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 those mods you’d totally play 5v5 with: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, YoSnail, Ezek Ix or... yours truly.

* Sigh *... I get the FIFA break of all things. Oh well, here goes. There’s a bit of singing in this one to better kickstart your week.

Another performance below expectations

Let’s make a short review of Real Madrid’s previous week; First we look far from convincing in our draw against Villarreal. The we lose to Sheriff Tiraspol - a team of UCL newcomers from an unrecognized state (and I don’t mean it as an insult) - in the Santiago Bernabeu. Yes, the score could have looked very different but it’s a defeat that stings nonetheless. It’s a humiliation for which there’s no sugarcoating sweet enough. That defeat probably shook everyone and above all, the coach and his players. But you have to wonder who’s next. Mordor? Narnia? Vengerberg? Tatooine Tusken Raiders?

Well, the answer to that question turned out to be “Espanyol”. Newly re-promoted La Liga veterans Espanyol. We lost to them too and the first half was especially bad. I think the Eyebrow added a little too much fluidity to the attack. So much in fact, that it confused our own XI. Other than our on-the-ball shape, the defense also showed the vulnerability we’re already growing accustomed to.

While it’s true that there’s a lot this team have to work on, I wouldn’t get completely disheartened just yet. It’s early, our points are enough for us to be joint-top of the table and... there’s the international break. This break will allow Mendy, Marcelo and Carvajal some time to recover and be available for a tough matchweek, during which Los Blancos face Bilbao (postponed), Shakhtar (yes the one you probably remember all too well from last year) and finally, Barcelona in the Clasico. If there’s something that can give madridistas some hope, apart from the players’ recoveries, it’s the fact that you can bet Carlo will be meditating on how to fix this team during said break.

Revenge of the Ex

(sheesh it sounds like a horror movie. A slasher maybe)

* Ahem *

♫ And I wonder if I ever cross your mind...

For me it happens allllllll the tiiiiiime ♫

* inhales *

♫ It’s a quarter into the half

near post is all alone

and I need you nowwww ♫

Yare yare daze. It happens a little too often, doesn’t it. Real Madrid face a team with an ex-player or academy graduate in their XI and they come back to haunt them. Well, this time was no different. In the Espanyol game, the home team’s first goal was scored by ex-Madrid player Raul De Tomas, A.K.A. “R.D.T.” (yes no kidding). It’s pretty much obligatory at this point and as most people will tell you, too much contact with exes can be detrimental. Seriously, you never know. It could even cost you a league title or two.

Managing Mbappe: issue 7248691

♫ THE SHOW MUST GO ON ♫

Pogba & Tielemans Rumors

According to El Nacional, Real Madrid have been offered Pogba and are also showing an interest in Leicester City’s midfielder Youri Boyka Tielemans. According to the same source, Tielemans’ transfer would mean that Casemiro’s position in the squad wouldn’t be as important and well-held as it is currently... and he would probably leave. Now about that last one, instead of taking it with a grain of salt, I think you might as well go ahead and drink sea water while reading.

Reminiscing...

♫ Oh can’t you see I’m not fooling nobody

Don’t you see....

The tears are falling down my face ♫

Have a nice start to your week ya all. May the madridismo be with you.