Real Madrid News and Analysis

Carlo Ancelotti provides update on transfer listed Real Madrid star

25Aug

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Carlo Ancelotti provides update on transfer listed Real Madrid star

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti responded to his team's disappointing opener against Mallorca in LaLiga last weekend, as Fede Valverde and the substitutes orchestrated a three-goal second half to take care of a returning Real Valladolid. The three points for Real Madrid came after Ancelotti remarked that he had found the solution to the club's issue after just one match, and the second-half attacking outburst from the Merengues makes it seem like all is indeed well at the Santiago Bernabeu. But as Real Madrid gear up for tougher matches than Real Valladolid and Mallorca in LaLiga, Madridistas have been wondering about the futures of a few talented young players sitting on the periphery of the squad as backups. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin is chief among those standouts, as the Ukra...

The 3 biggest winners from Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over Valladolid

25Aug

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

The 3 biggest winners from Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over Valladolid

Real Madrid had one of the most disappointing performances of any big club in Europe last weekend when they could only muster a 1-1 draw against Mallorca, struggling on the road against the island club. There was pressure on Real Madrid to get back to their winning ways as the defending champions of Spain and Europe, and Real Valladolid, newly promoted back to LaLiga, were deemed the perfect opponents for the Merengue club to rebound. After one half, Real Madrid were still tied 0-0 with Valladolid, leading to concerns that the Merengues would stumble to more dropped points and that the new-look attack was failing to gel without Toni Kroos behind them. But Real's new No. 8, Fede Valverde, stepped up with a monstrous effort from long range on a free kick, fooling the goalkeeper and ...

LaLiga Predictions: Barcelona vs. Athletic Club; Real Madrid vs. Valladolid; Atletico Madrid vs. Girona

22Aug

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

LaLiga Predictions: Barcelona vs. Athletic Club; Real Madrid vs. Valladolid; Atletico Madrid vs. Girona

Will Girona or Atletico Madrid gain a key advantage in their bid to spoil Real Madrid's title defense? Can Real Madrid themselves get back on track against Real Valladolid after a poor showing against another underdog LaLiga side last week in Mallorca? And will Barcelona register another big win, taking down the man who snubbed them this summer, Nico Williams and his Athletic Club teammates? Here are predictions for this weekend's LaLiga fixtures. Atletico Madrid vs. Girona Neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona will have the biggest game of the weekend, as that contest will be fought on Sunday night to close the weekend between possible title contenders Atletico Madrid and Girona. Atletico Madrid impressed in the 2022/23 season and were champions two years prior to that, while Girona w...

Former Real Madrid star expected to sign with rival club shortly

22Aug

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Former Real Madrid star expected to sign with rival club shortly

Real Madrid are used to their former stars joining other clubs, either because they want a new challenge or simply because they realized they were no longer capable of starting at the most pressurized and successful club in world football. Usually, Real Madrid fans don't get upset when a player leaves. Either they are bidding farewell to someone like Marcelo or Gareth Bale who is moving on to a league outside of European football to end their career, or they are watching a club icon like Casemiro or Raphael Varane leave at the right time. In the case of James Rodriguez, Real Madrid watched a once-great player who had faded from relevance in the modern game leave for Everton for one last try at a return to stardom under another beloved Merengue figure, Carlo Ancelotti. Since that b...

Real Madrid rejected the chance to sign one of Barcelona’s best players

21Aug

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Real Madrid rejected the chance to sign one of Barcelona’s best players

Real Madrid have a gaping hole in their midfield after the retirement of Toni Kroos, because for as much talent as they have in the middle of the park, the recent disappointing 1-1 draw with Mallorca highlighted all that is lost from Kroos' departure. The defending champions of Spain and Europe, Real Madrid did not progress the ball or create chances to even half the degree expected against bottom-half side Mallorca without Kroos. Going forward, Real Madrid will have to count on more creation from the superstar midfield quartet of Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga. Meanwhile, Real Madrid should call upon Turkish phenom Arda Guler to get more minutes in his second season after a strong European Championship campaign, and veteran Luka Modric ...

