Managing Madrid Podcast

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Matt Wiltse discuss: - CWC threepeat! - Standout players from the final - Should've been a more emphatic scoreline, given the decision-making in the final third - Al Ain's 'weapons' -- set-pieces and Caito - Llorente's progression offensively - His dedication off the field, praise from Solari, and extreme diet and fitness regime - W...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, hosts Gabe Lezra, Om Arvind and Kiyan Sobhani discuss:  - Real Madrid's struggles against a completely neutered Rayo Vallecano - Diving into some of the advanced statistics - Is this the real Real Madrid, or is there something else going on? - What's going on with Isco? - Is Real Madrid's attacking problem systemic? Or is it luck? -Om gives us a deep...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani, Gabe Lezra, and Om Arvind discuss: SuperClasico thoughtsThe woeful offensive stats against HuescaSolari's schematic rigidityBright spots: Courtois, Bale, and Llorente (with extra Kiyan-monologue-sauce on the laste one)Quick notes from the Melilla matchSolari's lack of adjustmentsIsco's positioningReal Madrid's midfield options next sum...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and David Garrido discuss: Valencia's slow start to the game, and issues on the pitch (and also their issues this season)Dani Carvajal's return to form, and him and Vazquez teaming up to take Gaya / Guedes out of the gameReal Madrid's excellent pressReal Madrid looking in control, but in reality, the chances were evenRamos, Ceballos, an...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani, Gabe Lezra, and Om Arvind discuss: Ceballos as defensive midfielderReal Madrid's transition defense.. Were there any positives? Why aren't we seeing Marcos Llorente or Fede Valverde?10 offsidesBuild-up issues stemming from the backBale's no-showIncoherent, emotional ranting from all 3 membersLack of leadershipDopingBrahim Diaz rumoursP...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani answers your questions. Topics discussed: Comparing Mbappe and Asensio's leadership qualitiesSolari benching certain playersDifferent potential formations, and looking at th 3-5-2 and 4-2-3-1Tite's comments about Rodrgyo Goes being more mature than Vinicius JrSpending money on transfers, and it's correlation with stadium costsIs Luis Fi...

Hosts Gabe Lezra, Om Arvind and Emilee Woods break down Real Madrid's impressive 2-4 victory over Celta Vigo in Balaídos--a ground they've traditionally struggled with. There's a fair amount to say about this match but, let's be real, this was a game where Celta decided to emulate Simeone's Atleti and literally injure as many people as possible.  Oh, and Barcelona lost. And Madrid won. Is this rea...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Om Arvind discuss: A weird game that turned into a feel-good winWhy did Real Madrid look so underwhelming for the majority of the match? Needing more from Gareth BaleThe team's defensive shapeVinicius's impact off the benchCasemiro's performance as an attacking threatSolari's subsWhat are the odds of winning the league? A larger, mo...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Sam Sharpe discuss: The facts: A quick rundown of everything that happened today and who takes what roleThe club's statement about LopeteguiAssessing Solari's first two seasons with CastillaWhy his third season has been better, objectivelyReinventing Sergio Diaz, Luismi Quezada, Cristo, and othersThe one constant under Solari's regi...

There's just no way to sugarcoat this one, folks. It's a complete disaster for Real Madrid, as they've lost 5-1 to Barcelona in the Camp Nou. Gabe and Om work to pick up the pieces of the Lopetegui era.  Some topics:  The first half disaster--is it tactical, motivational, or both? Lopetegui's situational cowardice. Critical abandonment of the press-and-posess formula for milquetoast crap. Can anyo...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Alex Kirkland (RMTV, TSFP) discuss: What happened against LevanteReal Madrid's goalscoring strugglesThe contrast between Real Madrid's first-half and second-half (a recurring trend, in some ways)The historically bad goalscoring statsSolari's turnaround with CastillaVinicius JrThe case for Lopetegui to stay, but the harsh reality sur...

Gabe and Om try to figure out what to talk about because it's the international break and, honestly, there's just not that much going on. Thankfully, there were some good questions, so that helped for sure.  Here are some of the topics: The international break sucks. The international break sucks because players injure themselves and then their clubs get screwed over just because they played in on...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Om Arvind discuss: Lopetegui's tactical issues"over-fluidity"Lack of vertical optionsPositioning of the midfield trioLack of bail-out players on the fieldBenzema's lack of productionThe poor quality of shotsThanking God for the international breakLuka Modric's formReal Madrid's wingback situation, and the offensive drop-off without...

