Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid (Post Match Summary)

By Somsundar Mishra
30th September 2018

El Derbi Madrileño!

Real Madrid were held by their neighbors in an intense Madrid Derby. Both teams were neck to neck and the match ended goalless.
After the horrible display of defence in the previous match against Sevilla in Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, last night the team was much comfortable and defenders did their job. The star of Madrid defence was the new goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, with his two incredible off the line saves against Griezmann and Diego Costa to deny Atlético the lead.

The Los Blancos started the game well with some good buildups but failing to find any space to trouble the Atléti goalkeeper Jan Oblak, despite having the majority of possession (63% at the end of first half), there was no shot which made Oblak uncomfortable.  A brilliant chance came in the first half when Toni Kroos scooped in at the far post and Bale connected it with a volley which was centimeters wide of the post. In the halftime, Bale was feeling a slight discomfort in his right groin and had to be subbed off for Dani Ceballos. With his introduction, the team was fluidic and more intense, troubling Atléti constantly and as usual they decided to sit back and wait for any counter-attacking opportunity which would make Griezmann/Costa one on one against Courtois. But with Ceballos, off the ball press was so much that Atlético were dispossessed many times. There were chances for Asensio to finish off the game, but Oblak knowing when to charge gave Asensio microseconds to think about his shot. Asensio also had a chance to lay off to Ceballos but decided to become the hero and went on to set up his shot but got blocked. There were chances but Atlético were disciplined in their defensive line and didn't give any space, especially in the final third. Also, crosses inside the box were well dealt with by the huge Rojiblancos defenders.

Overall the game was exciting and intense for the neutrals, the home supporters might arguing that Real Madrid should've won. The last few matches of this derby in Bernabeu have ended in a stalemate. Madrid have to be efficient in their scoring as the season progresses and chances of getting on the top of the league should not be missed like this.

The team played great but lacked that final third efficiency. They're patient and are finding spaces, Courtois performed well which is a confidence boost to him, expectations are high. Gareth Bale's injury will be assessed and hopefully, it was just a precautionary sub-off and he'll be back soon. Meanwhile, it was Vinicius Jr.'s competitive debut for the first team, this great news got lost because of the sour result. We congratulate him and wish him he trains hard and earns a place in the first team!

¡Hala Madrid!

Real Madrid vs Espanyol (Post Match Summary)

By Kaustubh Ashtikar
24th September 2018

Nerve-wracking slender win!

Real Madrid got yet another 3 points in the bag after a very challenging win over Espanyol. Lopetegui decided not to field his best XI, as there is a mid week game.

The teams were only differentiated by one goal scored by Marco Asensio just a few minutes before the halftime. Odriozola grabbed his debut and showed why he was brought here from Sociedad.

Real Madrid saw a good hold of the ball from the start of the game however, the Espanyol was structurally sound and managed to hold off any goalscoring chances being created in the final third. The high-pressure strategy worked as Madrid were being able to recover the ball very quickly in each instance.
Despite the absence of key names such as Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale, Marcelo & Dani Carvajal, Madrid had most of the possession but had to work hard for that breakthrough. In the 41st minute, a failed shot/pass from Luka Modric took deflection from the defence and luckily fell on the feet of Marco Asensio. The Spaniard slotted it home easily without any pressure from the Espanyol defence. The goal had to be checked on VAR for potential offside and the goal was rightly given. Madrid got the lead 1-0.

The opposition again made it hard for Madrid to get any significant goalscoring chance and nearly scored due to the El Capitan's sloppy pass while moving the ball for an attack from the back. Fortunately, the ball only hit the crossbar and Los Blancos still had the goal advantage. Diego Lopez was troubled quite a few times by Madrid's attack and Ramos also came forward to test him. Marcos Llorente came very close to scoring the second goal after fantastically recovering the ball and crossing to Mariano who gave the ball back to him on the edge of the box, but heavy first touch made the shot difficult and he fired straight at Lopez. The Vikings were put into some pressure in the closing minutes. The last 15 minutes really tested Real Madrid's ability to hold on against the pressure and was a complete test for the Bernabeu faithful also. The match ended 1-0 with nervousness in the end but 3 points in the bag.

