Managing Madrid Podcast

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani, Gabe Lezra, and Om Arvind discuss: The World Cup Final: Full analysisMateo Kovacic's lack of playing timeReal Madrid fans who weren't emotionally attached to Cristiano RonaldoMartin Odegaard: What's nextFabio Coentrao: What's nextNeymar baggage -- is it real? The Santiago Bernabeu Yeste and Alfredo Di Stefano era, and parralels with Fl...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Gabe Lezra discuss: The nervey Croatia - Russia match, and how Croatia could take down EnglandHow fun will France vs Belgium be? Importance of Casemiro for BrazilLuis Enrique appointment / Fernando Hierro stepping downLatest Cristiano Ronaldo updates, and what's nextThe argument against signing Ronaldo if you're JuveAre there positi...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Adam Digby discuss: Where the heck did this come from? How real is this? Financial stuff Juve need to figure out in order to sign RonaldoWhy Juve? Why aren't there offers from other teams? Is he worth it, given his contract and age? Jorge Mendes ployPotentially sending Juve players the other wayFlorentino Perez's mindsetAnd more --...

Gabe Lezra is flying solo today (probably a good thing) to rant about Spain's choke job against Russia, and the controversy surrounding the match, and where to apportion the blame (I think you can probably guess where this is going...). Ultimately the players choked--but what happened to allow this situation to occur in the first place? And where does the Spanish national team (and the federation)...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Gabe Lezra discuss:   Germany's flaws, as they exit this ridiculous World Cup so far How things can turn around for SpainShould Nacho start? Is the De Gea criticism justified? Spanish press circling De Gea when there are much bigger problemsThings that Hierro needs to fixIs Luka Modric the player of the tournament so far? VAR IS A G...

In this BONUS SHORT, we bring you the audio of your MM Host Gabe Lezra's recent interview on the London radio station LoveSport Radio (558 on your AM dial if you're in London)--he talked with host James Sherwood  about Spain's draw with Portugal, Cristiano's heroics (is it time to crown a new king of Spain?!), Lopetegui drama (and who's to blame--in Gabe's opinion, not Real Madrid!) and more. Gabe...

Hosts Gabe Lezra (@ElEzrah) and Om Arvind (@OmVArvind) break down all the World Cup games so far from a Real Madrid perspective. How incredible was King Cristiano, First of His Name? Should Spain be worried moving forward without Lopetegui? Why isn't Croatia starting Kovacic? What about Marcelo and Brazil, are they uninspired or did they just run into a really good Swiss defense?  Plus, transfer q...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Phil Ball discuss: The White Storm -- looking back at Galactico 1.0 with hindsightDavid Beckham's professionalismInitial reactions to Julen Loptegui's appointmentWhy announce it now? How does this effect the World Cup camp? Does Lopetegui bring any Spanish players with him? Fit: tactics, versatility, man management, etcPast club fal...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Christian Paredes discuss: The growth of Real Madrid's brand around the worldReal Madrid vs Manchester United in 2000 -- the importance of that tieIs European / Champions League DNA real? Guti's mangerial identityThe greatness of this eraGareth Bale's positioning The most important figures in Real Madrid historyThe pressure of winni...

This episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast is two parts: Part One, Phil Kitromilides of RMTV: The most special moments of the past six yearsThe failures building up to La DecimaThe best goals scored in the past six yearsAdvice for aspiring journalistsBest stadiums in SpainCorazon Classic MatchAnd more Part Two, yours truly: Zidane's legacy and what's nextRanking potential candidatesThe case for G...

On this special episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Gabe Lezra discuss: Real Madrid's legacy (our yearly post-season discussion)The feelings behind and throughout this matchThe most defining momentsTactical worries stemming from the starting scheme -- all coming true from our predictionsThe composure of Luka Modric and Toni KroosCasemiroThe before and after of Salah's injuryG...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Gabe Lezra discuss:   Luka Doncic, and La DecimaThe sharp contrast between Real Madrid’s first half and second half performance at CerámicaThe similarities (albeit clutching here) between Liverpool and VillarrealBreaking the pressCarvajal vs ManéBale’s potential functioning against LiverpoolLiverpool’s defensive shapeLiverpool’s wea...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Matt Wiltse discuss: Barca's invincible seasonCelta Vigo's suicidal high lineA Boyé dudReal Madrid's comfort in picking Celta apart; plus discussion on the 4-1-4-1, 4-2-3-1, and 4-4-1-1Thierry Henry's positioning (you'll see why)Gareth Bale's best position, and why he plays better on the flankBorja Mayoral's place long termThe benef...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Diego Lorijn discuss: Referees (just wanted to get this out of the way quickly)Gareth Bale's defensive effortReal Madrid's high-line exploitedThe dominoes of the Sergi Roberto red card, and Coutinho leaving the pitch at half-timeBack-and-forth momentum shifts between the two teamsIniesta send-offHistorical clasico heatIvan Rakitic's...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Gabe Lezra discuss: Dani Ceballos as the team's cogMarcos Llorente's play in a slightly untraditional role for himThe leash needed for the current young playersAchraf Hakimi's performance -- the good, bad, and improvements in certain aspects of his gameBorja Mayoral's isolation, and future ceilingLa Liga vs Champions LeagueKarim Ben...

Hosts Gabe Lezra and Om Arvind answer all of YOUR burning questions about all things Real Madrid. And yes, they do reveal all of the secrets to beating Real Madrid because this is not a Real Madrid supporters show this is a Real Madrid sabotage account.  Some topics include:  Tactical questions ahead of the huge Bayern clash. Who should start? Where should they play? Signing questions--should they...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani is joined by John Dillon to discuss:   The latest from Bayern's camp -- injuries, likely replacements, etcThe depth and versatillity of Jupp HeynckesHow Real Madrid controlled Lewandowski and Robben last seasonWhat James Rodriguez brings to the table for BayernHow big Vidal's absence will beThe most jarring Real Madrid vs Bayern moments...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Gabe Lezra discuss: Leftover Juve stuffBayern's potential line-up aganist Real Madrid (and vice versa)How Zidane should look to cover up for Marcelo defensivelyTakeaways from Malaga: Standouts or otherwiseHas Real Madrid ever been one of the best defensive teams in the world? James Rodriguez stuffOnce de Gala shrinkageAnd more Did y...

Two parts to tonight's Managing Madrid Podcast.  Part one (Kiyan Sobhani and Adam Digby of BeIn Sports): The ice in Ronaldo's veins, and the underrated header leading up to the penaltyThat penalty callBuffon's sending-off (red card, Champions League career and all) -- not an ideal oneWhere do Juve go from here? Using the Champions League as the measuring stick of how great a team really isHow much...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani, Gabe Lezra, and Om Arvind dicuss:   How close this was to a stereotypical derbyGareth Bale's role: What it was, what it should've been, and why he looked better in certain moments over othersThe regression of Atletico over the past few yearsThe tactics from both sidesxG, and context neededPasillo, and all the controversy around Zidane'...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Jeremy Beren of Into The Calderon joins Kiyan Sobhani to discuss:   The strides Atletico have taken since the beginning of the season amid all their issues both on and off the pitchDiego Costa changing the complexion of Simeone's offensive schemeJust what is it like supporting a Europa League team? The Lucas Hernandez experienceJust how hyped is this...

Gabe Lezra is recording from a pub at JFK airport (of course) and is joined by Om Arvind to break down Real Madrid's strong performance against Las Palmas (0-3). They discussed Luka Modric's MOTM performance, Bale and Vallejo's masterclass. Was this a 4-2-3-1? Why did Zidane leave Ceballos off the roster? All this and more! Then they welcome long-term friend of the show Teddy Maglio (surprise Ted!...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Jamie Kemp discuss:   Las Palmas' roller-coaster in the last two seasonsThe sadness of seeing Jonathan Viera goMinor positives amid this season of disasterThe entire Paco Jemez experience -- high-line, post-game gold and allThe Vitolo rentalHow the careers of Halilovic and Kovacic have unfoldedPredictions and tactics of this weekend...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani discusses:   Cristiano in the eyes of the mediaHow Real Madrid will compete with other big clubs for signing players in the futureWhat would our front three look like if I had a gun to my head and was asked to replace Bale and Benzema with anyone? Shift from crossing to more unpredictability in the final thirdIsco's role in the team (ye...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Om Arvind discuss:   Their respective all-time XI's, and their rationale behind their selectionsHow would Di Stefano do if he was put in a time machine and brought to 2018 while still in his peak? Gento being way ahead of his timeMarcelo vs Roberto CarlosThe tough choice: Defensive midfieldersRevisionist history with certain legends...