Managing Madrid Podcast

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Gabe Lezra discuss:   Real Madrid blowing their xG out of the water againPablo Machin's efficient schemes this seasonToni Kroos's brilliance all over the pitchThe general direct approach from the front six in the final thirdSet-piece defendingLucas Vazquez's formCristiano Ronaldo going into unicorn mode The benefits of owning a smal...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Matt Wiltse discuss:   The brief Miguel Palanca cameoSergio Ramos's transition from a right-back to center-backAll the unforunate memories of Fernando GagoGonzalo Higuain's legacyMarcelo's growing pains en route to becoming one of the best wing-backs of all timeDani Parejo's expectations, and how he's finally starting to hit stride...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Pocast, Kiyan Sobhani and Matt Wiltse discuss: Real Madrid's Champions League hangover in IpuruaThe great (and not so efficient against Real Madrid) EibarThe diamond issue, and Isco's roleGareth Bale's role in the 4-4-2Wing-backs not pushing up until later in the match when the scheme shifted a bitLuka Modric is so, so good at footballCristiano Ronaldo, why w...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani is joined by Euan McTear to discuss: How Eibar, the smallest team in La Liga, have found so much successMendilibar's 4-4-2, and turnover within the squadKeeping the core, starting with Frank Garagarza -- Eibar's MonchiIvan Alejo, signed at an absolute bargaingTHE LEGEND THAT IS INUIPedro Leon's return this weekend as a starter against R...

Two parts to this week's Managing Madrid Podcast. Part 1. Kiyan Sobhani is joined by ESPNFC's Jonathan Johnson to discuss: PSG's mindset heading into the second legRevisiting important wrinkles from the first legAngel Di Maria's upcoming roleThe end of Lo Celso as a DMPSG's probabl line-upKylian Mbappe's healthThe pressure on EmeryPSG's ultrasReal Madrid's potential starters Part 2. Gabe Lezra and...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan, Gabe, and Om discuss: The BBC, 4-4-2, and Lucas VazquezTheo's performanceZidane's emphasis to go to the flanks, the off-ball movement, and the reason for constant danger The steady progression of the Casemiro - Kovacic doubke-pivotRevisting the Dani Ceballos situation: the options Real Madrid had over the summer, Barca's eye on him, and his de...

On the episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Sam Sharpe discuss: The main differences between last year's Castilla team and this year'sMario Hermoso's leapPhilipe Lienhart updateThe unfortunate start to Sergio Diaz's Real Madrid careerAleix Febas updateFede V updateSeoane carrying the load at CastillaCristo as a striker, and what his best role really isDani Gomez conspiracy --...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Om Arvind discuss: The stereotypical Quique Setien gameReal Madrid's awful defensive structure in this particular 4-4-2The psychological importance of Sergio Ramos's goalZinedine Zidane's half-time team talkxG in the past few games, and how Real Madrid have been ripping it to shredsLucas Vazquez's contributionsTwo elephants in the r...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Jonathan Johnson (ESPNFC) discussed:  PSG's mood / morale / feeling going into this matchThe tests PSG have faced this season, and how they've coped with themEmery's tactics heading into this matchPSG's weaknessesDi Maria's role heading into this game, particularly based on his recent form and health / form concerns of Mbappe and Ca...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Om Arvind dicussed: Real Madrid's defensive vulnerabilityLuka Modric being God but needing more help from the teamHow Real Madrid should be working to prevent countersMindset heading into the PSG matchPersonnel / tactical problemsCasemiro's role, and whether he's conducive to the team winningSubbing Gareth BaleAsensio's minutesFalse...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Om Arvind discuss: Where this win ranks among other performances this seasonReal Madrid's wonky and fluctuating xGReal Madrid's press, and how they dealt with Valencia'sCasemiro being CasemiroZidane's subsRoles of the midfield trioGoncalo Guedes / Carlos Soler swapThe Isco question, and debunking narratives against himCrossing stats...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani was joined by David Garrido of Sky Sports to discuss: Valencia's form this season, including their recent slumpMarcelino's blitzing counter-attack, and Real Madrid's worrying transition defenseThe upside of Carlos SolerMaksimovic, Santi Mina, Francis Coquelin and Valencia's depthThe discipline required to buy into Marcelino's blueprintT...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan, Gabe, and Om discuss: The tactical differences against Deportivo compared to previous schemesThe improved structure of the midfield trioGareth Bale's importance, not only offensively, but also in terms of balanceBorja Mayoral's performanceThe Isco questionMinor nitpickingPSG discussionZinedine Zidane's post-game commentsQuezada's shift from le...