It was a decent performance and more efficiency would be required when facing against strong opponents. More creativity and attacking options have to be ventured for matches like these with structured defence and deadlock situations. Alvaro Odriozola was pumped up to show the home crowd why he was brought on in the Spanish Capital, his pacey runs and continuous back and forth runs for attack and defence really showed his quality. Llorente also grabbed this opportunity to show his quality, he'll be very important as the season gradually progresses. Mariano got some game time after a sensational debut goal against Roma, coming on for Benzema, he provided various attacking options but inefficient final third passes made those opportunities futile.

Madrid face Sevilla (on 27th September at 1.30 AM) in a midweek action and then Atletico Madrid (on 30th September at 12.15 AM) which will really test the Lopetegui side. We're in for the big matches now!

 

¡Hala Madrid!

Real Madrid vs Roma (Post Match Summary)

By Keerti
20th September 2018

Great start for the road to Wanda!

When Cristiano Ronaldo was being forced away from the field, tears in his eyes on a fateful Champions League matchday, on the other side of the spectrum his former club was pummeling its opponent with conviction. When Madrid met Roma at the Santiago Bernabeu, the favorites were predetermined. Roma had to make an effort to outclass their Spanish counterpart. Roma has always been sort of an enigma. They start as an underdog against many of the premier European teams, but with their small stature yet hard-boiled ambitions they’ve managed to upset a few. That was expected of them in this game as well.

It’s safe to say that Roma just failed to turn up. Their midfield looked clueless without Radja and Strootman. They just couldn't handle the high pressing of Madrid and often gifted the ball back when in possession. The counterattacks by Cengiz Ünder and Edin Dzeko often got stopped due to lack of support and constant hounding by Madrid players. Their defense was constantly terrorized by the Madrid attackers and midfielders as well. De Rossi picked up a Yellow at the edge of the box, which ultimately initiated his team’s doom. Manolas got easily handled by newcomer Diaz in the closing minutes of the match. Roma defenders were leaving space open for counter attacks. They were letting Madrid midfield dictate the play on their terms and by cutting in through passes. Even though he was Roma's man of the match for a few amazing stops but can't really blame Olsen, the Roma goalkeeper, for the goals as there was nothing he could do against such clinical finishing.

There was more right than wrong for the Whites in this match. The midfield was proactive. Modric was as emphatic as his usual self. Kroos was the midfield general, linking up well and was ever-present for a pass back. Casemiro's presence in the team was a breath of fresh air which negated any possibility of defensive liability. The defence was not tested by Roma leaving a few futile attacks. Ramos was composed but took one for the team as Kroos made a loose pass. Varane was making successful tackles and making crucial interceptions. Carvajal was balanced both attack and defense wise. Marcelo was Marcelo, he has changed his role to level we can't really say he is a left back can't even say he is wingback, whatever he does is just world class. Navas didn’t have much to do, but he was sharp as ever, Courtois' arrival has made him sharper. The only area of hiccup was the attack line. We were not efficient till Isco's slow-motion-esque freekick, the scoreline could've been more overwhelming but first game of UCL, so a great start.

MVPs:
Players performed as a team and were ever-present to give support and off the ball counter-press was wonderful and effective. Some players outshowed others even though everyone had a great game.

Top 5 performers:
1. Modric: 9/10
2. Isco: 8.5/10
3. Kroos: 7.5/10
4. Varane: 7.5/10
5. Bale: 7/10
Key Moment: Mariano's debut goal and that too a stunner in stoppage time, showed there's lot to come!

The Santiago Bernabeu is set to host Espanyol next and Roma is to pack their bags and travel to Bologna for their Serie A Fixture. Madrid would like to improve their attack in order to capitalize the clutch situations in tight matches. So that must be the prime objective of Lopetegui while building his squad for this season. Here’s a toast to both the teams and best wishes for their respective leagues.

¡Hala Madrid!

Expectations in UCL 2018/19

By Tarandeep Singh
18th September 2018

Will 4 in a row be Real?

As the curtains draw close on the transfer window, Real Madrid acquired the signing of Mariano Diaz from Lyon opting for the buy-back clause. The end of the transfer window also brings upon the month of September and with it the excitement and zeal of the Champions League.
The Los Blancos have made a convincing start to the season after winning their first three games and drawing one game in La Liga under the new leadership of Julen Lopetegui. While it is visible that Bale will play a more prominent role this season after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, he has certainly proved his might by scoring or assisting in his last 6 games for the club.

