This mailbag edition of the Managing Madrid Podcast comes in two parts. Part 1 (Kiyan Sobhani, Ryan O'Hanlan) - Fernando Torres's retirement - Metrics to measure positional performance, and what space a player should in on the pitch when his team has the ball - How xP is calculated - How Real Madrid underperformed their xP last season - How much does Zinedine Zidane's three-peat give him a pass? - Is Paul Pogba's attitude really a significant distraction? - What does he bring to the table on the pitch? - Jan Oblak freak stats that make him undeniably the best goalkeeper in the world - The importance of a ball-playing GK - What this season peak-Messi? - And more Part 2 (Kiyan Sobhani, Matt Wiltse, Gabe Lezra) - How far away are we from baseball analytics? - How much would our La Liga form change over the past few years if we consistently had a second striker? - More lingering Marcos Llorente questions - Will other players follow Llorente's path? - Raul as Castilla manager - Comparing the season to the 2015 / 2016 season - And more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast comes in two parts. Part 1 (Kiyan Sobhani, Jonathan Johnson): - Zinedine Zidane's effort on signing Ferland Mendy - Mendy being a late-bloomer - How he does in big games - The latest with Tanguy Ndombele - Nasser Al Khelaifi, controversial quotes - Paul Pogba update - And more. Part 2 (Kiyan Sobhani, Matt Wiltse, on Real Madrid vs Manchester United in 2003) - How dominant Real Madrid were against Manchester United in the first leg - The context of the tie, and the near-elimination against Dortmund prior - How tactics and intensity have changed since then - How old Fernando Hierro performed - Luis Figo's goal - Raul's instinct. Breaking down both of his goals - The non-calls on Zidane, Ronaldo, and Guti - Ronaldo's performance - The presence of Roberto Carlos - Roberto Carlos vs Marcelo - Zidane's smoothness -- is there any footballer as aesthetically-pleasing since him? - Michel Salgado's performance - The famous Luis Figo death stare - And more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Matt Wiltse discuss: - The 2005 - 2006 season - How Real Madrid lost the first leg against Real Zaragoza in the Copa del Rey 6 - 1. - Why the team's situation was worse then than it is now - The post-peak Galactico's - David Beckham's unparalleled crossing - An assessment of Robinho - Zinedine Zidane on his last legs - Signings in the summer of '06 - Robinho's debut vs Cadiz - Jonathan Woodgate's legacy - All the defensive midfielders signed after Claude Makelele was sold - And a ton more from this game and season Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This Managing Madrid Podcast comes in two parts. Part One (Kay Murray, Kiyan Sobhani) - Some of Real Madrid's dark years before 2010 - Fabio Cannavaro's goodbye - Ramon Calderon's resignation - David Beckham kisses - Skipping training and missing a Roberto Carlos injury - The Riazor curse - Marcelo as a teenager - Kay's nightmare visit to the Benito Villamarin - David Beckham sold, but recalled - Beckham's legacy - Tamudazo - Iker Casillas kicking balls at Kay - Real Madrid vs Espanyol, May 12 2007 - Ruud Van Nistlerooy holding up Gonzalo Higuain's jersey - And more Part Two (Ray Hudson, Kiyan Sobhani) - Ray's polarizing commentary - Iconic commentary moments - Ronaldinho's bicycle against Villarreal - Iker Casillas's passion - What are the Real Madrid changes this summer? - Should Zinedine Zidane have total control? - Toni Kroos extension - Comparing the transfer strategies of Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City - Rewinding the mood to September - The unpredictability of football - And more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Euan McTear discuss: - The exodus at Atletico Madrid - The atmosphere at the Bernabeu since March - Contract renewals for Real's core - First signings, and the status of Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic - Frankfurt's demands - Rodri Hernandez's release clause - Why Atletico should go for Mauro Icardi - Who replaces Antoine Griezmann? - The future of Atletico's defense - And more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Om Arvind discuss: - La Liga's wonky scheduling - Pros and cons of getting Vinicius Jr in the Segunda B playoffs - Cristiano Ronaldo's legacy if he doesn't win a Champions League with Juventus - What Juventus should do in the off-season - Real Madrid and Barcelona's policy with regards to coaching appointments - Zinedine Zidane's quotes about quitting if he doesn't have control over squad building - The arguments for waiting until the season was over before appointing Zidane - Everyone's