Gabe Lezra rolls solo in this episode (Kiyan was busy being a good father, the loser, while Om is overseas...) where he recaps Madrid's victory in the Butarque. It wasn't a great match, but it was a great result for Madrid, especially this season. Additionally, he also talks scouting--which young players looked good in the Butarque, and how to separate their individual performances as prospects fr...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Matt Wiltse discuss: Their initial reaction to Pablo Fornals's goalTactics against Villarreal, and general schematic problems during this rutThe differences between this 'diamond' and last year's diamondThe need for tactical rejuvinationPriorities this seasonCristiano Ronaldo. The benefits that Dani Ceballos could bring....A questio...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Allen Dodson discussed: Villarreal's Copa del Rey exit, and their historical negligence in this competitionThe emergence of Pablo FornalsDefensive drop-offs and not being able to replace players like Eric Bailly and Mateo MussacchioA breakdown of the Cedric Bakambu dealPossible replacement(s) for BakambuaVillarreal's probable starti...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Gabe Lezra and Kiyan Sobhani discussed:   Marcelo's post-game commentsMarcelo's defensive problems, and other problems withing the team surrounding him that made it even worseThe diference between Toni Kroos and Luka Modric defensivelyLacking "fire"Gareth Bale putting the team on his back, and becoming a leader when the team needs oneAchraf's perform...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani was joined by Spanish football journalist Alexandra Jonson (@AlexandraJonson on Twitter) to discuss Real Madrid's upcoming opponent Celta Vigo, and namely:   John Guidetti's interesting career, and how he's fallen so much out of Celta's rotationCelta Vigo's summer, and general transfer philosophy which has fans dividedHow Real Madrid ca...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan and Lucas discussed:   A nightmarish second half in El ClasicoThe starting line-up. What was good about it, and what were its flawsZinedine Zidane's reaction in the second halfReal Madrid's offensive labour without a player to bind the counter-attackThe defensive decisions of inidividuals in the second half which had multiple domino effectsLa L...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani was joined by Alex Kirkland to discuss all things el Clasico, including: Gareth Bale's role in this game: How many minutes will he get, and what will he bring to the table? Furthermore, what part do Isco and Benzema play? Barca's probable XI, and the Jordi Alba threatOur favourite Clasicos in recent memoryThe most entertaining Clasicos...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid podcast, Gabe, Om, and Kiyan discussed: Kaka's legacy at Real MadridAntoinne Greizmann's costume The difference in schemes between the matches against Al Jazira and GremioThe innocence and sweetness of Jesus VallejoCristiano Ronaldo's infinite records A potential Harry Kane / Kylian Mbappe fitJose Angel Sanchez -- the brilliant man behind the scenesGareth Bal...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan, Gabe, and Om discussed: The mess that is Sevilla FCReal Madrid's diverse offensive scheme: fresh and efficientThe great shifts from Real Madrid's back-line in the absences of key defensive playersAgain, the recurring Isco debateStandouts: Asensio and RonaldoZidane's substitutions, and Kiyan's sadness of the Bernabeu's reaction to Llorente's su...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan and Om discussed: The hot topic that is Isco's free-role: Issues, difference between this season's scheme and last season's, potential benefits, and the dangerous dominoesReal Madrid's struggle in creating chancesBenzema and Ronaldo: xGs, isolations, having to drop deep, disconnected as a duo, not receiving the ball in areas where they can thri...

Gabe Lezra and Om Arvind break down Real Madrid's discombobulated win versus Malaga, touching on everything from Cristiano Ronaldo's state of mind while taking penalties, to Zidane's tactical decision to roll out a strange 4-4-2 variant. They also discuss Isco's role in the tactical strategy, and the plusses and minuses of such a roaming playmaking position.  They also discuss Barcelona's 1-1 draw...

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Matt Wiltse discuss: Tactics against Atletico: The good, the bad, and that 'what should've been different'Zidane's subs, and lack of reaction to what was unfolding in front of himRonaldo and Benzema's formThe polarizing figure that is IscoCasemiro, Modric, and Kroos's ability to deal with a pressAtletico's approach / butcheringThe.....