Tag: Real Madrid

Ranking the 10 best penalty takers in world football in 2025
6Apr By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Rankings

Ranking the 10 best penalty takers in world football in 2025

Who are the best penalty kick takers in world football right now in 2025? 10.  Ante Budimir, Osasuna Ante Budimir probably isn't going to win the Pichichi trophy over Big Two LaLiga superstars Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe, but the fact that a striker from Osasuna is in the conversation is a huge feat, reminiscent of that one time Dani Guiza won the Pichichi more than a decade ago. A standout of LaLiga for years, dating back to his days at Mallorca, Budimir has morphed into one of the best pure finishers in world football and that deadly accuracy extends to the penalty spot where he has converted all seven of his attempts in the current league campaign. 9. Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has come a long way since his high-profile miss against Yann So...
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2024/25 Champions League Predictions for the Quarterfinals
6Apr By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

2024/25 Champions League Predictions for the Quarterfinals

On Tuesday, the quarterfinals of the 2024/25 Champions League season will begin, and while defending champions Real Madrid are always the favorites until proven otherwise, they have been significantly outplayed by Barcelona in their own league and barely survived the Round of 16 against crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid. Meanwhile, Aston Villa are still sticking around despite their struggles in the Premier League and have a big-ticket battle against Unai Emery's former club PSG, who knocked league phase leaders Liverpool out of the competition. Here are the full predictions for the quarterfinals across both legs. Bayern Munich vs. Inter Milan Bayern Munich head into the Champions League quarterfinals with a ton of major injuries to their back line. The most significant one is the t...
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Ranking the 10 best LaLiga goalkeepers right now in 2025
4Apr By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Rankings

Ranking the 10 best LaLiga goalkeepers right now in 2025

I don't think a lot of fans - including some pretty hardcore ones - understand just how brilliant LaLiga's goalkeepers have been over the past several years. And I'm not just talking about the divine trinity of Thibaut Courtois, Jan Oblak, and Marc Andre-ter Stegen at the "Big Three" either, because, let's face it, Oblak and MATS had a couple of rough seasons in between some monster ones. No, even when you look at the other goalkeepers they've fielded like Juan Musso, Wojciech Szczesny, and Andriy Lunin, all those guys would be top five-goalkeepers in many other top European leagues. But beyond the Big Three is where you really get to see talent. Remember Edgar Badia and Jeremias Ledesma? How about Alex Remiro at Real Sociedad? He's been on highlight reels in LaLiga for years. Now...
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Real Madrid are going to unlock Kylian Mbappe’s last major weakness
1Apr By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

Real Madrid are going to unlock Kylian Mbappe’s last major weakness

Real Madrid superstar forward Kylian Mbappe is in the prime of his career at 26 and already writing himself into the history books at the Santiago Bernabeu by tying Cristiano Ronaldo's opening tally of 33 goals in all competitions.  Although Real Madrid are second to Barcelona in LaLiga and haven't been as impressive overall this season, Mbappe has been the biggest bright spot in a quietly disappointing attack, leading the team with 22 goals while ranking second in the side behind Luka Modric in big chances created. After a rough start to the season, Mbappe has rebounded strongly since a low point against Athletic Club, showing the kind of resiliency that Cristiano, Karim Benzema, and all the other faces of Real Madrid in the past have displayed. But as incredible as Mbappe is as ...
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Carlo Ancelotti is realizing what Real Madrid need to finally start their new era
1Apr By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

Carlo Ancelotti is realizing what Real Madrid need to finally start their new era

The word "Revolution" started getting thrown around with regards to Real Madrid in 2019. In the aftermath of Cristiano Ronaldo's departure and an embarrassing 2018/19 season in both LaLiga and the Champions League, Real had an active summer transfer window that set the next five years in motion. Although Eden Hazard was the centerpiece investment of the window as a nine-figure signing from Chelsea and one of the world's best players, it was literally every other addition that made the difference for Los Merengues. Hazard ended up being an unmitigated disaster, but Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Junior, Ferland Mendy, and Eder Militao were all young signings who were regular starters on two Champions League winning teams. Since then, Real Madrid have added a number of other outstanding you...
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This Luka Modric stat highlights how Vinicius Junior needs to step up more
30Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

