The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

Josh Williams (as seen on Anfield Wrap, LFC TV et al) joins Siddharth Ramsundar to discuss Liverpool v Real Madrid from a tactical perspective. What went wrong with Liverpool's rebuild after signing Wirtz, Isak, Kerkez and Frimpong? Was the 'galactico' approach from Michael Edwards, RIchard Hughes and FSG a bad fit for Liverpool? How much do Liverpool miss Trent and what about his shy...

Jarod Hector joins Siddharth to discuss VInicius' apologies and the contract situation. Can he and Xabi Alonso coexist?

Loconte and Jarod Hector discuss the tactical keys to Xabi Alonso overhauling Real Madrid so quickly without a preseason. After an El Clasico that was in complete contrast to the Atletico Madrid and PSG games earlier in the year, Alonso has clearly implemented many new wrinkles that are starting to come off.

Loconte, Jarod Hector and Sid break down Real Madrid's win over Barcelona. Xabi Alonso's tactical masterclass, Bellingham's role, Carreras locking up Yamal, and the mid block and high press, and more.

Loconte, Jarod Hector and Xavier discuss El Clasico from more of Real Madrid's perspective, the Endrick situation, Yamal's comments and more. Note: due to a temporary copyright issue, our intro music and reel will not be available on audio platforms. We are diligently working to fix this. Find us on YouTube if you want the complete experience in the meantime, we will update as soon as the situatio...

Ruri Barlow joins Sid to preview the biggest fixture in club football and discuss the first matchup between coaches Xabi Alonso and Hansi Flick. Barcelona have looked plenty vulnerable to start this season without Inigo Martinez. Lewandowski is injured. However, their style of play remains extremely potent against a Real Madrid team that has struggled to defend deep and prefers to defend with the...

Sid and Loconte react to Real Madrid's win over Juventus. The slow first half, chemistry between Brahim Diaz, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, another dominant Arda Guler performance, Vinicius breaking the deadlock and the wasteful finishing. Note: due to a temporary copyright issue, our intro music and reel will not be available on audio platforms. We are diligently working to fix this. Find us...

Jarod Hector and Taalib (joined by Loconte briefly) discuss Real Madrid's victory over Getafe, Mbappe's goal, Rodrygo's performance, Tchouameni and Camavinga in midfield, and more. Note: due to a temporary copyright issue, our intro music and reel will not be available on audio platforms. We are diligently working to fix this. Find us on YouTube if you want the complete experience in the meantime,...

Loconte, Jarod Hector and Xavier discuss the Real Madrid news of the week such as Florentino Perez's restructuring of the club to compete with PSG/Man City and oil clubs (as well as his fears of a Bartomeu style situation), preview the tactics Xabi Alonso may deploy to get through the Getafe game with Jose Bordalas on the horizon, and take mailbag questions. Note: due to a temporary copyright issu...

Loconte, Sid and Xavier sit down to review Xabi Alonso's first 10 games in charge of Real Madrid, the expectations, the performances, and the general trends of the team. With the lack of a preseason, things have been more challenging. We discuss Arda Guler's role, the usage and freedom of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior's performances, the need for Franco Mastantuano, navigating Fede Va...

Loconte, Jarod Hector and Xavier discuss the international break in the context of Real Madrid, Vinicius, Mbappe's interview, Villarreal's game against Barcelona in Miami, and more. We also take mailbag questions covering subjects like Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz, Nico Paz and more.

Loconte and Jarod break down the big win over Villarreal, Vinicius' performance and more.

Loconte and Xavier hang out and discuss the Villarreal game, the fans being toxic to a tired Federico Valverde, and more.

Loconte & Siddharth break down the win over Kairat. Alonso's selections, Ceballos and Alaba in buildup, Asencio and Fran and Courtois' pains on the ball, Mbappe's devastating performance, and more.

Loconte and Jarod Hector break down the implications of Dani Carvajal's injury and more in the aftermath of the defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Siddharth and Jarod Hector break down Atletico Madrid's dominant win over Real Madrid. Simeone outclassing Xabi Alonso, tactical mistakes, the decision to start Jude Bellingham, what this says about Real Madrid's floor and ceiling going forward, what Xabi Alonso can learn and more.

Loconte, Jarod Hector and new guest Xavier are here to preview the Madrid derby and Diego Simeone vs Xabi Alonso. We also take mailbag questions.

Loconte and Siddharth react to Real Madrid's win over Levante: Alonso's rotations, Carreras at center back, Asencio at right back, Franco's performance, Vini's performance, rumors about the Alonso-Vinicius rift and more.

Loconte, Jarod Hector & Taalib react to Real Madrid's comfortable win over Espanyol. On our chosen attacking dynamics with Gonzalo Garcia joining Vinicius & Mbappe, counterpressing changes to preserve energy and more.

Loconte and Jarod Hector discuss the Real Madrid news of the week including Huijsen and Carvajal's suspensions, Trent's injury, tensions between Xabi Alonso and Vinicius Jr, then take mailbag questions.

Loconte and Sid break down the win over Marseille: Vinicius' benching, dealing with De Zerbi's tactics, and more.

Ali Elfakharany of StatsBomb joins Siddharth to rank the Champions League Contenders this season.

Loconte, Jarod Hector and Taalib break down Real Madrid's win over Real Sociedad: Mbappe's performance, Xabi Alonso's lineup and defensive substitutions, the terrible referee showing, and more.

Loconte and Jarod Hector discuss the Real Madrid news of the week, Antonio Rudiger's injury, major concerns after the international break, and what to expect from Xabi Alonso's boys tactically, physically and mentally going forward.

During this international break we bring to you a special throwback edition of the Real Deal. This was Jarod Hector and Siddharth's first episode recording together on the Real Deal on May 21st, 2024, back before the show was a completely independent podcast. We dove deep into Kroos’ immense impact on Real Madrid and the German National Team’s tactical identity, as he brought control to teams...