Takeaways: The problem with Kylian Mbappe, Man City more dangerous, the Thiago Motta touch

20Aug

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Champions League, Features

Takeaways: The problem with Kylian Mbappe, Man City more dangerous, the Thiago Motta touch

Should Real Madrid be worried about Kylian Mbappe? Are Manchester City even better in 2024/25? And what has Thiago Motta already brought to the table for disappointments Juventus? Here are three takeaways from around the Champions League after the first Matchday of the 2024/25 LaLiga, Premier League, and Serie A seasons. The Thiago Motta touch Juventus finished third in Serie A last season, but that was honestly far from an accomplishment because the Bianconeri were 20 points behind bitter rivals Inter Milan in a title race that they were never truly in. Thus, Juve found an excuse to can Max Allegri and were able to replace him with the "It" coach in Italian football, Thiago Motta, who was agonizingly close to leading Bologna to a historic Champions League qualification. Motta p...

16Aug

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Why Real Madrid can’t win the treble

Winning the treble is seen as the ultimate feather in the cap for an elite footballing institution. Since the Champions League era began in 1992, only five teams have won the treble, which consists of winning the domestic league, domestic cup, and the most coveted prize of them all, the UCL. Those clubs are Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Inter Milan. No Ligue 1 side has won the treble and only the Premier League has more than one treble winner. Meanwhile, Barcelona and Bayern are the only clubs to have won multiple trebles in their histories, and it is this fact that Barcelona fans love holding over Real Madrid. See, Real Madrid have never won the treble. Even though they have won the most Champions League titles in history, recently picking up t...

11Aug

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Real Madrid’s Best XI Since 2000

Real Madrid, regarded as the most successful football club in history, has had the privilege of seeing numerous legendary players wear its iconic white kit. Over the past two decades, the club has enjoyed a golden era, winning multiple La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles. With so many great players contributing to the club's success, it leads to an interesting question: Who are the best eleven players to have represented Real Madrid since the 2000/2001 season? Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois If no one has ever dared to say it, then I'll be the first to do so: Thibaut Courtois is not only better but he's also surpassed Iker Casillas as Real Madrid’s greatest-ever keeper. Along with being a more complete keeper than Casillas (excelling in aerial play, ball distribution, and reflexes),...

The uniquely elite career of Pepe, a Real Madrid and Porto icon

10Aug

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

The uniquely elite career of Pepe, a Real Madrid and Porto icon

Football fans had already bid farewell to two of the best midfielders of the 2010s and early 2020s, Thiago Alcantara and Toni Kroos, as the former Bayern Munich and LaLiga icons decided to retire. Thiago's exit came after injuries robbed him of a true farewell in the Premier League with Liverpool, where he showed flashes of the player who so expertly guided Die Roten to the 2019/20 treble. Meanwhile, Kroos left world football on top, having shined as Germany's best player at Euro 2024 after conquering LaLiga and the Champions League one last time for Real Madrid as a six-time career UCL champion between the Royal Whites of Spain and the Reds of Germany. Now, world football will say goodbye to a legend on equal footing of Thiago and Kroos, with a pedigree of longevity that will ena...

Real Madrid need to use a tactic from Inter Milan to turn an attacking problem into a strength

1Aug

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Real Madrid need to use a tactic from Inter Milan to turn an attacking problem into a strength

Real Madrid are going to have a lot of mouths to feed in the attack next season after signing Kylian Mbappe and Endrick to add to an attack that already boasted Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, and Brahim Diaz. That gives Real Madrid six of the best attacking players in LaLiga along with Endrick, who has the potential to be special and will be counted on as a rotational player by manager Carlo Ancelotti as an 18-year-old. Real Madrid have an embarrassment of riches Even if Real Madrid move to a 4-3-3 and switch Bellingham back to the midfield, that only gives three out of the seven talented attackers regular starts. Yes, rotation is one way Don Carlo can get everyone involved and keep them happy, but the notion of certain players getting phased out is a va...