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Managing Madrid

https://www.managingmadrid.com/ | 862 entries published

Dominating European football since March 6th 1902

Latest Entries

Segurola:“For the First Time, I Think the Fans are Going to Look Toward the Directors’ Box”

Santiago Segurola delivered a blunt critique of Real Madrid’s squad construction, placing responsibility firmly above the coaching staff on RadioEstadio Noche spanish radio program: “The construction of Real Madrid’s squad makes no sense; the midfield is in ruins,” Segurola said. He argued that frustration is no longer limited to the bench or the pitch. “For […]

29 days ago | 1 read

Pereiro: “Madrid Lost Two Titles in 72 Hours with a Dreadful Level of Football”

Speaking on RadioEstadio Noche (Onda Cero) spanish radio program, Real Madrid commentator and journalist Alberto Pereiro delivered a scathing assessment of the club’s current state following a disastrous 72-hour stretch. “Madrid are adrift; they’ve lost two titles in 72 hours with a dreadful level of football,” Pereiro said, summarizing what he sees as a team […]

29 days ago | 1 read

Managing Madrid Podcast | Madrid Mornings: Who’s to blame now? (@Albacete, 2-3)

In this episode of Madrid Mornings, Lucas shares his thoughts on Real Madrid’s loss to Albacete in the R16 of the Copa del Rey. CLICK HERE FOR ACCESS Join our Real Madrid Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/rTD2PmE26f Managing Madrid is a hub for all Madridistas with updated news, op-eds, tactical analyses, artwork, and of course, podcasts. It […]

29 days ago | 0 reads

Three questions and three answers from Albacete 3-2 Real Madrid

A new era at Real Madrid got off to a false start as Álvaro Arbeloa’s severely weakened squad crashed to a 3-2 defeat to Segunda side Albacete in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night. Albacete took the lead with an Iván Villar header, shortly before Franco Mastantuono equalised on the stroke of half-time. Olympiacos […]

30 days ago | 3 reads

Player Ratings: Player Ratings: Albacete 3–2 Real Madrid

Player Ratings: Albacete 3–2 Real Madrid Andriy Lunin — 3Conceded three goals and should have done better on two of them. A rough night overall. David Jiménez — 4Showed promise going forward but struggled badly defensively. Raúl Asencio — 5A quiet performance. Was not heavily involved and can’t be blamed for the goals conceded. Dean […]

30 days ago | 5 reads

OPEN THREAD | JAN 15, 2026

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. NEGATIVE FOOTBALL Our players have been […]

30 days ago | 0 reads

Álvaro Arbeloa: “Failure forms part of the path to success”

Real Madrid’s new coach Álvaro Arbeloa spoke after his first game in charge ended in defeat to Albacete and Copa del Rey elimination after a dramatic 3-2 loss. Reflecting, he said, “I’m not afraid of failure. I understand those who want to describe this defeat as such. Failure forms part of the path to success. […]

30 days ago | 0 reads

Immediate Reaction: Albacete 3-2 Real Madrid

Real Madrid were dealt another shocking blow this evening in the Copa del Rey, exiting after a dramatic late 3-2 defeat to Albacete, conceding a last-minute winner that sent shivers through the spones of every Madridista. Despite controlling large spells and twice finding the net, Real Madrid were punished for late defensive lapses as Albacete […]

30 days ago | 0 reads

CONFIRMED lineups: Albacete vs Real Madrid, 2026 Copa del Rey

Real Madrid have published their starting lineup for the upcoming match against Albacete in the Copa del Rey. Real Madrid starting XI: Lunin; David Jiménez, Asencio, Huijsen, Fran García; Cestero, Güler, Valverde; Mastantuono, Vinicius and Gonzalo. Albacete starting XI (TBC): Lizoain; Aguado, Moreno, Vallejo, Neva, JoGo; Escriche, Villar, Capi, Valverde; Jefté. As expected, Real Madrid […]

30 days ago | 0 reads

Álvaro Arbeloa: Profile, tactics, staff and what to expect

In his opening press conference, Real Madrid’s new coach was clear: “I will be Álvaro Arbeloa, I won’t be scared of failure, but if I wanted to be Jose Mourinho then I would fail spectacularly”. But who is Álvaro Arbeloa? Most Madridistas remember his as a strong squad player, a back-up who offered versatility and […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

DISCUSSION: Will Arbeloa Use Gonzalo More?