Monaco on the 31st August saw hosts of representatives gather for the champions league draw which was ruled by the three-time champions league winner Real Madrid. Luka Modric won the UEFA Men’s Player of the year and also grabbed the Midfielder of the Season, winning the race against the ex-Madrid and the new Juventus man Ronaldo and the man who took premier league by storm, the Egyptian Mo Salah. Modric winning the trophy signaled the start of a new era wherein the previous years were dominated by Ronaldo and Messi. Keylor Navas won the Goalkeeper of the Season, supporting him again was the ever-present man in Real’s defence Sergio Ramos grabbing the title for Defender of the season and Ronaldo won the forward of the season for his heroics in the champions league.

Legendary collection of the European/Champions League trophies

The 2018-19 season will see the reigning champions clashing with Roma, CSKA Moscow and the Czech Republic champions Viktoria Plzen. While it is expected that Madrid will get past through the two latter clubs it will be their clash against AS Roma which will grab the eyes in the group stages. With a new season it will be surely expected from the European giants to go on and lift the trophy for the 4th time. The club who has the largest fan base in the world will need to put in much more effort and work cumulatively. Lopetegui faces the challenge of continuing the legacy for which without a strand of doubt he is well equipped.
Real start their champions league campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu against Roma on 19th September. The full fixture list can be seen in this link.

¡Hala Madrid!

Girona vs Real Madrid (Post Match Summary)

By Gaurav Nimkhedkar 27th August 2018

¡Remontada!
After some good display in the season opener against Getafe, Real Madrid was heading to Montilivi for their 2nd La Liga match. Promoted last season, Girona defeated Real Madrid 2-1 when they faced them last season. Real Madrid were prepared to face the challenge and not repeat the debacle which happened 12 months back.

It was heavily rumored that the new acquisition, Thibaut Courtois would get his debut but Lopetegui awarded Navas another start after a good match against Getafe. Nacho started again, alongside Sergio Ramos, after his brilliant performance in the last match. Casemiro started instead of Ceballos and the rest were the usual starters who also featured against Getafe. Note that Luka Modric and Varane had a busy summer featuring in the world cup final and the latter's team winning it, so they were not troubled to start in this game.

The game started with huge cheers from the Girona fans, trying to get into Los Blancos' players head. But Madrid was calm and composed and started their build for that first goal. On the 8th minute, Benzema got the chance and scored but it was judged offside. The game was end-to-end from the first minute, as Girona tried to capitalize every counter attacks they could, and succeeded when Lozano burst forward giving Borja Garcia a chance to score. Nacho couldn't stop Lozano and also Kroos 'jogged' back and couldn't press Borja Garcia who scored easily.

Real Madrid feared for last season's debacle and pressed on for the equalizer, and we got so desperate that one could see Ramos going for the attacks, he got 2 header chances which he couldn't direct it towards the goal. On the 38th minute, Asensio got the ball in the box and while trying to shuffle past the defender he was tripped, a penalty call which our El Capi slotted a panenka for 1-1. Second half, calm and composed build-ups and great possessive plays resulted in another penalty call, which Benzema took, sending the Girona goalkeeper in the different direction for 1-2. Gareth Bale scored on the 59th minute after his trademark burst and slotted it easily in the bottom left corner. Gareth Bale showed that he can lead and was seen everywhere on the pitch, coming back for the build-ups, helping with counter press and then popping up on the right wing for his dash runs to assist Benzema for an easy finish for his double.

From the bench, Varane, Modric came on for Marcelo and Isco respectively for some match fitness and Lucas came on for the Welshman. They saw to it that Girona didn't cause any problems to Madrid and we secured a 1-4 win!

As Real Madrid play week after week, we're understanding what Lopetegui's system is and what he expects from the players. Players are still understanding the system and trying to get well from the world cup hangover. These are times when one can't wait to see what Lopetegui can do in the big matches, guess we'll have to wait and see

¡Hala Madrid!

Real Madrid vs Getafe CF (Post Match Summary)

By Vedant Ingle
20th August 2018

Off we go!

Real Madrid started their La Liga campaign with a 2-0 victory over Getafe CF. The match showcased what we are going to experience in terms of football in 2018/19. This was a perfect boost for the team after the disappointing UEFA Super Cup final.