role within the club, and what is lacking in the organizational structure - Raul de Tomas 'vs' Mariano - Kawhi Leonard's shot - Top-three Real Madrid jerseys from the last decade - Barcelona's signings this summer - Most urgent positions Real need an upgrade in - How to fit the best attacking players on the pitch without sacrificing transition defense - Generational footballers - And more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Eduardo Alvarez discuss: - What it means to let Zinedine Zidane build his own Real Madrid - Is he still going to get that freedom? Why the feeling has changed - Certain journalists in Madrid on Florentino's strings - The fate of certain players depending on the manager - Who should actually make the decisions on signings? - Missing a Jorge Valdano figure  - How much power should the coach actually have? - Raul Gonzalez's impact on our fandom - And more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Om Arvind discuss: - What to take away from these final games - The performances of Marcelo, Jesus Vallejo, and Toni Kroos - Villarreal's awful performance and tactical shape, for context - Brahim Diaz assessment, and how Zinedine Zidane views him - What to do with Marco Asensio - The misuse of Mariano Diaz - Paul Pogba's wage - Sergio Ramos as a potential coach - Wan Bissaka - And more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Alex Goldberg discuss: - The links between Chelsea and Real Madrid - Mateo Kovacic assessment, and how it's changed since the beginning of the season - His weaknesses and best role - The competition with Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek - His relationship with Jorginho - Luka Jovic, and what he brings to the table for Real Madrid if he signs - What makes Eden Hazard so special - How Vinicius Jr and Hazard can coexist - Hazard's best role - His potential connection with Karim Benzema - Some Thibaut Courtois banter - How Chelsea can plan for a post-Hazard era - And more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is a special episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, as we record our first ever episode in front of a live audience. Kiyan Sobhani is joined by Christian Paredes and Kenneth Jamora to have an intimate conversation with Peña members and Patrons on the direction of the team, and Florentino Perez's presidency.  Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast comes in two parts: Part One, Kiyan Sobhani and Alan Smith: - Paul Pogba to Real Madrid rumours -- his mentality, how he would potentially fit, etc - The closes player comp in modern football to Alan - Alan's strike partnership with Gary Lineker - His phone call from Sir Alex Ferguson in 1987 - Separating fandom from commentary - The art of FIFA commentating - What it's like working with Martin Tyler - His most famous FIFA line - What's changed in football since Alan's playing days - Leicester winning the title - Jamie Vardy deciding to stay in Leicester rather than signing with Arsenal - What happened to Lucas Perez? - Shkodran Mustafi's regression - What's next for Arsenal? - The Aaron Ramsey Situation - Alan's predictionsL EPL 4th place, EPL winner, Liverpool vs Barcelona Part Two (51:13) Sam Sharpe and Kristofer McCormack: It’s time for podcast number two of my (Sam Sharpe) hopefully ten part series! If you need a recap, then you can listen to the first episode with Barcelona B expert Navid Molaaghaei here! Irishman Kristofer McCormack is a fresh addition to the ManagingMadrid team, and he possess a large amount of Castilla knowledge. Because of this, it was easy to get lost discussing everything from buy-back clauses, to Javier Belman to Martin Ødegaard and everything in-between. Two recent pieces that you have to read include a briefing on Raúl, the manager - and an article on the history of Real Madrid Castilla. Thanks for Kris for coming on, and to all of you who asked questions and contributed to the podcast, now relax and enjoy!  Look out for Kristofer’s next piece dropping on ManagingMadrid in the next few days. I have some juicy guests in the works for the next few shows. Who would you like to see on the podcast next? Remember feedback is always appreciated and I’d love to know what you guys are thinking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reminder: LIVE Managing Madrid Podcast happening in San Francisco on April 28th! On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani, Matt Wiltse, and Gabe Lezra discuss: - Real Madrid standouts against Athletic Bilbao - Jesus Vallejo's performance - Real Madrid's center-backs next season - The difference between the first and second halves - Marco Asensio's best position - The accurate long balls and impressive cross-field switching from Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Raphael Varane - Iago Herrerin disasterclass - Karim Benzema's hat-trick, the myth that Cristiano Ronaldo held him back, and telling stats about this season - Casemiro's place in the this team - Discrepancies in opinion about Benzema - And more. Did you enjoy this show? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Purchase Managing Madrid swag here: https://teespring.com/stores/managingmadridswag On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast Kiyan Sobhani and Matt Wiltse discuss: - A very long end to the season - Where to find solace - Zinedine Zidane's pre-game comments about Marcos Llorente - Nervousness about who Zidane chooses for next season - Marcelo and Isco's performances, and place next season - Mariano and Sergio Reguilon situations - Where the team's poison lies - In defense of Marco Asensio - The team missing Vinicius's flair - The team's slow attack - Jorge Valdano wisdom - Casemiro's performance - Breaking down the goal conceded, and also the Martin Braithwaite chance - Answering a question about Reguilon's future - What is Casemiro's market value? - And more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Eduardo Alvarez discuss: - Ed's article on ending Barcelona's domestic dominance - Real Madrid's priorities - Common traits in the seasons Real Madrid do well in La Liga - How can Zinedine Zidane turn the team around  - Raul Gonzalez and Xabi Alonso getting promoted in the youth ranks - Paul Pogba's fit - The goalkeeping situation next season - And more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Mike Goodman discuss: - xG and xGA among the top 4 leagues, and what they can tell us - La Liga's low attacking numbers - Premier League's strength - The money distribution in La Liga - Depth of the Premier League - Which stat is football lacking? - OPPDA stat - Examples of bad stats taken out of context - The efficiency of crossing, and particularly in the context of Zidane's tactics - Cristiano Ronaldo and Mario Mandzukic pairing at Juventus - How to break low blocks - Manchester City's incredible knack of scoring the same type of goal over and over again - xGA for goalkeepers - A hypothetical Spanish + French Real Madrid XI (for the future) - And more Did you enjoy this episode? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani, Matt Wiltse, and Brendan Powers discuss: - Zidane's line-up - Luca Zidane's performance - Nacho's performance (and season, and future) - An assessment of Brahim Diaz - Alvaro Odriozola's performance - Was Gareth Bale really that bad? - Marcos Llorente's return - Zidane's press - How to adjust tactically when losing 'height' after Ronaldo's departure - Mariano Diaz's situation - What Eden Hazard's role would be with Real Madrid - And more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Sam Sharpe discuss: - Revisiting the Santiago Solari stint - The Best players in Castilla currently - An update on Aleix Febas, Alvaro Tejero, and Luismi Quezada - Pedro Ruiz, the striker compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Why some of the team's best players aren't playing regularly - Brahim Diaz - Sergio Lopez situation - Cristo Gonzalez's next stop - The next Castilla coach - An update on Raul Gonzalez and Xabi Alonso - The identity of the academy - How does Castilla compare to other academies? - Which players Real should hold on to - Javi Sanchez - And more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Matt Wiltse discuss: - Real Madrid's win over Celta and all it's wrinkles - Contextualizing the match -- sample size, opponent -- while discussing the encouraging signs - Zidane's line-up selection - The performances of Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio on the flanks - The crosses compared to the season average this season, both home and away, and why Zidane likes to rely on them (and explaining a crossing scheme in general, and why it can and can't work) - Isco's return - Ditto Marcelo - Bale's role, historically, under Zidane - Odriozola's physical traits - Zidane's subs - And much more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Tiago Estêvão discuss: - The sample size for Eder Militao's strong play - His best position - Is his versatility overstated? - His play since Pepe's arrival - His mindset and off-field distractions - How would he cope with more defensive tests? - Player comps, and parallels to Sergio Ramos - And more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Matt Wiltse discuss: - A strange start to the match in Valladolid - Real Madrid's problems in the first half