Open Thread: December 11, 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, YoSnail or Oscnar.

Team begins derby preparations following Champions League win.

After the final whistle at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium there was no great celebration for having qualified for the knockout rounds of the Champions League. Instead Marca reported that Real Madrid players were seen saying: “We did what we should have done, we have nothing to celebrate.” This is typical of Zidane’s team. Back to work as nothing has been won yet.

The starters in the game against Borussia Mönchengladbach worked out indoors. Meanwhile, Karim Benzema completed some running drills out on the grass. Dani Carvajal, Eden Hazard, Mariano, Martin Ødegaard and Luka Jović worked out individually, both indoors and outside, with various training loads.

Los Blancos toughest test yet: An early look at Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid must beat Atleti in order to stay in the hunt for La Liga, but that will be far from easy against a team that has conceded only 2 goals in la liga so far. Both Luis Suarez and Joao Felix have 5 goals apiece and will be looking to increase that tally against a Madrid defense that has conceded 12 goals so far in just 11 games.

Atletico Madrid will be without Uruguayan centre-back Jose Gimenez, veteran striker Diego Costa and young left-back Manu Sanchez, who are all nursing injuries. However they still have enough fire power and it will be interesting to see how former Madrid man Marcos Llorente performs. He’s been in scintillating form this season (4 goals in la liga and 1 in the UCL) having adapted his game to play a more advanced attacking role.

Atletico Madrid Predicted XI (5-3-2): Jan Oblak, Kieran Trippier, Stefan Savic, Felipe, Mario Hermoso, Renan Lodi, Marcos Llorente, Koke, Saul, Luis Suarez, Joao Felix

Transfer Rumors.

According to Marca, with each passing day, David Alaba is more closer to signing for Real Madrid for free. It remains to be seen what his salary demands will be but getting someone of Alaba’s quality for free with be a huge coup.

News has also been circulating that Raiola has inserted a 75m€ release clause in Real Madrid’s transfer target Haaland’s contract which can be activated after the end of his second-season with BVB. Will Real Madrid have the patience to wait until 2022 or will they offer a larger sum this coming summer?

According to Calciomercato, Real Madrid playmaker Isco has opened up to the idea of joining Italian giants AC Milan this summer. The Spaniard has fallen down the pecking order under Zinedine Zidane and the report suggests that Milan could try to sign the 28-year-old midfielder to replace Turkish playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United.

On this day..................

Twenty years ago on this day Real Madrid was named the best club of the 20th-century. Madrid obtained 42.3% of total votes, followed by United ( 9.6%) and Bayern (9.1%). Is there a greater club in the history of the sport? Go ahead tell us.

Real Madrid express grief over demise of Paolo Rossi.

The footballing world lost a legend in Paolo Rossi, one of the finest strikers the game has seen. During his playing career, the striker represented Juventus, Como, Vicenza, Perugia, Milan and Hellas Verona until his retirement in 1987.

However, it was as Italy’s hero in the 1982 World Cup that Rossi wrote his name in the history books. He scored 20 goals in 48 matches for the Azzurri, including six on the way to the 1982 trophy in Spain. His hat-trick to beat Brazil 3-2 is legendary, followed by two goals to defeat Poland 2-0 in the semi-final and finding the net in the 3-1 Final triumph against West Germany. These exploits allowed him to win the Golden Boot as top scorer at the 1982 World Cup.

“Real Madrid C. F., its president and board of directors are deeply saddened by the passing of world football legend Paolo Rossi. Real Madrid wishes to express its condolences to his family and friends, his former clubs and all football fans and Italian supporters in particular,” the club said in a statement.