This is Real Madrid

This is Real Madrid

This is Real Madrid
By: Ardit Lipa | January 10, 2024 11:59 pm
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No Madrid fan could ask for a better start to 2024 than this.

3 games, 3 competitions, 3 wins – one final to play. Perhaps, this last win was the best of all, a classic Real Madrid ‘not giving up’ game and yet another remontada to keep on proving that 90 minutes against Real Madrid are very long, but 120 minutes are even longer.

In a crazy night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – crazy in all the meaning of the word, Real Madrid overcame Atletico Madrid 5-3 after Extra-Time, to reach the first final of the season. On Sunday, Real Madrid waits the winner of Barcelona – Osasuna in the first final of the season.

In an action packed night, almost everything happened – even things that were not completely related to the game, as Toni Kroos’ being booed by the home fans, but we will come to that.

After a positive start from Real Madrid inside the first 5 minutes, it was Atletico Madrid who scored with their first chance of the match through a header from Real Madrid’s ex, Mario Hermoso. Knowing Atletico Madrid, being behind would seem as an almost impossible task to overcome – but not tonight for Real Madrid, as they completed a ‘remontada’ twice in the night.

It was the defenders night in this game as Antonio Rüdiger equalized in the 20th minute after a great cross from Luka Modrić – and 9 minutes later Dani Carvajal assisted the unusual scorer, Ferland Mendy – who finished like a striker to put Real Madrid ahead, 2-1.

It took a wonder goal from Griezmann to make it 2-2, which would also be the HT result.

The second half was much more calmer and had less intensity from both sides, and it would only take a massive blunder from Kepa Arrizabalaga in the 78th minute to see a goal again, as Real Madrid went behind again in what at the moment seemed as an impossible task to overcome.

Kepa’s performance tonight caused a lot of controversy between Real Madrid fans, but we will come to that as well.

To continue the defenders show and show Real Madrid’s undying spirit, Dani Carvajal took care with a very well placed finish in the 85th minutes after Viní Jr’s shot was saved and Jude Bellingham’s shot was cleared off the line. This goal, sent the game to Extra-Time.

The ET, was totally Real Madrid – as Ancelotti’s squad dominated the whole 30 minutes, with the substitutions making the difference as the second fraction was decisive for Real Madrid to win the game.

It was another Carvajal cross that came clutch in a big ‘remontada’, as Joselu headed it in for his 10th goal of the season in all competitions. Just when the game looked over, Oblak who was trying heroics for Atleti was caught in the counter by a super fast Brahim Diaz, that scored the fifth goal of the match.

5-3, and Real Madrid heads to the Spanish Supercopa final – after a night that practically had… everything.

One things that caught everyone’s eye, was definitely the big boos directed to Toni Kroos by the fans in Saudi Arabia. According to the internet, it looked like everything came after Toni Kroos’ comments on the Saudi League earlier in the season as a Spanish talent, Gabi Veiga moved to the league.

But, the reason didn’t seem very well known for Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti and Toni Kroos, with the Italian coach who after the match said that “we didn’t know why Toni Kroos was getting whistled, he didn’t know either.”

Anyway, Kroos reacted with a tweet after the match – and it looks like Real Madrid’s number 8 will be welcomed to a hostile environment in the final too.

The other big discussion of this night, is Ancelotti’s decision to start Kepa. The Spanish goalkeeper didn’t have the best night, and everything went from bad to worse after that third goal that was later awarded as his own goal.

What seemed as a big decision to make for Ancelotti to make, it now seems easier – with Andriy Lunin who has shown more stability between the sticks this season, and it looks like the Ukrainian goalkeeper will have the upper hand in the final.

With the stats, but even with the performances shown this season – it looks like Lunin is bound to be Real Madrid’s number 1 choice from now on, with Kepa’s chance to extend his loan and make it a permanent transfer, becoming thinner everytime.

Outside of that, it was time for some guys to experience their first big Real Madrid remontada, in Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler that will play their first final of their Real Madrid’s career after being part of the team’s unbreakable spirit.

Like Brahim’s goal, this night ended in perfect fashion. Real Madrid go 20 matches unbeaten and aim for the first trophy of the season on Sunday. With high hopes and a great form, the team continues on what promises to be a historic season.

