Open Thread: March 22, 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.

La Liga title race heats up.

Following Real Madrid’s win on Saturday both Atletico and Barcelona responded with wins of their own pushing Real Madrid back into third place with ten games remaining. Atletico were fortunate to grab all three points after Oblak brilliantly saved a 86th minute penalty off Joselu, thereby securing the 1-0 win. Luis Suarez once again was on the scoresheet. Barca meanwhile required no such luck as they thrashed Sociedad 6-1 with Messi grabbing a brace. With El Classico looming Messi, De Jong and Nacho will have to avoid a yellow card in the next game or they will miss the titanic clash. Here’s how the table stands.

International Break Returns.

There will be no la liga action for two weeks as some of the players head off to join their national team squads ahead of world cup qualifying matches. Only seven Madridistas will be taking part in this round of International fixtures but barring Lunin they are all starters and this squad can ill afford anymore injuries so lets keep our fingers crossed.

Loan Watch: Odegaard vs West Ham and Brahim against Fiorentina.

Martin Odegaard started for Arsenal and quickly found his side down 3-0. The young midfielder had a good game however and helped his side with the comeback. Arsenal eventually drew 3-3 courtesy of a Lacazette equalizer. Here are some of Odegaard’s stats from the game.

Brahim Diaz meanwhile also started and even scored against Fiorentina helping Milan stay in second place in the Serie A standings with a 3-2 win.

Real Madrid Castilla secure a place in the Segunda B promotion phase.

As covered by Kristofer McCormack, Raul’s side are officially through to the promotion phase of the Segunda B season after a 1-1 draw with Group 1 winners San Sebastian de los Reyes. Marvin Park scored this Golazo for the whites. Now if someone can actually figure out how it all works to gain promotion to the second tier of Spanish football that would be great.