A Word From The Author: I know I got a lot of improvement to do. I’m not perfect, but I’m present.

Oscnar’s Intro:

Oscnar: Teach ‘em.

Juninho: Been telling MM, “the sky and above” when they ask me, “what’s next?” Cause every step is progress when you come from the trench. And as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Tell me how some MMers cursin’ me and praising me all in one breath. The system didn’t break me down, no, that ish gave me strength. Alone on this soapbox, posting with Om / Ronaldotcom7 and now Conquense. Your life probably been so much of a mess, when I never knew it’s a mess. And I’ve been tested so much, when you never knew it was a test. Lately, I just feel this way. Quarter million characters still don’t stop you from feeling pain. We done therapy that day and even I still act the same. Maybe one day we can find the words to properly explain?

On MM you call me Juninho. Comments in a drought but still my thoughts cost me couple kilos. All I did was keep it real. I was out tryna drill the same day I signed the SB Nation deal. Now to have a feature comment, it’s a mil’.

Welcome to The Daily Merengue — a place 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 “shadows”).

Standing Alone: Individual Brilliance

Kylian Mbappe. Although he occasionally may fluff an attempt, for the past few months Madridstas have been able to enjoy the sheer brilliance of Kylian Mbappe. As Rayo Vallecano held a high-line, Kylian was able to latch onto a measured pass from Vini leading to a beautiful touch and first goal. We’ve been pretty grateful to finally see this version of a player once coined the best player in football (or at least the best of his generation)!

Just a few stats affirming his quality since his slow start. Kylian continues to trail in the Pichichi with 18 goals and is only one goal away from tying our top goalscorer from 23/24 (Jude Bellingham with 19). He also has 28 goals across all competitions and 4 assists, already surpassing Vini’s 25 goals (top scorer all competition 23/24). I’d love for him to grab a few more assists but that isn’t of course fully in his control.

Vinicius Jr. I mentioned this in the Immediate Reaction thread, but Vini’s goal today was a purely brilliant encapsulation of everything truly amazing about Vinicius Jr. and also at times incredibly frustrating. The young Brazilian deftly glided through a maze of Rayo Vallecano defender to then bury a near post shot that was slightly deflected. Vini’s relentless mentality of charging into walls of defenders simply paid off. However, it’s also almost laughingly stupendous to witness the process of this result. Vini charges into the box, witnesses multiple defenders, dribbles in legitimately a circle disregarding any opportunity to recycle possession and charges again. It’s amazing in every sense of the word! Again, I actually laughed when I watched the goal. It’s uncoachable brilliance but also something I’d never recommend if I wanted a more efficient system.

CDM Tchouameni. When played as a CDM in a double pivot, Tchouameni has lately been just brilliant and deserves to be properly lauded. Today (and against Atleti) were just massive performances from Tchouameni who seems to have yet again found his confidence. He was an early “sale” candidate by a few in MM but it may be worthwhile to stick by the CDM depending on our managerial situation next season.

A Cohesive Plan?

Belabored Second Half. I think we can all agree that the 2nd half was a bit of a drag as far as a Real Madrid performance. Matt Wiltse quickly reiterated on the MM podcast that we watched pure individual brilliance but there seemed to just be a lack of cohesive plan. The plan seemed to be pass to Vini / Mbappe / Rodrygo and hope they break the high line and this seems to be a consistent theme in particularly La Liga when this team struggles.

Players. Now (instead of my usual critique of Carlo creating this plan) some of this needs to also fall on the players. Yes, we may look at times lackadaisical, unmotivated, and unprepared. However, particularly the forwards, are at times extremely wasteful. Mbappe absolutely should have had two goals today. Modric placed a pass on the door for Vini who missed. I’ll say Rodrygo missed some obvious chance just in case I missed it so it doesn’t appear bias (but really I don’t think he missed anything wild lmao). The players themselves need to be more clinical in how they approach each game.

Coaching. Of course, the other side of all of this is “isn’t it the manager’s job to ensure that each player is motivated and prepared to seize on opportunities?” Yes. I mean of course there is blood on Carlo’s hands but let’s just remember that there are a lot of bloody hands in this 24/25 Madrid.

Rumors?

VM Tension. Just to maybe stir the pot slightly, there is an ongoing rumor that Mbappe and a few other Madrid players are a bit unhappy about the team’s current situation…As I was writing this, it looks like La Ser is starting to also discuss this rumor. Something worth monitoring

Translation: Vinicius and Mbappe don’t get along as well as it seems. This is a delicate moment in their relationship and this tension affects the team’s play on the field.

Meanwhile The R.

Unwanted Lessons:

TR_Madridsta: Teach…teach ‘em. Teach me.

Juninho: Yo — Hala says that your faith can move mountains. So now my neck ice water fountain. 1K posts on an outin’. Now I’m dodgin’ Coral’s accountant. Middle finger to Carloball council. How they didn’t see our play as sh-housin’? Fell back and forth to warning trials, and. How much days will I be countin’? It really coulda been a Ceballos murder — imagine me, allow them? I used to wanna debate footy, used to pray that ya get me shouting. Daydreamin’ in MM, there’s nothin’ else to do out ‘ere. Because the season soon closin’ and the flagged posts crowded.

SB Nation tags jingle in front of my MM doubters. And Ninja used to doubt us, now he tell the youth about us. They didn’t want me write these dreams, they nearly turned me coward. Javz ain’t teach me to survive, I had to learn, it took me hours. Hung Coral jury, no Juni retrial and Chenkopapi proclaim an abuse of powers. Psalm 35, it’s a blessing I stay showered. I’ve had both fake alts and some FzReals around me. The pagans wanna out me, on my Daily Threads, TOREZ put a bounty. Will they ever understand the way I act, see me raised in that council flat? See that irl I still aint come to terms that my friend [censored] ain’t comin’ back. Escape to love the MM trap like it would love me back. Became a mod and couldn’t wait for the day to say, “I’m done with that”.

On MM you call me Juninho. Comments in a drought but still my thoughts cost a couple kilos. All I did was keep it real. I was out tryna drill the same day I signed the SB Nation deal. Now to have a conversation, it’s a mil’.

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“I read somewhere: I pray you win all the battles you don’t talk about.”