Ancelotti decides the starting GK for Champions League final

Ancelotti decides the starting GK for Champions League final
By: Ardit Lipa | May 16, 2024 4:14 pm
516

Courtois’ return early has risen a big dilemma for Carlo Ancelotti on deciding who will be the starting XI in the UEFA Champions League final between the Belgian GK & Andriy Lunin, who has gone through a marvelous season in 2023/24.

Thibaut Courtois suffered an injury during preseason, a hard ACL injury that forced him to be out of the field until March. Then, when he retuned to full team training – Courtois suffered another injury that forced him to be until early May.

Courtois returned to action vs Cadiz at the Santiago Bernabéu, and since has played also vs Granada & Alaves, not conceding a single goal and making 10 saves in the last outing vs Alaves.

In the other hand, Lunin has had an amazing season so far – having a record of 9 saves vs Leipzig and being Real Madrid’s hero vs Manchester City in the penalty shoutout.

Seeing the course of the season, it would be logical for Lunin to start the final, but it seems Ancelotti has decided otherwise.

According to MARCA, Ancelotti’s decision is to start Thibaut Courtois in the final because he has returned in great form.

Lunin will get one more game this season, in the weekend vs Villarreal – and then Courtois is expected to start the last league game vs Betis and then the final on June 1st – vs Dortmund at Wembley.

Jude Bellingham – a new position for him in 2024/25

Jude Bellingham – a new position for him in 2024/25
By: Ardit Lipa | 10:57 am
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Jude Bellingham has been one of the best player in the world this season.

The 20-year old English midfielder has fit in perfectly at Real Madrid – producing a hall of famer first season, both in statistics and performances.

The first season though, has found Jude Bellingham playing a position not so familiar to him – but a position he got used to perfectly. Playing more advanced, Jude helped a lot with his goals, assists, creativity and much more.

Ahead of coming to Real Madrid, Jude used to play a more behind in the position of a CM – and it looks like he will soon return to his natural position.

According to MARCA, Kylian Mbappé’s arrival at Real Madrid will make Carlo Ancelotti switch back to the old 4-3-3, with the French player and the two Brazilians in Viní Jr. & Rodrygo forming the attack. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham is expected to return back as a CM, forming a midfield trio with Valverde & Tchouaméni.

A change in position will probably mean lesser number in goals next season, but seeing how Jude fits perfectly everywhere he plays – there’s not a single doubt he will be as good as ever, if not better in his new position next season.

There is a date for Kylian Mbappé’s presentation at Real Madrid

There is a date for Kylian Mbappé’s presentation at Real Madrid
By: Ardit Lipa | 10:19 am
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After 7 years of a long-lasting saga, Kylian Mbappé will finally join Real Madrid this summer.

The French player announced a week ago through an official video that he will leave Paris Saint-Germain in the end of this season.

Now, him being officially announced as a Real Madrid player is only a matter of time, and it’s expected to happen as soon as the UEFA Champions League ends, around June 2nd.

It has also been kind of revealed in Mbappé’s documentary in BBC – that his next move will be Real Madrid.

Fabrizio Romano has said a few times that Mbappé’s arrival at Real Madrid will not be like any other & that the club will prepare something special for him. The announcement & the presentation will all be special.

And when we’re talking about the presentation, it looks like it will happen sooner than expected. According to MARCA, Real Madrid are planning to present Kylian Mbappé as an official player of the club ahead of EURO 2024.

Anyway, this will first require a request to Paris Saint-Germain – since officially, Mbappé is a player of the French Champions until June 30th.

Believing this will not be a problem after they officially announce the player, Real Madrid plan to present Kylian Mbappé between June 3rd & June 9th.

In case Real Madrid wins UEFA Champions League, the first week of June will be a busy week with celebrations at Real Madrid.

How Carlo Ancelotti waited for the perfect time to play Arda Güler

How Carlo Ancelotti waited for the perfect time to play Arda Güler
By: Ardit Lipa | May 15, 2024 7:22 pm
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Not every story is the same when it comes to Real Madrid players – through the history of the club, but mostly in the recent history, a lot of players have joined the club, while not everyone has been successful.

Some have started their Real Madrid life in the best possible way, like Jude Bellingham. Others have had to sacrifice and wait for their chance while spending some seasons on the bench & as role players, like Vinicius Jr. or Fede Valverde or Rodrygo or many other examples, while some others failed to show their qualities at Real Madrid – like Eden Hazard or Luka Jovic, who joined the club with high expectations but never reached the potential or success they were expected to.

