The Open Thread/Daily Merengue is a place where you can discuss anything and everything related to football. Feel free to discuss the topics presented here, or start your very own discussions! The Open thread will be posted every day by one of the mods you’d totally do a UCL watch with: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, Kung_Fu_Zizou (AKA KFZ), Juninho, Ezek and, of course… yours truly.
International Break
Yes… again. So, the schedule’s full of international breaks prior to the 2026 World Cup. A few breaks too many, in fact.
Not sure if this is a good idea, as it — it would seem to me — makes it harder for teams to gel and gain rhythm for the season.
Anyway, we get the chance to watch our NTs play for another week or so. Any fixtures in particular you’re looking forward to?
A Few Days to Figure Things Out
Xabi could use the time off, right now. He needs to think about a couple of things, like how to fit the main men into his (yes, rotating) XI to get the best out of this team. Hopefully, in ten days (or so), we’ll be able to see the pressing and vertical passing game the team tried to get going earlier in the season.
