On the latest episode of the Real Deal (the analysis segment of the Managing Madrid podcast) Siddharth Ramsundar and Mazin Mukhtar discuss the state of Real Madrid tactically and run into an inarguable conclusion: no matter how badly the team performs, the lack of serious opposition domestically and in Europe give this team a much larger margin for error than we have become accustomed to over the past 15 years.

During the Ronaldo era, 90-95 point title races were routine, and the standards were very high. Furthermore, there were usually multiple juggernauts in Europe outside Real Madrid. Last season, Real Madrid with 95 points were the first team in La Liga to cross the 90 point threshold since Ronaldo left the league. Barcelona have been much weaker in the years since Ronaldo left, and have struggled to put together long periods of consistency since Messi left as well. Bayern Munich have been more inconsistent in all competitions since their treble victory in 2020.

This season, Real Madrid have played some of their worst football in recent memory, and have not been punished for it in La Liga. In the Champions League, no serious juggernaut could materialize the knockouts that would be serious favorites in a tie against Vinicius, Bellingham, Mbappe et al.

This is the consequence of having the best players in the world, but also a consequence of opposition teams perhaps overfixating on tactics or not having the pull to stockpile the same quality of players as Real Madrid. Still, in the 2010s you got Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo at Madrid and Messi, Neymar and Suarez at Barcelona. Right now, the gap between Real Madrid’s best attacking line and the rest feels significantly large. Barcelona’s attackers are great on paper, but partly because they are platformed by a system that leaks a ridiculous number of chances.

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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:

Siddharth Ramsundar (@TacticalFouling)

Mazin Mukhtar (@MazinMuk)

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On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Leah Revelle rank the top-five moments of Real Madrid's incredible 2024 year. There was a lot of emotion to revisit. Some brought tears.

A lot of honourable mentions too!

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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 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:

Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo)

Leah Revelle (@leahrevelle)

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On the latest episode of the Managing Madrid podcast, Siddharth Ramsundar is joined by returning guest Ardit Karagjyzi (known on twitter as Loconté) to go over a detailed roundtable of Europe’s best coaches.

A lot has changed this season: Mikel Arteta has been struggling offensively for Arsenal, Pep Guardiola has not been having the best time at Manchester City, and the relatively unknown Enzo Maresca has been doing a solid job at Chelsea. The coaching conversation needed a significant update.

Ardit and Sid break down updates on some of the coaches discussed on the prior episode with Ardit like Michel and Xabi Alonso, then add guys like Gasperini, Maresca, Arteta and Enrique to the discussion. A sheet with their views on all 10 coaches discussed is attached for summary.

TIMESTAMPS (rough):

4:00 An update on Xabi Alonso’s integration of Aleix Garcia

9:00 Michel and Girona

12:00: Carlo Ancelotti steadying the ship

31:00: Mikel Arteta + introducing our coach evaluation sheet

41:00: Enzo Maresca

44:00: Hansi Flick

50:45: Vincent Kompany

53:50: Gian Piero Gasperini

56:00: Luis Enrique

61:30: Zinedine Zidane discussion and closing thoughts

Sid’s evaluations:

Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid.

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 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:

Siddharth Ramsundar (@TacticalFouling)

Ardit Karagjyzi (@Loconté)

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On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Matt Wiltse discuss:

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Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid.

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:

Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo)

Matt Wiltse (@Matt_MM)

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On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Leah Revelle break down Real Madrid’s 3 - 0 win over Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup Final.

Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid.

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 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:

Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo)

Leah Revelle (@leahrevelle)

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On this episode of the Managing Madrid podcast, Siddharth Ramsundar is joined by Ali Fakharany of StatsBomb to take stock of Europe’s best teams.

Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid.

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 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:

Siddharth Ramsundar (@tacticalfouling)

Ali Elfakharany (@alifakharany)

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On this episode of Las Blancas Podcast, hosts Yash Thakur and Kanita Tafro are joined by special guest Isa to discuss Real Madrid’s late remontada against Deportivo ABANCA.

Talking points:

Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon for more bonus content: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid

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 its podcasts, going.

Hosts this week:

Yash Thakur (@Odriozolite)

Kanita Tafro (@KaniFroh)

Las Blancas (@Las_Blancas)

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On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani discusses:

Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid.

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 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:

Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo)

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On this episode Siddharth Ramsundar is joined by Joel Adejola to explore how and why Kylian Mbappé has had early adaptation challenges at Real Madrid. We analyze the technical, tactical, and psychological elements that have contributed to his funk - from the complexities of integrating into Ancelotti’s system, physical issues, the absence of a 9 and the challenge of playing without Kroos’ buildup expertise. Beyond just diagnosing the issues, we examine the specific tweaks and adjustments that have slowly helped unlock Mbappé’s natural game while maintaining Madrid’s existing strengths.

The discussion ranges from granular tactical analysis of his positioning and movement to broader questions about how superstars adapt to new environments. The episode also gets into the concept of a ‘funk’ from both a generic perspective across sports and takes a more specific look at the mathematics and trends behind finishing funks in front of goal, revisiting past examples like Benzema in 2018. We briefly discuss how we get over funks as individuals and how players in other sports like tennis have a slightly easier task than footballers. We also discuss the psychology of Mbappe having to play on a team in which he’s not the best player, and question whether he will ever be the best player for a Real Madrid team that has Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. Lastly, the episode forecasts Mbappe’s future at Real Madrid.

If you’re interested in an abstract exploration of football that’s niche and specific without being a regurgitated form of ‘mainstream tactics’ then check out what Joel is building further at Ballerz Bantz.

Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid.

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 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:

Siddharth Ramsundar (tacticalfouling)

Joel Adejola (JoelAdejola)

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In a recently released exclusive Members-only podcast on Patreon, Managing Madrid’s Kiyan Sobhani and Lucas Navarrete went through the weekly Real Madrid mailbag and answered questions sent in from Real Madrid fans. This particular clip is a question about whether or not Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham can crack the all-time Real Madrid XI by the time they retire.

For those eager to get a taste of the insightful conversation, Managing Madrid has provided a free 12-minute clip from the 36-minute episode. The full episode was recorded in front of a live virtual audience.

Listeners and watchers are encouraged to sign up as a Member on Patreon to ensure they don’t miss out on the bonus content that Managing Madrid posts multiple times per week. Membership provides access to exclusive podcasts, in-depth analyses, and other premium content that is not available elsewhere.

To listen to the full episode, head over to Managing Madrid on Patreon.

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