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♫ The Champions ♫

It’s yet another day for a potential heart attack if you are a Real Madrid fan! Our favourite competition is back ladies and gents! Today’s matches are the following:

• Liverpool VS Real Madrid
• City VS Dortmund

There’s probably little point in asking which game you are going to watch. This is a very important game for Real Madrid and the team have to give nothing less than their 100% to progress past the obstacle that is the K(l)op. Los Merengues carry an advantage heading into this game, having won the home leg 3-1. Yet, despite their obvious fatigue, they cannot afford to make errors and/or take the game lightly at all. Liverpool will for sure give all they have to make another miraculous Kop Comeback possible and if they manage to get into their groove, Los Blancos will be in for a very tough night.

In our team’s quality and fighting spirit we trust!

Zizou’s Options for RB/RWB

As you are all aware of, loyal soldier of Madrid Lucas Vazquez is out injured for the season and Dani Carvajal will not be featuring against Liverpool either as he has just recovered from injury and is therefore, far from match-fit. Now, here’s where it gets tricky. Lucas Vazquez had been playing out of position for a while (am I even in position to say that at this time?), covering for Carvajal at Right Back or playing Wing Back in Zidane’s new 3-at-the-back formation. Fede Valverde was also doubtful because of a bruise (also) sustained in the hard-fought clasico, but was included in the squad.

Taking the above into account, here are the (far from ideal) options our coach has:

• Play Fede Valverde -on painkillers if those reports are true. Everything about this option is obvious. Playing a player who is perhaps not 100% has it’s risks, despite being a known quantity. For example, he might be more afraid of diving into challenges. Of course, it’s not the first time a player plays in such conditions. Off the top of my head, Sergio Ramos also did it a while ago. Yes, it’s a bruise so not the greatest risk, but still.
• Play Alvaro Odriozola. The “Flash” has played very little this season. Yet, the team is kinda sorta out of options..

Everything apart from the above would be a first and I’m not sure if this is the game for experiments. Still, it would be interesting to see what Zidane has in store for Liverpool this time around.

Marca’s journalists also had an opinion on this matter. According to Pablo Polo (article adapted by P. Kostopoulos), the options are :1) to play Odriozola in a back 4, 2) Militao at RB w/Marcy at LB and Mendy(!)/Nacho as CBs and finally, 3) Fede as WB and a back three.

So, Madridistas... * in menacing voice * : “I want to play a game”

The results from the previous night

Two of the four teams for the semifinals have been confirmed. Last night, Porto beat Chelsea, but the final score being 1-2 on aggregate, means that Chelsea are through and will be facing either Real Madrid or Liverpool, depending on tonight’s result.

In a very entertaining match, PSG lost 0-1 at home to Bayern Munich, yet go through on away goals, the score being 3-3 on aggregate.

Michel Salgado reminisces about past glories

Former Real Madrid Right Back Michel Salgado - also one of my favourite players ever- talked about his time in Madrid and had some nice things to say about few of our all time greats. Short and interesting read. Particularily the Raul part.

Transfer Rumours

• Jesse.. Lindard?! Not sure where the Lingard rumour came from, but ESPN report that Real Madrid are interested in him. Truth be told, he has refound his joy for football at West Ham and is having a good season.

• Josep Pedrerol remains adamant that Los Blancos will sign Mbappe.

Fellow Madridistas, let’s hope for the best and make sure to support our favourite team! As always, may the madridismo be with you.