This Luka Modric stat highlights how Vinicius Junior needs to step up more

Real Madrid are in a tough LaLiga title race, and while they helped their own cause after Kylian Mbappe's brace rescued a potential upset loss to Leganes this weekend at the Santiago Bernabeu, it honestly looks like Barcelona are the favorites to take home the title this season. Mbappe's addition to the team has proven beneficial, because, without him as their top scorer, Real Madrid may be facing a more difficult campaign amidst defensive injuries, a midfield lacking control without Toni Kroos, and a down year from Vinicius Junior. Although Vini Jr.'s 10 goals and 5 assists show that he's having a good season overall, he has been left wanting in some ways, and this key stat sheds some light on how. Per stat site Squawka, Luka Modric, at the age of 39 and with just 11 starts this ...
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The narrative is already being twisted with Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid
29Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

The narrative is already being twisted with Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid

After months of speculation, Real Madrid are seemingly set to secure the signing of free agent right back Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, and recent reports indicate that the 26-year-old England international will sign a five-year deal with the Royal Whites. Alexander-Arnold's transfer would be the next in a line of high-profile free agent signings made by Real Madrid, whose president Florentino Perez has made it a goal to either sign superstars or free agents - and nothing in between. Like Kylian Mbappe last summer, Alexander-Arnold would fall into both categories as a superstar free agent who has been on the Real Madrid transfer radar for several seasons now. And his arrival would come at an opportune time, as current starting right back Dani Carvajal - the only senior ri...
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Real Madrid will soon decide if they want to sign a CB in 2025
28Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Real Madrid will soon decide if they want to sign a CB in 2025

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is on the verge of securing his third marquee transfer in three straight years, as Liverpool superstar right back Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to join the Merengues for free this summer. Last year, Real Madrid signed PSG superstar attacker Kylian Mbappe for free - an even bigger long-term dream target of Florentino's. And the year before, he signed Jude Bellingham from Dortmund for 100 million euros. Even though Alexander-Arnold alone would be a successful transfer window for Real Madrid, there are many fans who believe the club needs to make more defensive signings, and while TAA would be a much-needed right back to help Dani Carvajal, he is more of an attacking-minded fullback. Transfer rumors swirl around Bournemouth breakout star an...
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Jude Bellingham played big role in recruiting Trent Alexander-Arnold
28Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Jude Bellingham played big role in recruiting Trent Alexander-Arnold

Real Madrid are on the cusp of signing superstar right back Trent Alexander-Arnold as a free agent from Liverpool this summer, ending arguably the most anticipated transfer saga of 2025 before the window officially opens. TAA is a homegrown talent for Liverpool, and yet the Reds are fully expected to lose their most valuable transfer commodity to the biggest club in world football this year. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had the generationally gifted right back tabbed as his only option at the position, and he accelerated his interest in the England international following star man Dani Carvajal's season-ending ACL tear. Perez also had some vital help. Relevo reports, via the Madrid Zone, that Real Madrid star midfielder and Alexander-Arnold's England teammate Jude Bellin...
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Will Bukayo Saka return from injury vs. Real Madrid in UCL?
28Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Injury News

Will Bukayo Saka return from injury vs. Real Madrid in UCL?

Arsenal star right winger Bukayo Saka has been excellent this season when healthy, but his impact on the 2024/25 Premier League and Champions League seasons has been derailed by multiple injuries. Saka has missed more than 20 games overall this season, and his latest hamstring injury has taken him out since just before Christmas, meaning he's been out for more than three months now. But Saka will be returning shortly, and there is optimism that he can be back in the Arsenal lineup as early as Apr. 1 when Arsenal return from the March international break to face European football hopefuls Fulham in the Premier League. It will be important for Saka to get healthy and stay healthy, but Arsenal want to really focus on getting the world-class winger back to 100 percent for the Champion...
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