On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Kristian Jack discuss: - TSN losing Champions League rights, and how that affects Canadian soccer - Kristian's new football podcast - Barcelona's weaknesses, and how Real Madrid exploited them - Gerard Pique's body language and connection with Semedo in El Clasico - How will Barca's game hold up against Europe's best team in the Champions League? - Looking ahead to an interesting Manchester United vs PSG tie - Eden Hazard's comments: Are they necessary? Has he outgrown Chelsea? What is the likelihood Real signs him? - Sarriball issues - Assessment of Mateo Kovacic's season - Mauricio Pochettino's lack of trophies -- a fair criticism? - Marcelo's defensive liability, where Sergio Reguilon fits in big games, etc - Analyzing the perplexing Solari / Isco situation - And more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please leave us a 5-star rating on iTunes. Also, 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 front-three: an assessment - Karim Benzema's hot form, and some context to go with it - Gareth Bale's passivity, and, does he get a start in the Camp Nou? - Why Vinicius Jr's performances and defending have been exemplary - Can Karim Benzema sustain this streak, and can the team find a second goalscorer to help him? - The performance of the midfield - Did Alaves deserve anything from this game? - Not as much energy throughout the 90, but finally capitalizing on Barcelona and Atletico Madrid dropping points - Mauricio Pochettino's comments about trophies not being important - Isco's brief cameo - Who start in the upcoming Clasico? - Can Gareth Bale recover his form? - How we became Madridistas - The upcoming schedule, balancing rotations - 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

This week’s episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast is brought to you by Managing Madrid Swag. On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Matt Wiltse discuss: - How real / sustainable is this Real Madrid resurgence? - Karim Benzema masterclass - Real Madrid's continued intensity - Explaining the rollercoaster of this match - Sergio Reguilon's performance - Progression under Solari --> giving him credit for what he's accomplished in these past few games - Raphael Varane's red card -- assessing the call, and the dominoes that ensued - Solari's 'Marcelo for Modric' sub - What happens when Benzema doesn't score, then? - Diversified attacking - Modric playing in an advance role - Real Madrid's defense to end the game - Marcelo benched - Going over the Isco situation again - Debate: Marcelo, Theo, Reguilon, Achraf - Kevin De Bruyne (theoretical fit) - 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

This episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast is brought to you by Managing Madrid Swag. On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Om Arvind discuss: - Real Madrid's high intensity to start both halves - Impressive off-ball movement  - The team's energy, and the crowd feeding into it - Reguilon, Ramos, and Ceballos taking out Sevilla's right flank - The team's defensive solidity - Shot volume -- how much does it solve the team's offensive problems? - Luka Modric's performance - A discussion on Solari and team morale - How low are our expectations? - Sustaining good form against different defensive schemes. Would we have looked as good if Sevilla had pressed? - Would we take Jose Mourinho back? - And more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the first podcast I (Sam) have ever hosted, and depending on how it goes it may well be the first of many. For this reason I needed to start big, and get a guest of the highest quality in to talk to. We needed to enter rival territory to get the right man for the job. And who better than perhaps the Barcelona version of myself? Navid Molaaghaei (@NavidJaaan) from the YoungCules Twitter account was kind enough to miss the first half of the Barcelona-Levante game to come and speak to us.  The topics included: We spoke about Nav, and the work he does and how he got into it all the way from Denmark!We talked about Castilla and Barcelona B and how they are both faring in Segunda B this season, as well as what they’ve been up to during the past few years. We took some questions from you guys! We tried to answer all of them, but I read them directly from Twitter due to being a complete amateur, and may have got some confused or forgot to read out names! We compared and contrasted the best Barca B and Castilla teams of all time. Of course note that this section completely opinionated , and was meant for a bit of light hearted fun (Translation: please don’t slay me for putting in Casemiro ahead of Del Bosque!!). Who would make your team? The scores from this game were as so:Castilla/Barca B Iker Casillas✔/Víctor Valdés❌ Dani Carvajal✔/Albert Ferrer❌ Manolo Sanchís❌/Carles Puyol✔ Nacho Fernández✔/Marc Bartra❌ José Antonio Camacho✔/Sergi Barjuán❌ Casemiro❌/Sergio Busquets✔ Guti❓/Pep Guardiola❓ Juan Mata❌/Xavi Hernández✔ Jesé Rodríguez❌/Lionel Messi✔ Míchel❌/Andrés Iniesta✔ Raúl González✔/Pedro