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 favourite mods: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, YoSnail, Ezek Ix or yours truly.

Karim Benzema has now played 109 CL games for Madrid

That’s right. Time flies doesn’t it... Now Real Madrid’s No 9 has the fourth most Champions League matches played for Los Blancos. Number 3 is still playing and guess who it is; “El Capitan” Sergio Ramos with 128 appearances in said competition.

An interesting stat about Chelsea

Apparently, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel (in case you’ve been living under a rock, we’ll be facing them in the semifinals) has never lost a game to Zinedine Zidane and neither have Chelsea to Real Madrid, though the last time the teams met was back in 1998 for a European Supercup game. What do you think? Will Zizou have his number this time around?

Kind reminder that Real Madrid have broken worse trends than this one. Say, like a certain “Can’t win the Champions League twice in a row” taboo for example. Of course, this doesn’t guarantee anything.

Also, Ziyach scored in both of the 2019 Round of 16 legs, knocking as out of the competition as part of the Ajax team that made the semis.

Some much needed revenew

According to Marca, Real Madrid will earn close to 100 mil, for making the semifinals of the Champions League. This is most certainly a welcome financial boost, given the whole pandemic situation and all and who knows? Perhaps it can help us land a player or two. Even if it doesn’t, this is money that will still help our club. Don’t forget that there’s also a certain Santiago Bernabeu stadium being renovated into what’s essentially the new Death Star of some sort.

Have a great day and as always, may the madridismo be with you.