Open Thread: July 14, 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.

Real Madrid think leaked audio clips are part of a campaign against European Super League.

Real Madrid believe that the quotes from the leaked audios published on Tuesday morning are part of a smear campaign against president Florentino Perez and his failed European Super League project.

The quotes come from 2006 and were originally published in 2015, so Los Blancos believe that the timing of their resurfacing forms part of a continued plot to tarnish their president’s image.

In the leaked conversations, Perez called club icons Iker Casillas and Raul Gonzalez “frauds” and criticized players in general as “selfish” and not to be trusted.

Kiyan Sobhani, Matt Wiltse, Sam Sharpe, Kristofer McCormack, and Ruben Skjerping discuss more of this in the Managing Madrid Podcast.

Another closed door match planned for this Sunday.

The club also confirmed its second official friendly against Stefano Pioli’s AC Milan.

Several Real Madrid players have been linked with a move to AC Milan. Brahim Diaz may be an AC Milan player by the time this match is played with many reports suggesting that a loan with an option to buy has been finalized. Real Madrid would then hold a re-purchase option over the player. Other players linked, have included Luka Jovic and Alvaro Odriozola.

Team of the tournament for Euro 2020 and Copa America 2021

No Real Madrid players made it to the Euro 2020 team of the tournament which expectedly comprised mainly of players from England and Italy, however Casemiro was the lone Madridista who made it to the Copa America 2021 team of the tournament. Let us know in the comments if you agree with these selections.