hour of the game - Lack of coverage on the flanks - The mental state of the team during Valladolid's goal - Real Madrid's turning point: Varane's goal - Alvaro Odriozola's performance - Marco Asensio's performance - When to sack Santiago Solari - And more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Quick bonus podcast for you all. We'll record a more thorough podcast for our Patrons tonight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Eduardo Alvarez discuss: - The regression from the team from the Copa match, and Barcelona's adjustments - Real Madrid making Barcelona uncomfortable in the second half, but not having enough firepower in attack - Santiago Solari's subs, and the performances of Fede Valverde and Isco - The performance of Vinicius Jr - The performance of Gareth Bale - Real's transition year, and post-game hints of a changing of the guard this summer - The coaching debate (What Solari will want to implement long term, the team's identity, who they need this summer, etc) - Revisiting Ronaldo's departure - And more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani, Gabe Lezra, and Brendan Powers discuss: - Miscellaneous Real Madrid talk to prolong talking about this match - Real Madrid's poor passing, as well as their defensive issues - Nacho's regression this season - Vinicius's and Casemiro's performances - Solari's rotations this month, and we'll see in the upcoming games - Atletico Madrid's post-game tweet, and Carvajal's response - Bad club social media accounts in general - Casemiro's penalty, and new slow-mo replays - A discussion on VAR - Gareth Bale's celebration - Lucas Vazquez's starting role - Why has the team regressed since the Clasico and Derby? - And more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid. Also, please leave us a 5-star rating on iTunes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

UNLOCKED! Hosts Gabe Lezra (@ElEzrah) and Om Arvind (@OmVArvind) talk all the newest Bale and Marcelo gossip on this unlocked patron-only podcast, before diving into the four Real Madrid-less Champions League matches. Also plenty of Spanish media criticism! They suck, folks! They break down the tactics in Barcelona 0-0 Lyon (and why Lyon actually has a shot at the Nou Camp, despite their performance), and Atletico Madrid 2-0 Juventus--and why Juve are really on the brink after coming out in a semi-cowardly tactical position. Some other topics: *Bale's "integration" problems and why it's just a complete slander concocted by the Spanish press. *The wide-ranging campaign against Marcelo that has nothing to do with his current poor form. *Why Bayern, despite a declining squad, managed to go into Anfield and execute a strong gameplan. *Barcelona's Valverde obsession, and why they might have a point in criticizing a very strong coach. *Barcelona fans pretentiousness as they approach the "correct" way to play *a sport*. *Juventus' tactical failures in the Wanda and how exactly Allegri failed. *Simeone's vintage performance and Diego Costa's return. *The Spanish media's enduring crusade against any foreign-born star that is "keeping out" a promising young Spaniard--and some classic examples. *Why Gabe stans Chiringuito de Jugones. Managing Madrid is a hub for all Madridistas with updated news, op-eds, tactical analyses, artwork, and of course, podcasts. It also serves as a means for Real Madrid fans to connect and discuss the team. We would like your support so that we can continue to produce podcasts for you. The site is run by a small team that works tirelessly around the clock to make it into what it is today. Your contributions will allow us to continue to have a real and full-time presence in keeping this website, and it’s podcasts, going. Hosts this week: Gabe Lezra (@ElEzrah) Om Arvind (@OmVArvind) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani discusses: - The difference between Real Madrid's first half and second half - The Vinicius Jr / Karim Benzema connection; and how it compares to the Cristiano Ronaldo / Benzema dyad - Mauricio Pochettino's ability to create an identity (not randomly thrown in after a loss -- just an answer to a question) - Vinicius's positioning - Mariano Diaz playing time and what he brings to the table if he plays more - Sergio Ramos longevity - Can Casemiro become a consistently press-resistant player? - Marcelo's defending - Were Solari's issues fatigue related? (And answer to this question before discussing the real problems against Girona) - Ramos suspension update - And more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid. Also, please leave us a 5-star rating on iTunes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices