to play for each other and the team. Above all defend as ONE as we have been doing under AA.