Many names have failed to live with the pressure at Real Madrid, but there were also players who could not stand to wait for their time – and decided to look for their chance elsewhere.

One player who didn’t start his Real Madrid life in a good way, was the talented Turkish teenager, Arda Güler – who joined this summer from Fenerbahçe, but had to be sidelined for the whole of 2023 with reoccurring injuries, three different ones that prevented him from showing his much talked qualities in the pitch.

Arda returned in January, but since then he has played a total of only 285 minutes for Real Madrid – leaving everyone questioning why Carlo Ancelotti is not giving more chance to him through some games.

But, as we talk on Arda Güler, we will write how we believe that Carlo managed the Turkish talent perfectly, waiting for the ideal time to start and include him in the right rhythm.

Being sidelined for a total of 6 months, it was clear that Arda Güler did not have the right physical condition – and above all didn’t have the right experience to play the very demanding matches from January to April, matches those that decided this season. When you look back at those matches, you can fully understand why the Italian coach choose to include Brahim or Joselu in the match ahead of Arda, who alongside the physical condition – would have the pressure of the world on his shoulders if he had to be on the pitch in season deciding matches.

Playing in high pressure matches, especially at this age after coming back from a 6 month injury, in most chances would lead to poor performances that could directly impact the player’s morale. Being a coach for over three decades, Carlo Ancelotti knew how to treat Arda Güler – and waited for the perfect moment to give him his share of minutes.

Arda Güler found his first goal at Real Madrid on March 2nd vs Celta Vigo at the Bernabeu, but it was late April when he started getting his chances – and he has delivered in the best possible way.

He scored Real Madrid’s winning goal vs Real Sociedad in a tough ground like Anoeta, while having a really good match three days later vs Cadiz at the Bernabeu. In the last two games, Arda played the first full 90 minutes vs Granda away scoring a goal, while in the 30 minutes vs Alaves last night, he scored another – finding his 4th goal in just 285 minutes, proving to everyone his qualities.

Carlo Ancelotti waited for the low pressure matches to give minutes to a guy who already had much pressure in his shoulders by the things that were being written in the media, and the rumours for a loan out – which would be shut down first by the Italian coach who confirmed that Arda is definitely staying at Real Madrid and they count on his abilities. With two matches left in La Liga, Arda is expected to get even more chances, to get used with the team and be prepared for EURO 2024 – and then what promises to be a big second year for him at Real Madrid.

With Luka Modric expected to leave this summer, Arda’s chances next summer are also expected to be much higher than this season. With every match, he is showing how much he is improving – and his versatility will be a very useful tool for Real Madrid in the near future and even further.

Carlo Ancelotti’s man management is amazing, and he is showing another example with the management of Arda Güler this season – who from starting the season in the worst possible way, is closing it in the best possible way. The best thing happening to the Turkish Boy, is the fact that Carlo will be his coach next season too.

Hoping for a big EURO 2024 & injuries worries leaving him alone, everyone is excited to see Arda’s bright future at Real Madrid. This boy is special.

All Real Madrid players’ contract length…

All Real Madrid players’ contract length…
By: Ardit Lipa | 12:20 pm
1067

As the season is coming to an end, we start hearing more and more rumors about the future of Real Madrid players, especially those whose contracts are expiring this summer.

So far, there is a big uncertainty around the future of the great midfield duo – Kroos & Modric, and alongside them, there are many players whose future at Real Madrid is not guaranteed.

When there are only two league games + the UEFA Champions League final left, Real Madrid have to start preparing for summer 2024, as it promises to be a very busy one, both in transfers in & out.

There are many questions when it comes to the contract length of Real Madrid players, so below we will bring the list of when all the players end their contract with the club – without taking into consideration all the rumours about extending or leaving.

2024 – Nacho, Lucas, Kroos, Modric, Joselu (loan end), Kepa (loan end)

2025 – Lunin, Mendy, Carvajal

2026 – Courtois, Alaba, Rudiger

2027 – Fran Garcia, Ceballos, Brahim, Nico Paz, Vini Jr

2028 – Militão, Tchouameni, Rodrygo

2029 – Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham, Güler

Everything remains to be solved during summer 2024, as Real Madrid prepares for a big summer after a big season. Players like Endrick, Kylian Mbappe, Leny Yoro & Alphonso Davies are expected to be added to Real Madrid’s contract list – but who will be removed from the list, it’s still a big dilemma – even though the rumors give a glimpse of how the squad will look in 2024/25.

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