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, Ezek XI, KungFuZizou, NeRObutBlanco, Felipejack, and Juninho.
Word From Author:
Coral: During out last session, you mentioned something about being alone? “Completely alone with it all.” Want to explain what you mean by that?
Juninho: ….
Coral: Talk to me. Being silent isn’t going to help.
Juninho: Let me tell ya something. Nowadays, everybody’s gotta go to shrinks, and counselors, and go on a podcast and talk about their problems. What happened to the Daniel Craig’s in Bond? The strong, silent type. That was a man. He wasn’t in touch with his feelings. He just did what he had to do.
Coral: In my professional opinion, that often leads to unnecessary rage.
Juninho: …
Coral: and rage, Juni, is a big loud flaming distraction, from feelings that are even more frightening.
[Title]
“We worry so much sometimes it feels like that’s all we do. But in the end it gets washed away. All of it, just washed away.” Carmela Soprano
Observation #1 — The Low Block. I wanted to start briefly positive during these observations before diving into the “meat” of the DT. Firstly, amazing work by Vini leading up to Jude’s goal. It’s funny because I’m likely going to point to this goal / situation throughout the DT but this is exactly a moment that highlights the strengths of our squad. For better or worse, we excel in transition. We excel with quick passes to our wings who have the speed and technical ability to dominant when isolated against a fullback and then as we’d all expect — sheer individual brilliance.
Now to get to the negatives from this moment as well as the rest of the game. Real Madrid CF does not know how to play against a low block, and this isn’t just a 25/26 season issue. We haven’t been able to decipher the puzzle of a low block for ages. I’m not even sure if we were good against low blocks during the Zidane 2.0 era….Regardless, and I’m trying to be patient because Xabi is clearly still working out the kinks in his system (e.g., the differing lineups / responsibilities every game) but I’m hoping this is something that can be prioritized asap. I can’t remember the MMer who mentioned this in the Live Match Thread but the low block is an obvious predicament. Of course, no sane team is going to try to turn their gameplan into a basketball match when they’re staring at in-form Vini & the best player in the world Kylian Mbappe. Only Barcelona (and maybe PSG) has the audacity to play in this manner against us. So we will see low blocks throughout the season whether it is the CL or La Liga or the Copa el Rey. It’s something, we’ll just have to figure out.
IMO — the key to beating a low block isn’t a “Joselu-type ST” and certainly not a 34-yr old Ante Budimir. It’s our midfield. It’s the speed in our passing and our movement. It’s less dribbling and more synchronized movement. IMO that’s the issue we constantly see with this Real Madrid team. First, the midfield moves the ball far too slow. We have enough technical players to create isolated moments for our wingers but the ball moves so dreadfully slow that by the time we switch form the right flank to the left, Vini is marked by 2-3 defenders. On top of this issue, there is just rare off-ball movement or at least selfless off-ball movement. Our midfielders (particularly Jude) move into scoring positions (for themselves), Mbappe makes runs to put himself in a scoring position, Vini moves to receive the ball so he can dribble, etc. etc. etc. Our attack in general (and maybe this is something I commend about GG / Mats / Brahim / sometimes Rodry) needs to more often make runs not to score or receive a pass but to simply open up space.
This is how you beat a low block. Or at least this is how teams like Barcelona / City consistently beat low blocks that they face. I’m not going to beat a deadhorse by saying — triangles…triangles…triangles. And if not triangles…triangles…triangles…we will actually need a DLP who can play a cross flank pass and quickly. We’ll need Vini/ Mbappe to selflessly run towards the near post to give Mbappe/Vini space to either create their own shot or create an opportunity for someone else. It’s really as simple as that.
Observation # 2 — The Midfield. I’ll admit that I sadly went off the rails in my first observation and already commented about the midfield which was supposed to be the “meat” of the DT so I’m just going to not-so briefly make another point that we should consider. Jude and Arda Guler have too much freedom.
Let’s quickly go back to Jude’s goal. I’m happy that Jude scored. I actually think Jude played decently in the 2nd half. I also love Jude as a player. But Jude was practically a 9 on that play. Now some of you are going to come in and say “Jude crashed the box!!! We need him to score.” And I’m here to tell you no…rewatch the play. Jude DID crash the box but Jude also STAYED in the box. During the sequence, Jude’s back was turned to the goal. He might as well have been Gonzalo Garcia.
Now this brilliant play worked in this instance…but in most instances…it doesn’t. (Let me quickly say process process process for the results folks in the front). In most instances at Real Madrid CF, Vini dribbles into those 3 defenders and quickly loses possession. Juventus launch a counterattack and we are stuck with Tchouameni (who isn’t particularly quick) trying to press and cover kms of space. Militao fighting for his life against Vlahovic or Raul Asencio diving into a challenge and doing something deserving of a red card. That’s what typically happens in those moments of chaos because while Jude is psuedo-playing 9, Mbappe is at the top of the box hoping to receive a pass for a shot and Guler is doing something wildly else while lacking the athleticism to track back.
I’m not yet team Jude x Arda can’t play in a midfield together against a big team, but I’m not far off. At the very least, I’m certainly team Jude x Arda can’t play in a midfield where they both have freedom to move and where Jude is allowed to so frequently crash the box (which mind you in this situation didn’t even really work…like how many speculative passes from Militao / Fede / Tchouameni landed in the Juve GK’s hands as Jude tirelessly ran into the box like this was 24/25 Carlo Haram tactics). If Juventus was actually a competent team, they should’ve had several goals. Barcelona would crush us in those moments of transition. PSG would flog us. City / Liverpool / Arsenal would likely have a clinic too.
So what do we do? Because Arda absolutely can’t be benched and it feels like a crime to bench Jude or stifle his ability. I’ll be honest…I’m not sure. But assuming Xabi will continue to refuse to play with 4 midfielders, I’d at least limit Jude’s movement in the final third and if that doesn’t work — then we’re going to have to have a massive question come this summer.
Observation # 3 — The Defenders. I just want to give a shoutout to players who may be overlooked in this win when their contributions were absolutely crucial. First shoutout goes to Thibaut Courtois — who is still the best GK alive and arguably may be (on a pure talent level) the best GK in Real Madrid history. Second, Eder Militao for his crucial interceptions. Example, Tibo will get love for his save on Vlahovic’s shot but Eder kept up with a lung-bursting run and swiftly cut Vlahovic’s angle. Third and finally, Raul Asencio who I thought had an overall tidy game. Asencio has primarily had lows during the Xabi era so it’s good to see him on the rebound. Honorable Mention – Brahim Diaz had a tidy first half besides one massive loss of possession.
…White Knight In Satin Armor
Juninho: You again?
Freddy: Would you have preferred FzReal? (laughs)
Juninho: (laughs)
Freddy: Jun — let me give you a little advice. In our business, I see MMers and narratives come and go. So I know. Time, is the great enemy. You got a very short window. It’s not good to get too hung-up on any one thing. On the other hand, something new always comes along. I’ve seen it a million times. It’s called Passages, y’know the book.
Juninho: It’s my fault. All my decisions were wrong. (mutters)
Coral: Did you say something — ?
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“those who want respect. give respect.“