Lopetegui made two changes from the lineup which faced Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup, Raphaël Varane was replaced by Nacho in the center of defence and Casemiro was replaced by Ceballos in the midfield.

Los Blancos started well and showed some beautiful possessional plays and whenever dispossessed, pressed continuously to get the ball back and start the attack again. The first real chance of scoring for Real Madrid came at the 16th minute when Marcelo unleased a dangerous low cross to Gareth Bale, whose header rattled the crossbar. Then in the 19th minute, Bale dribbled past and crossed a wicked ball, which David Soria failed to clear it properly, landed on Dani Carvajal's head which he swiftly headed it in for the La Liga 2018/19 season opener.

Real Madrid were dominating the game with some great build ups and fluidic passing. In the second half, particularly Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos started performing better and due to this Madrid got their second goal through Gareth Bale, which Asensio set up after pressing high and making Djené Dakonam (Getafe's defender) uncomfortable, to get a comfortable win in the season opener.

Casemiro was brought in for Isco, Luka Modrić for Ceballos and Lucas Vázquez for Bale who all ensured there was no unexpected climax. The game ended with Real Madrid having a whopping 78% of ball possession.

Notable performers were -

1. Nacho was phenomenal, didn't put a foot wrong and had won all his 50/50 duels.

2. Marcelo the man who creates attack out of nothing, he declared that he is the greatest fullback in the world.

3. Toni Kroos who had a great game as the anchor of the team and this video justifies it.

4. Marco Asensio as you read above, our own golden boy ready for some great responsibilities.

5. Gareth Bale Welsh dragon is ready and if he continues like we might hear his name continuously chanted in the Bernabéu.

6. Carvajal after the disappointing last season, he's ready to make amends already! He will be very important in the upcoming partidazos (Spanish for great games).

Slowly but steadily we're getting a glimpse of what Lopetegui is doing with the team. Hopefully, as the weeks go by we will be treated with such quality games and maybe even better ones. One can just sit back and be patient and scream...

¡Hala Madrid!

Expectations in La Liga 2018/19

By Tarandeep Singh
19th August 2018

Will they? Won’t they?

The 2017/18 season saw Real Madrid achieve something which was highly regarded as unthinkable. They conquered the champions league third time in a row, becoming the first team in the modern era to achieve this feat. There is slightly any doubt when it comes to Madrid’s dominance in the champions league. On the contrary, in La Liga, the season was marred with inconsistent performances and an untimely exit from the Copa del Rey which came after the home defeat to Leganés.

In the past few years, fluid play and consistency have been the major issues faced by the Los Blancos. Julen Lopetegui, the newly appointed manager of the club will focus on this major aspect. Lopetegui is highly regarded for his tenure as the Spanish National team’s manager, where he did not lose a single match and this is a prime example of consistency which Real Madrid so desire.

Bus parade after winning the record 33rd La Liga

The 2016/17 La Liga winners will start their new season without their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. The departures of Zidane and Ronaldo have left the club in a dilemma, but the club’s president Florentino Perez believes that the current squad has the quality and capability to go on and lift the league title this season. For this to happen, it will be necessary for the likes of Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema to provide the goals out front for Madrid. 

It is widely believed that the club has scrapped of its Galactico policy with Gareth Bale the last galactico to arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu. The club is thinking about its future by investing in young and potential filled talent. The arrival of the likes of Álvaro Odriozola from Real Sociedad and Andriy Lunin from Zorya Luhansk, Ukraine, certainly buttresses the claim. Whereas the arrival of the world cup golden glove winner Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea for a mere 35 million euros can be sorted as one of the deals of this transfer market. The highly-rated goalkeeper will be competing for on-field action with the sensational Keylor Navas who has been ever-present between the sticks during Real’s hattrick of champions league.

Real Madrid surely is one of the biggest clubs in the world and winning La Liga will be a priority for the team. A league where Real has only won 2 times in 9 years with their counterparts and bitter rivals Barcelona dominating the scene. The fans expect fluidity in play, consistency, good off possession game and lots of trophies with La Liga being the prime target. We’re off to a new journey, a new challenge but with the same old expectation of winning everything, a new era begins!

¡Hala Madrid!