Rodríguez❌ So, 5-5 with one point to go (Thanks to Nav refusing to let Raúl leave without a point), it is now down to you guys to decide who wins... Just who was better, Guti or Guardiola? This was seriously fun to make, and I am certainly open minded to the idea of making more. I learned a lot simply from talking to Nav about the goings on at Barcelona, and I hope you guys find it all as insightful as I did. If you wan’t this to become a regular thing with a range of different guests coming on to talk football, then please don’t hesitate to leave some feedback on how you found it! Make sure to follow Nav (@NavidJaan), and the YoungCules account as it is seriously insightful even for non-Barca fans like ourselves! Once again a big thank you to Nav, and also to you guys who made hosting any type of show possible. I can’t wait to hear some of your thoughts!  Did you enjoy this podcast? Please leave us a 5-star rating on iTunes. Also, 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 Om Arvind discuss: - Thoughts on the 3-5-2, especially in the context of this game - Solari's high press - Setien's adjustments going into this match - Real Madrid's inability to escape any pressing this season - How Isco and Marcelo would've helped - Will we see this formation again? - Why did Madrid regress in the second half? - The Benzema -> Cristo drop off - Ceballos's free-kick, the wall, and Pau Lopez's positioning - Casemiro's performance - Vinicius's performance - Fede's performance - VAR's ruling on Canales goal - Isco - What could Flo have done better last summer? - And more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Please leave us a 5-star rating on iTunes. Also, 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 Phil Ball (Author of Morbo, and columnist at LigaFever.com) discuss: - What is 'Morbo'? - Which rivalries have Morbo? - Most shocking Morbo examples - The Sevilla - Betis schism - Tamudazo - Sociedad, Bilbao, and Basque policies - And more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Please leave us a 5-star rating on iTunes. Also, 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, Gabe Lezra and Om Arvind are here to discuss: - How Solari's Madrid has actually gotten worse since he took over from Lopetegui - Solari's (lack of) offensive tactics and what that means for the team moving forward - Why bringing inn new players won't actually fix the problems with this squad - Everyone looks worse--which is actually a perversely good thing - Did Madrid actually "deserve" to win this match? - More Isco chicanery - And talk about what it means to "reinvent" the squad, and why that's not what we're calling for - And more. SPECIAL NOTE: This is Gabe. So sorry this is dropping late. I was supposed to upload it last night and I was honestly really under the weather and just passed out. SO here you go. I'll do an extra free episode this week as penance. Love you all and I hope you enjoy (as much as you can, given everything) the show. 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

This episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast is in two parts. Part One (Kiyan Sobhani, Allen Dodsen of Villarreal USA): - Villarreal's struggles this season - Possibilities of them getting relegated - Coaching issues, and lack of identity - Will Villarreal play more defensive against us? - Villarreal team news - Iborra's potential signing - Predictions (Kiyan goofed, and talked about the game being at the Bernabeu, when it's not -- didn't realize until after the recording) Part Two (Kiyan Sobhani, Matt Wiltse): - Should we overpay for a player? - Do we overrate players from the current era? Where do Marcelo and Ramos rank all time? - Why have Real Madrid not opened up an academy in India (among other places)? - Why haven't Real Madrid signed another young center back? - Bold predictions for 2019 - Why Valladolid should be a place where Real Madrid players go on loan - And more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please leave us a 5-star rating on iTunes. Also, 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: - CWC threepeat! - Standout players from the final - Should've been a more emphatic scoreline, given the decision-making in the final third - Al Ain's 'weapons' -- set-pieces and Caito - Llorente's progression offensively - His dedication off the field, praise from Solari, and extreme diet and fitness regime - Who starts as the team's DM in 2019? - The Isco situation - Upcoming schedule - And more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Please leave us a 5-star rating on iTunes. Also, 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, hosts Gabe Lezra, Om Arvind and Kiyan Sobhani discuss:  - Real Madrid's struggles against a completely neutered Rayo Vallecano - Diving into some of the advanced statistics - Is this the real Real Madrid, or is there something else going on? - What's going on with Isco? - Is Real Madrid's attacking problem systemic? Or is it luck? -Om gives us a deep dive into the Lopetegui vs. Solari debate, including advanced statistics - How does Solari actually want his team to play, and can that jive with Isco? 