Open Thread: June 11, 2021

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.

UEFA Euro 2020 begins today

The action gets under way at Rome’s Olympic Stadium on Friday where Italy will take on Turkey in front of 16000 fans. For the first time, the tournament is taking place in 11 cities across Europe — instead of one or two countries — despite the lingering shadow cast by the Covid-19 crisis. France’s fearsome forward line makes them favourites to win a third European crown at the pan-continental event.

Here are the groups once again.

Venues for the tournament:

Final and semi-finals, two round of 16 games, three group games

London, England: Wembley Stadium

Six group games, one quarter-final

Saint Petersburg, Russia: Saint Petersburg Stadium

Three group games, one quarter-final

Baku, Azerbaijan: Baku Olympic Stadium

Munich, Germany: Football Arena Munich

Rome, Italy: Olimpico in Rome

Three group games, one round of 16 game

Amsterdam, Netherlands: Johan Cruijff ArenA

Bucharest, Romania: National Arena Bucharest

Budapest, Hungary: Puskás Aréna

Copenhagen, Denmark: Parken Stadium

Glasgow, Scotland: Hampden Park

Seville, Spain: Stadium La Cartuja Sevilla

End of the road for Odriozola and more transfer updates.

As reported by Matt Wiltse, Alvaro Odriozola has been told he is not a part of Carlo Ancelotti’s plans, according to a report from Onda Cero. The club has communicated this message directly to the player. He has interest from both Milan clubs.

Real Madrid would not frown upon the departure of Raphael Varane. He has 1 more year of contract and has been offered to renew but he has not answered yet according to Melchor Ruiz of Deportes Cope.

Per Marca, Marcelo will stay at Real Madrid next season, unless unexpected events occur. His contract ends in 2022.

On this day!!!

Cristiano Ronaldo for Real Madrid.

• 450 goals.

• 131 assists.

• 438 games.

Also on this day!!

Real Madrid clinched their 24th league title after running out 3-0 winners over Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabéu. Butragueño, Hugo Sánchez and Gordillo were on the score sheet as the Whites secured the title on Matchday 36, with two games to spare. Real Madrid ended the 1988/89 league campaign, which was the fourth of the five successive titles lifted by the Quinta del Buitre, with a five-point buffer on Barcelona. In the individual stakes, 27-goal Hugo Sánchez was the team’s leading goal scorer in the competition. That campaign also saw Leo Beenhakker’s charges lift the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

Real Madrid