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 your much-beloved mods: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, YoSnail, Ezek Ix or yours truly.

Inferno Week Match 2 is behind us, but..

What a game that was! In the final minute, Real Madrid’s goal looked like the opening scene from Saving Private Ryan. Moriba hiting the bar at the death still has me shaken. After a hard-fought battle, Real Madrid made it through el clasico bringing home the three points, but not unscathed. The injury list grows once again, as Lucas Vazquez is out for the season ( still can’t believe I’m saying this), while Toni “The German Sniper” Kroos and Fede Valverde were substituted with knocks. This leaves Los Merengues severely weakened, heading into a very crucial match against a Liverpool team that are certain to not throw in the towel.

The band is gearing up for the Anfield game

As usual, Los Blancos returned to training ahead of the crucial second-leg game against Liverpool.

Big Benz’s museum of Golazos

That Benzema guy is apparently fairly competent at football huh... Who would have thought. Well of course he is! There is a reason he’s been around here for so many years and played under many different managers. Big Benz came up big yet again in the clasico on Saturday, scoring an absolute beauty of a backheel goal to give the Royal Whites the lead. Seriously, that goal was nothing less than a work of art. It was very similar to that goal Cristiano had scored against Hungary in Euro 2016.

Anyway, over the years, Benzema has shown some great skills and has a pretty big collection of beautiful goals that we’ll remember long after he’s moved on (however far away that may seem right now). So, to relieve some potential anxiety ahead of the 2nd leg clash against Liverpool, I’d like to ask you guys; What are some awesome Benzema goals you remember fondly?

I’ll go ahead and be the first to answer with a few off the top of my head. I’ll pick his acrobatic finish vs Ajax back in 2012-13, his superb control and volley vs Getafe this season and his cold-as-ice finish against Levante back in October.

So... “how’s Valverde doing?”

Thankfully, Fede wasn’t nearly as unlucky as our great soldier Lucas, who injured his PCL after Busquets caught him with his spikes. He seems to have a bruise on his leg - according to Melchor Ruiz that is..- and is “doubtful” for the Liverpool game. The straight truth, however, is that we won’t know until someone from inside the club talks about it. He might be available and he might not, but hey, at least it’s probably nothing serious. We’ll have to see how this goes. So, for the time being- to quote Anakin Skywalker, “I say patience”.

Perez might not have competition for the presidency

Yup. Marca reports that Enrique Riquelme pulled out of the running, due to the advancement of the elections. Therefore, Uncle Flo will be re-elected president for a sixth(!!) term, unless other bids are made till Tuesday.

PSG preparing for life without Mbappe?

Now this might be good news for many madridistas, though I wouldn’t get my hopes up just yet. Telefoot reports that PSG are thinking about how they will set their team up if Mbappe does end up leaving them for a new adventure. One of their ideas, actually includes Barcelona talisman Leo Messi! Mbappe hasn’t renewed and he’s been in talks with his club for quite a while now. It might be a sign that the young superstar wants to move, but for now, one can understand why he isn’t talking about his plans. Naturally, he will want to focus on ending the season as strong as possible, as PSG are still in the race for three trophies. And who knows? We might even end up facing him!

Have a great day and may the madridismo be with you all!