There’s no questions that Xabi Alonso was very high on Gonzalo Garcia. Alonso started the young Spanish forward in every Club World Cup match in the summer, and during Kylian Mbappe’s recent injury, Alonso started Gonzalo in all three matches, getting four goals out of him in the process. But Alonso also (in 95% of […]

MLS

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Real Madrid announce squad for Copa del Rey match against Albacete

Real Madrid have published their squad list for Wednesday’s match against Albacete in the Copa del Rey’s Round of 16. REAL MADRID SQUAD LIST:Goalkeepers: Lunin, Fran González and Sergio Mestre.Defenders: Carvajal, Alaba, Asencio, Fran García, Huijsen, David Jiménez and Joan Martínez.Midfielders: Camavinga, Valverde, Arda Güler, Ceballos, Cestero, Manuel Ángel and Palacios.Attackers: Vini Jr., Gonzalo and Mastantuono. Just as expected, […]

about 1 month ago | 1 read

Albacete vs Real Madrid, 2026 Copa del Rey: Predicted lineups

Real Madrid visit Albacete in the Copa del Rey’s Round of 16. This will be Álvaro Arbeloa’s debut as Real Madrid’s coach after the club decided to part ways with Xabi Alonso, so it will be interesting to see whether or not he rotates his team. Real Madrid predicted XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Asencio, Huijsen, Fran […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

OPEN THREAD | JAN 14, 2026

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. ARBELOA Could this be the dawn […]

about 1 month ago | 1 read

Two Truths Can Exist in Xabi Alonso’s Exit

There are two sides to Xabi Alonso’s dismissal, and both can be true at the same time. Florentino Perez has been rightly criticized by sections of fans and media. The way Alonso was treated publicly was awful and embarassing. He was never openly backed, repeatedly undermined through leaks, and players were allowed to air grievances […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Managing Madrid Podcast: Saying Goodbye To Alonso And Previewing Arbeloa’s Tactics

AUDIO: VIDEO: On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Sam Sharpe discuss: Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid. 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 […]

about 1 month ago | 1 read

Álvaro Arbeloa: “Real Madrid is about winning, winning and winning again”

Real Madrid presented Álvaro Arbeloa as the new coach of the first team, and was asked how he would define the team he will build, following Xabi Alonso’s plan to build a “rock and roll” side, and Arbeloa said, “this club is about winning, winning and winning again. It’s about being demanding to win trophies […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Xabi Alonso publishes farewell letter to Real Madrid

Former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has published a brief letter on his social media to bid farewell to the club and its fans. “This professional stage comes to an end, and it has not turned out as we would have liked. Coaching Real Madrid has been an honor and a responsibility. I thank the […]

about 1 month ago | 1 read

ONE DAY IN THE SUN | OPEN THREAD | JAN 13, 2026

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. A DAY IN THE SUN Everybody […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

The Details Of Xabi Alonso’s Departure From Real Madrid: Not All Is What It Seems

These observations — where I look at Real Madrid’s history, its players on loan, Castilla, tactical tidbits, and other relevant thoughts — are now a regular thing. All previous editions can be found here. IN JULY OF 2000, a freshly-elected Florentino Perez ushered in his improbable rise to Real Madrid presidency by signing the world’s best player, […]

about 1 month ago | 1 read

The Inevitable End of Xabi Alonso’s Madrid Tenure

Historical precedent always suggested that Xabi Alonso would struggle to survive long term at Real Madrid. No coach in the club’s modern history has emerged unscathed from the level of scrutiny and pressure he faced almost immediately. From the outside, his departure may look rash. In reality, Alonso underwhelmed. The team did not improve, nor […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Valdano: “I Never Felt Xabi Alonso Had the Club’s Support”

Speaking on El Tercer Tiempo on Movistar+, Jorge Valdano analyzed Xabi Alonso’s departure from Real Madrid and described a tenure marked by instability and a lack of institutional backing. “I saw Xabi Alonso as unstable from the first day. I never felt he had the support of the club,” Valdano said. He pointed to a […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads

Churros y Tácticas Podcast: Xabi Alonso Is Gone: REACTION

AUDIO: VIDEO: On this episode of the Churros y Tácticas Podast, Kiyan Sobhani and Diego Lorijn discuss, in real time, Xabi Alonso’s departure from Real Madrid: Enjoy the raw Churros, Campeones! Co-host and chief editor of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani, along with Diego Lorijn — Barca TV, VIVA La Liga TV host, delve […]

about 1 month ago | 0 reads