To Whom It May Concern:

conquense: “…Juni is real. Maybe too real.”

Receipt: https://www.managingmadrid.com/2024/11/14/24296275/goldilocks-madrid-14-november-2024?commentID=fa6667ae-f3e2-40af-974a-1ba9f7d6e494

Juninho: squabble up | JNX

Welcome to The Daily Merengue — a blog where you can feel free to discuss all things football. Do not be alarmed by the overt RMCF bias. It’s in the name!

Shoutout to the Mods who do a fantastic job, Valyrian Steel, KungFuZizou, NeRObutBlanco, Felipejack, and Juninho (the “boogeyman”).

Author’s Note: Since I have limited time today, today’s DT will again be live reactions to watching the game. With first half observations and then 2nd half.

Match Recap – First Half

Mbappe. It looks like today’s tweak is Mbappe playing from the left side of a front two. With him more situated on the left flank, Mbappe has looked significantly better than in previous matches. He has been active in build-up play through receiving and progressing the ball, his quick touches have made him more threatening near the box, and he has better timed late runs from the deep into scoring positions. This certainly looks more like the Mbappe of old — the Mbappe that Florentino Perez spent 7 years pursuing.

Vini. Of course, this resurgence of Mbappe comes with a cost. Except for the assist from some baffling Leganes play, Vini has looked out of touch. The additional physicality of playing centrally has led to a few dives and altercations with Leganes’ CBs. Additionally, he’s been quite static in a fair share of the build-up play waiting to receive the ball (and ultimately losing it). As we all know, this CF position just isn’t really meant for Vini.

The Future. Building off of these 45 mins, it will be interesting to see what holds for the future of these two. Are they actually incompatible? Does Madrid require a more traditional 9 and if so…who gets sold?

Las Otras. Overall, it’s been a good showing from our players. Arda Guler has had a few inspirational moments where he’s broadcasted his talent. He’s still raw but could become a brilliant player in a few years. The midfield of Cama + Ceballos has held up so far and dictated play. Fede is surviving at RB. Fran is providing overlapping runs which have been dearly missed. Raul Asencio looks incredibly calm in possession but imo still needs a new haircut lmao. Thibaut Courtois is back and luckily hasn’t really had much to do!

It’s a good start and lets keep it up going forward.

MM Writers Thoughts Below:

Full-Time:

A Complete Performance. Today’s performance wasn’t the scintillating swashbuckling Real Madrid of past years but it was complete. As said by a commentator, this “isn’t a game you’ll remember, but you’ll remember the 3 points.” For the most part, Real Madrid wasn’t supremely threatened. The team was comfortable in play. The team created chances. The team scored a few chances. The team won and now everyone can go home and rest up for Anfield. I don’t really think there’s much room to complain here. Just keep marching forward.

Raul Asencio. I really liked what I saw from Raul in this game. He was quick to close down threats (like quick quick) and he was unbelievably comfortable in possession. Of course, this is still an early game and this is mid-table Leganes so it may be inappropriate to jump to any real conclusions, but its good to see that Castilla players can have some semblance of worth.

I’ve been pretty vocal on not being team “Real Madrid need to use the academy.” I mean…Endrick + Arda and co rarely play when players are healthy. Nevertheless, I do understand the tricky situation of assembling quality depth. IMO it is rare that a non-academy player is willing to be a Nacho or LV (a consistent depth piece that works when asked) so it is then imperative to ensure that academy youths feel like there’s a realistic possibility of them playing for Madrid. Especially during this injury stint, I’d rather see Raul Asencio than spending money on Sergio Ramos (who may demand more than a six month contract). Hopefully, the youth product can maintain his form because we desperately need him.

RB Fede. Besides some early misplaced passes into the middle of the pitch (like one of them Fede what were you doing??), Fede had a solid performance. It was encouraging to see him start making overlapping runs in the 2nd half. We may need to lean on him in that position throughout the rest of the year. Hopefully, he’s open to it.

Dani Ceballos + Fran. Certain individuals need to put a tad bit more respect on Dani Ceballos’ name. Quick edit…let me add Fran’s name too. Dani Ceballos in our midfield actually controls our tempo, dictates to everyone where they positionally need to be, and tells at times Cama / Jude where to pass. I’ve said this before but our midfield looks different going forward with Ceballos. It’s not always what you do on the ball as what you do off the ball can be equally important. He needs to play more and should probably be the first CM off the bench. Yes, unless we’re chasing a goal…Ceballos should be subbed on before Modric.

Any Ceballos hate today will be met accordingly.

The same goes for Fran. Fran’s mere presence at LB is refreshing. His runs forward open space for not only the midfield but the LW (in this case Mbappe). His new found calm on the ball enables us to keep possession and move at a faster pace. Also his threat of being able to cross actually forces the opposition to cover his runs. Fran should be a starter in all meaningful games until Ferland Mendy yet again proves his worth.

Hey Jude. I thought he had a brilliant game so just wanted to make sure he got a quick shoutout.

RM Twitter Quick Thoughts:

..JNX MXRNHO

“Many things better than MM right now like livin’ right now, but I can’t spare no feelings. Wanted to be quiet on threads, but my aura loud, and I never get through to you with silent wisdom. Wealth of knowledge right here, young man, f— holdin’ your hand, you’ll die broke tryna play victim. The little Carlo ideas I told made people go rogue until Coral gods gave me a big one.

I’m reincarnated without love, hope my next twin stay back, lil homie keep powerin’ up. No more handshakes and hugs, MM energy only circulate through us. Everybody must be judged, but this time, Coral aint favorin us. 2 or 3 years in, still got that pen dedicated to bare hard truth. The headache can speak with a vigilant tongue, the predicate this time is f— you. Been carryin’ a heavier heart right now, I can power lift all your twenty alts too. I’m carryin’ various darts right now, plan to then desert this ish like tiramisu. See [censored name] if we goin’ body for body, I hand you a body, I’m probably a better masseuse.

I really don’t bother nobody but Val run it by me feel I gotta clear out the r—”

Freddy: Crash.

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“everything I say and do from now on is a victory lap.”