Idk this team is special I am not a big team guy. All my life I’ve always identified rooting for the little guy. Hell, I couldn’t really root for the dream team these Olympics as what is the point. They are so superior to the competition then what is the point. but something about how this Madrid operates that is easier to identify. Yes we still spend but it has been done differently. Buying young players, knowing how to transition from all time greats to young players while still winning, relying on our history to attract players, etc. we no longer have the deepest pockets and we no longer get the major names (Mbappe aside). I just admire and respect our operation beyond the talent on the field
The thing is, since 2018 we have often not been "superior" by conventional standards (possession, clear chances created, shots on goal etc). We always come back to win it, or we're the underdog, or we have a poor first half and then come alive in the second... The life of a modern Real Madrid fan is about believing in the impossible and fighting until the last moment and gambling on yourself. The 92:48, the late headers by Ramos in 2016, the comebacks in CL, the incredible 2022 CL campaign where the underdogs refused to kneel... All these moments and more have taught us that quitting is NEVER an option. When the chance of progression is 99% vs 1% and Rodrygo comes up with two goals, when the whole UEFA and Qatar is against you and you still win... How could you then give up in your life when the going gets tough. When your team motivates you every week, and shows you it's ALWAYS worth fighting - no matter how small the odds are. People ask me on reddit if it's boring being a Real Madrid fan. But I get it, it's boring for them Madridistas eat well, and we like fine dining. There's never a dull moment. And when the team is winning convincingly you cheer for the young players to make a mark and build themselves up. There is always something to cheer for.
We need to figure out how to replace Kroos. As I said in the other thread, the sideway or long passes of Kroos and Xabi Alonso before him served as vital links connecting various sections of the field. Bellingham could not be the solution, given that he is too important in the more advanced section of the field. I don't want him to sit in front of the two centerbacks. It is Camavinga who appears best positioned to be our next deep lying playmakers, but he will be gine for the next two months. But what can we do for the next 2 months? Our solution: Modric should be our starting deep lying playermaker. He has the version or football IQ to play any position that required playmaking ability. At his age, he should no longer be the payer who runs up and down the field. Bellingham and Fede can easily do the job for him. And he was actually a very good deep playermaker before he joined Real Madird. The video footage, particularly the match against Ireland, seemed to showcase Modric skillfully disguised as Kroos on the field. Luka Modrić - EURO 2012 [Original Version - HD] (youtube.com)
❗️Mallorca vs Real Madrid on Sunday.Mallorca's stadium was SOLD OUT just 1 hour after the tickets went out on sale. @marca 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4ZHW8cuekt— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) August 15, 2024
I'm planning on going to Madrid in October and it would be great to go and see a match. Anyone know how much notice people get that tickets are going on sale?
We have a pretty easy schedule to start off La Liga: Mallorca (15th last year), Valladolid (newly promoted), Las Palmas (16th last year). That hopefully gives the team time to gain match fitness and gel before given that a lot of the players who played over the summer haven't had many matches together. We play Betis in Week 4 and Sociedad in Week 5 (after a break), so we will want to make sure everyone is clicking by then.
🚨 Toni Kroos documentary on Netflix releases TOMORROW! pic.twitter.com/imvOykN0IP— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) August 15, 2024
🚨 Kylian Mbappé scored Real Madrid’s 10,000th goal last night. pic.twitter.com/UN8fk8x4I6— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) August 15, 2024 @LSR_RM April 6, 1903: Armando Giralt scores the 1st official goal in Real Madrid's history in a Copa del Rey match against Espanyol. August 14, 2024: Kylian Mbappe scores the 10,000th official goal in Real Madrid's history in a European Super Cup match against Atalanta.
I wouldn’t call our game on Sunday, away to Mallorca, an easy one. Last 3 games against them have all been scrappy 1-0’s including a loss at Son Moix in 2023. They have Pablo Maffeo who always gets under Vini’s skin and instigates fans to give him abuse. Darder and Mascarell are good midfielders. Of course we have so much more talent, but they will fight tooth and nail especially in their stadium. One of those teams that always makes it hard for us.
Mallorca got rid of bus parking Aguirre though and Arrasate is their new coach. His Osasuna played pretty open style vs RM in Pamplona last season and we picked them apart. Let's see if he will go with his philosophy or continue with Aguirre style for the season opener vs RM.
I certainly wouldn't expect Mallorca to role over, but I think our schedule is better than Barca/Atleti's. Barca plays Valencia and Athletic Bilbao. Atletico plays Villareal then Girona. They've both brought in a number of new players and playing strong teams first doesn't give them much time for group cohesion or sham accounting.
Con este video termina un viaje increíble, un viaje que ni mucho menos pensaba vivir hasta los 39 años como jugador profesional de BALONCESTO. Me RETIRO con la sensación de haber sido un jugador comprometido con cada equipo o club en el que he estado. Nunca soñé con volar tan… pic.twitter.com/iDcQLhUJOt— Rudy Fernandez (@rudy5fernandez) August 16, 2024
🎙| Ancelotti: "11 months of competitions? We are thinking about giving some vacations to the players during the season. One week or more, to spend with the families. Especially the players who play with the national teams." pic.twitter.com/6Wps2n1n6k— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) August 17, 2024 🗣️ Carlo Ancelotti: "How am I going to rest players? For example if Vini played 2 games with Brazil, when he returns to Madrid, he might rest for a game. That's how we could do it." pic.twitter.com/ENKEdmcSy4— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) August 17, 2024
Truly a much needed incentive. If we can rest our players a bit more we are going to be watching a much more beautiful football when they're rested. Last season watching Bellingham dying on the field for the 2nd part of the season was shocking. Vs Atalanta he reminded us of just how amazing of a player he is when he's rested. It's good to see we are ready to change things when needed. I know some people will say that we can't afford to rest our star players from time to time, but this season we have some quality depth in attack. If ever there was an opportunity, it's now.
lol, exactly. Someone let the club know rotations work best when there are viable options to rotate in.
Tougher fixtures after first NT break. There's Bernabeu matches vs Valladolid and Espanyol before that. Maybe start Vallejo in one of those.