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Managing Madrid

Dominating European football since March 6th 1902

Latest Entries

Fan Faces Fine and Stadium Ban After Racist Incident Involving Vinícius Jr.

Spain’s State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance in Sport has proposed disciplinary action against a supporter accused of throwing a banana at Vinícius Júnior during Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey Round of 16 match against Albacete on January 14 at the Carlos Belmonte. According to a report compiled by the National Police’s National […]

Real Madrid Continue Valencia Preparations as Arda Güler Shines in Physical Testing

Real Madrid returned to the training pitch today as they continue preparations for Sunday night’s La Liga clash against Valencia at Mestalla (9:00 pm local time). With matchday approaching, Alvaro Arbeloa’s squad went through another structured session at Real Madrid City, blending physical work, tactical preparation, and competitive drills. The session began indoors, where players […]

Open Thread: February 5, 2026

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 movie marathon night with: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, […]

Managing Madrid Podcast: Real Madrid’s Squad Construction Has Gone Wayward

AUDIO: VIDEO: On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Matt Wiltse discuss: 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 […]

Asencio expected to be available against Valencia

Real Madrid defender Raúl Asencio has escaped a serious injury and is expected to be available when Los Blancos visit Valencia this Sunday, club sources told Managing Madrid. The Spanish defender has been playing through pain for weeks now and had to leave last weekend’s match against Rayo Vallecano at half-time. Luckily enough, he seems […]

Real Madrid return to work with Pintus-led fitness test ahead of Valencia trip

Real Madrid were back on the grass at Valdebebas today, kicking off preparations for Sunday night’s La Liga clash against Valencia at Mestalla (9:00pm local time). After two days of rest following the win over Rayo Vallecano, Alvaro Arbeloa’s squad returned to Real Madrid City for a session that was as much about physical conditioning […]

Open Thread: February 4, 2026

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 night with: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, Kung_Fu_Zizou […]

Laporta: “I Don’t Know Where Those Ten Minutes Came From”

Joan Laporta has been continually taking digs at Real Madrid, and on Monday at the luncheon between the Albacete and Barcelona board of directors, the FC Barcelona president delivered another set of pointed remarks — this time centered on “diving”, penalties, and what he believes is a growing culture of referee manipulation in La Liga. […]

Real Madrid blocked Fran García’s move to Bournemouth, player now unhappy -report

Real Madrid defender Fran García had received interest from Bournemouth in the last few days of the transfer window and was keen on joining the Premier League club until Los Blancos rejected those offers and blocked the move, according to reports from Cadena COPE, MARCA or The Athletic. Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola had coached García […]

Open Thread: February 3, 2026

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 night with: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, Kung_Fu_Zizou […]

DISCUSSION: How Do You Keep Everyone Happy Next Season?

Much like this season, Real Madrid will have a lot of attackers next season, and it will be difficult to keep everyone happy. With Endrick firing on all cylinders in Lyon, he is almost surely going to return. There is also Nico Paz, one of Serie A’s best players, and it would be impossible for […]

The Hidden Cost of the “Baby Galacticos” Project

Two years ago, Real Madrid were being praised for something unprecedented: transitioning from one golden generation to another without suffering “transition years.” The formula looked revolutionary. Sign the best 16–21 year-olds in the world, develop them internally, and let elite talent sort itself out. It felt like modern squad-building perfection. In June of 2022, I […]

Police identify fan who threw banana peel at Vinicius during Albacete–Real Madrid

Spanish authorities have identified the individual responsible for a racist incident during Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey match away to Albacete on January 14 at the Carlos Belmonte. In a statement released Sunday, the Castilla-La Mancha Police Headquarters confirmed that a spectator threw a banana peel in the direction of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. […]

Open Thread: February 2, 2026

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 Christmas movie Marathon with: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, […]

Managing Madrid Podcast | Madrid Mornings: No signs of improvement (Rayo, 2-1)

In this episode of Madrid Mornings, Lucas shares his thoughts on Real Madrid’s win over Rayo Vallecano. 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 also serves as a means for Real […]

Bellingham out around one month with hamstring injury

Real Madrid have published a medical report on midfielder Jude Bellingham, who will miss around one month of actions with the hamstring injury he suffered early in the game against Rayo Vallecano. Following tests carried out today on our player Jude Bellingham by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury […]

Alvaro Arbeloa: “Players are better with their fans”

Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa spoke to the media after their win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. He was asked about the team being booed at the Bernabeu, to which he said: “I obviously respect all opinions and viewpoints. But I saw a crowd that carried us to victory, supporting us when we needed […]

Managing Madrid Podcast: Real Madrid 2 – 1 Rayo Vallecano, Post-game, La Liga 2025 – 2026

AUDIO: VIDEO: On this ⁠episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast⁠, Kiyan Sobhani gives his reaction to ⁠⁠⁠Real Madrid’s win over Rayo Vallecano in La Liga at the Bernabeu. Discussed: Bellingham’s injury, players out of position, Real Madrid’s problems, and more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid (or ⁠⁠YouTube membership⁠⁠). […]

MLS

Fede Valverde: “I think we played a great match”

Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde felt he and his teammates played a great match in the 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday afternoon. Real Madrid, who were struggling to create chances in the second half, barely escaped a draw against 10-man Rayo Vallecano. Valverde was asked about the game and how a win here […]

Player Ratings: Real Madrid 2–1 Rayo Vallecano

Player Ratings: Real Madrid 2–1 Rayo Vallecano Thibaut Courtois — 8 Made three saves, and none bigger than the huge breakaway stop in the second half. Another game where he quietly preserved the points. Fede Valverde — 8.5 Real Madrid’s best player. Defended aggressively (seven clearances), ran tirelessly off the ball, and was basically unstoppable […]

Immediate Reaction: Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano (Vinícius Júnior & Mbappé). Another close call… Here is the reaction to the late, late win. Coming up: Player ratings, interviews and a podcast. When question marks arise over commitment to the badge and professionalism, the last team you want to face is Rayo Vallecano. A unit that must require new socks after […]

CONFIRMED lineups: Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano, 2026 La Liga

Real Madrid have published their starting lineup for the upcoming match against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga. OFFICIAL LINEUPS Real Madrid predicted XI: Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Güler, Mastantuono, Vinicius, Mbappé. Rayo Vallecano predicted XI: Batalla, Ratiu, Lejeune, Mendy, Chavarria, Ciss, Diaz, Ilias, Isi, Alvaro, De Frutos. Camavinga starts on the left-back […]

Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano, 2026 La Liga: Predicted lineups

Real Madrid host Rayo Vallecano in what should be a manageable home game for Los Blancos. Arbeloa will be expected to deploy the same starting lineup he’s been using in recent games, with the exception of either Brahim or Rodrygo starting on the right wing. Real Madrid predicted XI: Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras, Tchouameni, […]