This episode of the Managing Madrid podcast is brought to you by Hotel Europa. On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Robbie Dunne discuss: - Atletico's defensive scheme, and how well they snuffed space - Why this game proved difficult to score in - What Gimenez brought to the table for Atletico - What was missing without Marcelo and Isco - The contrast between the first...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani, Gabe Lezra, and Om Arvind discuss:   The (relatively) low xG for both sides for this particular gameA Matheu Lahoz rantEspanyol's high-pressIsco and Asensio's interchangeabilityWhat Gareth Bale would've solvedPass maps and what they indicateReal Madrid's great press, exemplified by Ceballos and CasemiroSergio Ramos's 'freedom'The case...

MMPod hosts Gabe Lezra and worst account on football twitter-nominee Om Arvind were on the Let’s Fix Football Podcast on Ballon d’Order this week to talk about The Financial Times’ article about Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo gamble (from a financial angle).  Juventus is banking on a massive increase not just in their own publicity but in Serie A’s publicity and ability to market itself international...

This episode of the Managing Madrid Podcas is brought to you by Hotel Europa in Madrid. On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani, Gabe Lezra, and Om Arvind discuss:   Courtois's comfort with the ball at his feetAthletic Bilbao's pressingBerizzo's man-marking schemeReal Madrid's vulnerability defending the half-space between Marcelo and RamosThe changes that Casemrio broughtTon...

We’re all sick, and it’s the international break. So, sorry if we sound a bit weird. Plus Gabe is producing today. On this episode Om Arvind, Kiyan Sobhani and Gabe Lezra discuss: Spain vs. England takeawaysLuis Enrique’s debut as a managerSergio Ramos (boooooooo -Liverpool/all England fans)Dani Carvajal’s resurgenceLeave Isco alone! He’s good, actually. The Nation’s League: good, bad or meh? Om’s...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Om Arvind discuss: Another positive performance! Lopetegui’s desire to control games, and the absurd amount of possessionThe change of style, and the emphasis on efficiencyThings Real Madrid do need to improve onWhat is the most efficient front six? Where does Marcos Llorente fit? Luka Modric’s freedomeBale and Benzema shot volumeMa...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani, Gabe Lezra, and Om Arvind discuss: Om's rubbish binWhat changed at half-time in Girona? Problems facing a high pressCasemiro's issues and what he needs to overcome to play more comfortablly in Lopetegui's scheme Isco's roleWhat happened on the goal conceded? Keylor's distributionGareth Bale's alpha formRamos and penaltiesBeIn crew brin...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Jeremy Beren (of Into The Calderon) discuss: Atletico's revamped rosterTheir potential starting XI against Real Madrid on WednesdayDevelopment of Theo and Lucas HernandezA perspective of Real Madrid's summer from a rivalThe victory of Griezmann's 'decision'Rodrigo Moreno fi at Real, Valencia's striker overloadToni Kroos as an anchor...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani, Gabe Lezra, and Om Arvind discuss: Real Madrid's pressing against Juventus looking goodChecking in on Lopetegui's tactical identityMarco Asensio as a false 9 Gareth Bale relianceSergio Reguilion pre-season progressJavi Sanchez pre-season progressDani Carvajal formWhat happens to Fede Valverde and Martin Odegaard? Odriozola 'vs' Carvaja...

Hosts Gabe Lezra and Om Arvind break down a whole lot of not much this week--they break down the recent transfer rumors, including Theo possibly joining la Real on loan, and the Don Balón reporting on Florentino Perez flying to London for...reasonns. They also talk about Real Madrid in Miami, Lopetegui's tactics, and Om gives us his 30 second breakdown of JLo's tactics and Juego de Posición.    Le...

On this epsiode of the Managing Madrid Pocast, Kiyan Sobhani, Gabe Lezra, and Om Arvind discuss: Sri Lankan foodEden Hazard's brothers plus potential fit with Real MadridWould Mauro Icardi fit? Keys to sustained winning year after yearGo-to fast food jointsCristiano Ronaldo's relationship with Florentino PerezFuture free-kick takersWhere does Cristiano Ronaldo retire? How to make the Balon D'or ce...

It's a BONUS short for you tonight, as your host Gabe Lezra was interviewed for his weekly segment on LoveSport Radio UK to talk transfers. They discussed how to replace Ronaldo (impossible), the mood around Madrid (nostalgic) and all the different options Real Madrid are mulling in what appears to be a rather subdued market (....at least at the moment!) You can catch Gabe on LoveSport every Satur...