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Open Thread: April 22, 2021

Our Thursday issue of the Daily Merengue!

Cadiz CF v Real Madrid - La Liga Santander Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images

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.

Real Madrid defeat Cadiz 3-0, return to the top of the table

Benzema remained on fire with two goals and an assist. This brings him to second in the Pichichi race at 21 and even with Raul for all time LaLiga opponents scored against at 35.

The current standings:

A familiar Brazilian face

Real Madrid legend Marcelo had a message for the fans after the match:

Valverde cheered on Real Madrid from home

He seems to be well and hopefully recovers quickly. Click on the picture to see it in full.

Congratulations to Miguel Gutierrez for his first Los Blancos appearance

We have seen a number of quality products of the Real Madrid youth system this season — Park, Arribas, Blanco, and Chust, for example — and Guiterrez looked confident on the ball at left back.

Antonio Blanco lifted many spirits in midfield

Emily Wilson in her ratings was positive about his latest appearance:

Antonio Blanco — 7.5: I think many fans were asking themselves why Blanco hasn’t played in more senior matches this season. Handed a start after coming on as a sub against Getafe. Anticipated Cádiz’s movements very well and played the entire 90 minutes. Finished with 93% pass completion, one shot and one tackle.

We have to temper our expectations because he has not yet experienced the tests that LaLiga teams can throw at young midfielders, but the prospect is growing of Blanco as a first team player. Juan Ignacio G-Ochoa at Marca seems to have taken a liking to his game as well:

Antonio Blanco, what a player! Real Madrid may have stumbled across their next rising star. Blanco, who made his LaLiga debut against Getafe on Sunday, played from the start at the Estadio Ramon de Carranza. His performance was so good that you have to think he’ll be involved more often with the first team from next season.


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