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) Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) Om Arvind (@OmVArvind) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani, Gabe Lezra, and Om Arvind discuss: SuperClasico thoughtsThe woeful offensive stats against HuescaSolari's schematic rigidityBright spots: Courtois, Bale, and Llorente (with extra Kiyan-monologue-sauce on the laste one)Quick notes from the Melilla matchSolari's lack of adjustmentsIsco's positioningReal Madrid's midfield options next summerIsco's instagram postAnd more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please give us a 5-star rating on iTunes. Also, please consider supporting us on Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadri Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and David Garrido discuss: Valencia's slow start to the game, and issues on the pitch (and also their issues this season)Dani Carvajal's return to form, and him and Vazquez teaming up to take Gaya / Guedes out of the gameReal Madrid's excellent pressReal Madrid looking in control, but in reality, the chances were evenRamos, Ceballos, and Modric's performancesThe Isco situationMarcos Llorente, thorough reviewAnd more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Please leave us a 5-star rating on iTunes. Also, 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 Om Arvind discuss: Ceballos as defensive midfielderReal Madrid's transition defense.. Were there any positives?Why aren't we seeing Marcos Llorente or Fede Valverde?10 offsidesBuild-up issues stemming from the backBale's no-showIncoherent, emotional ranting from all 3 membersLack of leadershipDopingBrahim Diaz rumoursPerpetual Liverpool saltIsco taking a backseat under SolariVarane falling asleep on Eibar's third goalOdrizola's touchAnd a ton more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Please give us a 5-star rating on iTunes. Also, 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 answers your questions. Topics discussed: Comparing Mbappe and Asensio's leadership qualitiesSolari benching certain playersDifferent potential formations, and looking at th 3-5-2 and 4-2-3-1Tite's comments about Rodrgyo Goes being more mature than Vinicius JrSpending money on transfers, and it's correlation with stadium costsIs Luis Figo underrated?And more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please leave us a 5-star rating on iTunes, and also please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosts Gabe Lezra, Om Arvind and Emilee Woods break down Real Madrid's impressive 2-4 victory over Celta Vigo in Balaídos--a ground they've traditionally struggled with. There's a fair amount to say about this match but, let's be real, this was a game where Celta decided to emulate Simeone's Atleti and literally injure as many people as possible.  Oh, and Barcelona lost. And Madrid won. Is this real life? Some topics discussed:  What is "black magic" in this new sense? And is this really a fair characterization of Solari's tenure so far? How Big is Benz? And is this the new normal for him? (I think you can guess where we were on this). Alright, let's talk about injuries. Nacho's injury is huge. He's a modern defensive back, playing multiple positions--the duct tape, if you will. Casemiro's only out for a bit, so that's good. And Regilión, who was huge in this match, will also be out--where does that leave us?Some high points from the match: Benzema. Benzema. Benzema. And Modric--is he back? And he's a hugely important cog in this machine, so an in-form Modric could be a massive upgrade. Solari's decision to play Odriozola and Reguilión instead of Nacho and others out of position.Madrid held Celta to around 1 xG in Balaídos--a great result. Is this Solari's doing? How much of today's result can be attributed to the grit the teams had on display? Madrid's targets in the Superclásico--Palacios and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Om Arvind discuss: A weird game that turned into a feel-good winWhy did Real Madrid look so underwhelming for the majority of the match?Needing more from Gareth BaleThe team's defensive shapeVinicius's impact off the benchCasemiro's performance as an attacking threatSolari's subsWhat are the odds of winning the league?A larger, more in-depth conversation about Gareth BaleThe lack of a leader in attackAnd more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please leave us a 5-star rating on iTunes. Also, 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: The facts: A quick rundown of everything that happened today and who takes what roleThe club's statement about LopeteguiAssessing Solari's first two seasons with CastillaWhy his third season has been better, objectivelyReinventing Sergio Diaz, Luismi Quezada, Cristo, and othersThe one constant under Solari's regime: Good defendingThe Vinicius effect Discussing some other names, namely GutiQuick thoughts on Raul and XabiAnd more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please leave us a 5-star rating on iTunes. Also, please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There's just no way to sugarcoat this one, folks. It's a complete disaster for Real Madrid, as they've lost 5-1 to Barcelona in the Camp Nou. Gabe and Om work to pick up the pieces of the Lopetegui era.  