Open Thread: 25 August 2025

The Daily Merengue is a place where you can feel free to d 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, Ezek, Valyrian Steel, Kung_Fu_ZizouJuninhoNeRObutBlanco and yours truly, Felipejack.

Solid game

Real Madrid dominated again most of the game. It’s so strange that Courtois has only face 3 shots at target in the last 2 games. This is definitely a good change. Courtois said:

Xabi Alonso asks us to do a lot of pressing and drop back quickly if we’re countered. We’ve done it today and vs Osasuna. THIS is the road to follow.

They kept a clean sheet in their first two La Liga matches. The last it happened? 2015/16.

Alonso comments after the game:

It’s a good feeling. I think it was a very strong win. With 60 minutes of complete control, strong pressure, and a very high playing rhythm, both with the ball and without it. And in the last 20 minutes, we perhaps had to retreat a little, but we were just as strong, and we felt the high team spirit.

Are rotations finally back?

Already on the second game fo the season, Alonso made 3 changes in the line-up. Maybe someone cay say he is still looking for his starting XI. It’s true, but he might be a coach that likes to rotate:

We have 25 players in the squad, and I will try to get the best out of all of them. Vini was important today, and I intend for everyone to contribute and be ready to play. This is our motto throughout the year.

I make all my decisions thinking of what’s best for the team. For today, this [bench Vini] was my decision. The starting lineup for each game depends on the rival.”

Will Ceballos leave?

It looks like the player called yesterday match “Last dance”.

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