:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69016188/1920x10802montaje_seleccion3_20210323044251.0.jpg)
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.
The injury bug strikes again.
Just when we thought that we had reached the turning point with injuries, disaster has struck again with two key players looking at spells on the sideline. First as reported by Lucas Navarrete, Toni Kroos left the German National Team camp with a groin injury, the full extent of which we do not know yet and then reports from Marca came out that Fede Valverde has suffered a muscle injury which will sideline him for at least 2 weeks. It’s highly unlikely that he’ll feature against Liverpool. This is a massive blow at the worst possible time especially since Kroos, Modric and Casemiro have being playing non stop.
It’s also interesting to note that this injury crisis has also coincided with Antonio Pintus’ departure. His current team Inter Milan have not had anywhere near this level of an injury catastrophe, while Real Madrid have suffered 47 injuries thus far. Some food for thought.
Is Bayern trying to snap up Lucas Vazquez?
Per a report from AS, Bayern Munich is in discussions to bring in Real Madrid right-wing/right-back Lucas Vazquez on a free transfer this summer. Bayern Munich have moved ahead of the rest and have already approached Lucas Vázquez’s entourage to sign the Galician for next season. The player, who finishes his contract on June 30, has been waiting for several months for Madrid to improve his renewal offer, something that has not happened. Therefore, he has already begun to listen to offers and the German giant is now the one that has more options to get his services, as this newspaper has learned.
Revenge for Madrid’s links with Alaba? Maybe, maybe not. But one thing is certain, Real Madrid will need to sign a backup right back if Lucas does indeed leave.
Kick-off times (all in CET) for the Real Madrid players representing their national teams.
Ramos: Spain-Greece (Thursday 25, 8:45pm), Georgia-Spain (Sunday 28, 6pm), Spain-Kosovo (Wednesday 31, 8:45pm)
Varane and Mendy: France-Ukraine (Wednesday 24, 8:45pm), Kazakhstan-France (Sunday 28, 3pm), Bosnia-France (Wednesday 31, 8:45pm)
Modric: Slovenia-Croatia (Wednesday 24, 8:45pm), Croatia-Cyprus (Saturday 27, 6pm), Croatia-Malta (Tuesday 30, 8:45pm)
Courtois: Belgium-Wales (Wednesday 24, 8:45pm), Czech Republic-Belgium (Saturday 27, 8:45pm), Belgium-Belarus (Tuesday 30, 8:45pm)
Lunin: France-Ukraine (Wednesday 24, 8.45pm), Ukraine-Finland (Sunday 28, 8:45pm), Ukraine-Kazakhstan (Wednesday 31, 8:45pm)
ICYMI: Churros y Tácticas Podcast: Phil Ball on Xabi Alonso’s managerial career, Martin Odegaard, and more.
On this podcast, Kiyan Sobhani is joined by Phil Ball, acclaimed Spanish football author and journalist to discuss a range of topics from Xabi Alonso being appointed as manager of Borussia Mönchengladbach to Phil’s response to “Martin Odegaard is impatient” . Give it a listen if you haven’t done so already.