Open Thread: October 20, 2020.

Hola Madridistas!

The Open Thread/Daily Merengue is a place where you can discuss anything and everything related to football. Feel free to discuss the topics presented here, or start your very own discussions! The Open thread will be posted every day by one of the mods: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack or Oscnar.

Will Sergio Ramos play against Shakhtar?

It seems we will have to wait until the line-up is released on Wednesday to know for sure. Marca reported that Ramos wants to play against Shakhtar to lead the team’s reaction from the defeat against Cadiz. In training yesterday, Ramos completed part of the session with the group and the rest alone in the gym.

Update: Sergio Ramos is not training with the squad today.

Will Zidane make changes in the line-up?

Zidane can always surprise in his line-ups. According to AS, Mendy, Casemiro and Valverde will be starters against Shakhtar. Serbian referee Srdjan Jovanovic will officiate the game. This will be the officials first Real Madrid game.

Champions League Returns

Apart from the game against Shakhtar, there are several other enticing clashes to look forward to this week as the Champions League makes its return:

PSG vs. Manchester United

Chelsea vs. Sevilla

Ajax vs. Liverpool

Bayern vs. Atletico Madrid

Mateu Lahoz tipped to take charge of Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Mateu Lahoz, who will referee Manchester United versus Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, is “expected” to officiate the crunch game between the two fierce rivals, according to Sport‘s Ramon Fuentes. The referee is no stranger to controversy and is unpopular amongst both sets of supporters.