Some topics:  The first half disaster--is it tactical, motivational, or both?Lopetegui's situational cowardice. Critical abandonment of the press-and-posess formula for milquetoast crap.Can anyone be salvaged from this performance? What does the immediate future look for this Real Madrid side?What happened inn the second half, when Madrid looked to counter-punch?Madrid's inability to bury chances as the dominating narrative of the era. Where to place blame--and whether to look to place blame in one place.Nuance and Managing Madrid. We don't have some sort of agenda, come on, we're just as upset about this as you are.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Alex Kirkland (RMTV, TSFP) discuss: What happened against LevanteReal Madrid's goalscoring strugglesThe contrast between Real Madrid's first-half and second-half (a recurring trend, in some ways)The historically bad goalscoring statsSolari's turnaround with CastillaVinicius JrThe case for Lopetegui to stay, but the harsh reality surrounding the situationModric's form Asensio's formLopetegui's playing style, and the complaints about possession footballAnd much more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please leave us a 5-star rating on iTunes, and also consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gabe and Om try to figure out what to talk about because it's the international break and, honestly, there's just not that much going on. Thankfully, there were some good questions, so that helped for sure.  Here are some of the topics: The international break sucks.The international break sucks because players injure themselves and then their clubs get screwed over just because they played in one stupid friendly match against the Falkland Islands or whatever. Should we develop a basketball-like rule to stop people from parking the bus? No. A Portuguese tabloid is blaming Real Madrid for "forcing" Ronaldo to settle his sexual assault case. Madrid....did not take that allegation in stride and have already sued the paper for libel. Is Kroos playing too deep? What's going on there? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Om Arvind discuss: Lopetegui's tactical issues"over-fluidity"Lack of vertical optionsPositioning of the midfield trioLack of bail-out players on the fieldBenzema's lack of productionThe poor quality of shotsThanking God for the international breakLuka Modric's formReal Madrid's wingback situation, and the offensive drop-off without MarceloCoaching replacements (because someone asked us about it)Striker options, and thoughts on: Hazard, James, AubamayengAnd more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please give us a 5-star rating on iTunes, and also 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 is brought to you by Hotel Europa. On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Robbie Dunne discuss: - Atletico's defensive scheme, and how well they snuffed space - Why this game proved difficult to score in - What Gimenez brought to the table for Atletico - What was missing without Marcelo and Isco - The contrast between the first and second halves, and what Ceballos changed - Individual talking points: Kroos, Asensio, Benzema, Ramos, Nacho - Lopetegui's subs - The upcoming schedule - And more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please leave us a 5-star rating on iTunes. Also, 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 Om Arvind discuss:   The (relatively) low xG for both sides for this particular gameA Matheu Lahoz rantEspanyol's high-pressIsco and Asensio's interchangeabilityWhat Gareth Bale would've solvedPass maps and what they indicateReal Madrid's great press, exemplified by Ceballos and CasemiroSergio Ramos's 'freedom'The case for more Mariano for this particular matchMarcos Llorente swooning us'New Bernabeu' plansAnd more Did you enjoy this podcast? Please leave us a 5-star rating on iTunes, and also please consider supporting us through Patreon: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MMPod hosts Gabe Lezra and worst account on football twitter-nominee Om Arvind were on the Let’s Fix Football Podcast on Ballon d’Order this week to talk about The Financial Times’ article about Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo gamble (from a financial angle).  Juventus is banking on a massive increase not just in their own publicity but in Serie A’s publicity and ability to market itself internationally--but how smart is that gamble? Is the “Cristiano Ronaldo effect” as pronounced as they think—and even if it is, can Juve take full advantage? Also, FIFA dropped some new potential rules. They’re weird. They’re also really important. Finally, on this clip they also talk about the ongoing soccer analytics revolution and the fact that some of the friving forces behind the movement are American.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices