Open Thread: October 11, 2021

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, Ezek Ix or NeRObutBlanco.

France wins Nations League

Karim the Great had a wonder-strike, bending his ball around the fingertips of Unai Simón and just inside the far post. He was the best player for France hands down and won Man of the Match.

Lucho had a comment about this hit:

Was the second goal offside?

Marca posted an article with the explanation from the referee:

“Mbappe was offside, but the referee said that Eric went for the ball and that this started a new phase,” Busquets told RTVE.

Real Madrid lead the league in injuries — again

The team with by far the most injury problems

It’s just taken a month and a half for Real Madrid to top the injury leader board in Spain.

Last season they suffered the most injuries of any side in Spain’s top division with 60, which was 31 than eventual champions Atletico Madrid and 22 more than Barcelona.

This campaign there have already been 19 injuries between 14 players, suggesting not much has changed from last season.

The staff has been changed this year with Antonio Pintus being appointed to oversee the squad’s physical fitness with one of his main focuses being to attempt to reduce the volume of injuries, but the club can’t seem to find a solution to this issue.

Eder Militao was subbed off from Sunday’s game with back pain. Let’s hope he comes back to Real Madrid City, receives some hi-tech treatments and recovers well. Otherwise for the right center back position it’s looking like we might see Vallejo facing La Liga forwards without much game-time recently.

Camavinga also left the France U-21 camp with effects from the knock he sustained in the Espanyol match.

Real Madrid Femenino gets first league win of the season

Read MM’s immediate reaction here and the player ratings here.

Some reactions to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s acquisition of Newcastle United FC

Britain’s Distasteful Soccer Sellout

Newcastle bid suits Saudi more than UK soccer

Newcastle takeover leaves Saudi taste for conflicted fans