Las Blancas Podcast: Zornoza shines in a winning run!

On Friday’s exclusive Members-only Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani, Lucas Navarrete, Siddharth Ramsundar caught up to discuss various topics, including the entire circus that is FC Barcelona: Joan Laporta’s behaviour towards Xavi Hernandez, what Barcelona will look like under Hansi Flick, and more. The crew also took some time to reflect on some beautiful memories with Managing Madrid’s beloved Om Arvind. The clip we’ve uploaded for free on YouTube this week is about the most painful Real Madrid departures. Which legend’s departure hurt the most? A ranking: The full episode can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/full-video-of-25-104899077 Enjoy, subscribe, and comment, and let us know your thoughts on the above video. Subscribe to the Managing Madrid Podcast on Apple: https://apple.co/3tJ6qY9 Subscribe to the Managing Madrid Podcast on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/364lzLx Join the Patreon army for a ton on bonus content: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani, Siddharth Ramsundar, and Hridyam Arora discuss: Our emotions during Toni Kroos’s last Bernabeu performance Kroos's extremely unique station The post-Kroos era, what does it actually look like? Why we have to be infinitely grateful for the Modric - Kroos era The future evolution of Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler And more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively over on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid. Join our Real Madrid Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/rTD2PmE26f Managing Madrid is a hub for all Madridistas with updated news, op-eds, tactical analyses, artwork, and of course, podcasts. It also serves as a means for Real Madrid fans to connect and discuss the team. We would like your support so that we can continue to produce podcasts for you. The site is run by a small team that works tirelessly around the clock to make it into what it is today. Your contributions will allow us to continue to have a real and full-time presence in keeping this website, and it’s podcasts, going. Hosts this week: Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) Siddharth Ramsundar (@tacticalfouling) Hridyam Arora (@hridarora22) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special episode, we’re joined by Jarod Hector, a Madridista and podcaster for True Hoop to pay tribute to the legendary Toni Kroos as he hangs up his boots. We dive deep into Kroos’ immense impact on Real Madrid and the German National Team’s tactical identity, as he brought control to teams that traditionally preferred more heavy metal, transition-focused approaches to the game. Jarod helps us contrast Kroos and Luka Modric with their predecessors, Mesut Özil and Xabi Alonso. We also explore how Florentino Pérez’s crucial improvements as club president during the Kroos era laid the foundation for an unprecedented period of success. From the historic threepeat to Kroos’ ability to carry the team in the post-Ronaldo seasons, we leave no stone unturned in our analysis of his legacy. We focus on Kroos’ unique ability to control the game and process information on the pitch relative to other greats like Xavi, Busquets and Thiago. Looking ahead, we evaluate Real Madrid’s squad depth and the daunting task of replacing a player of Kroos’ caliber. The conversation then ends by touching on the NBA playoffs and the rise of Luka Doncic, as we explore the fascinating concept of subjective time and cognitive processing speeds in sports. TIMESTAMPS: 2:29 - Introducing Jarod and Truehoop 6:10 - How Kroos shifted Real Madrid’s tactical identity after Mourinho 10:13 - Kroos, Guardiola and Germany’s shifting identity 12:50 - Contrasting Ozil and Xabi Alonso with Kroos and Modric 18:41 - Makelele, Tchouameni, and Florentino’s crucial improvements as club president during the Kroos era 27:09 - Kroos’ impact on Real Madrid’s tactics in 2014-15 35:19 - The threepeat years and switching play 37:50 - Carrying during the post-Ronaldo seasons under Zidane 41:58 - The de and re-optimization of Kroos under Carlo Ancelotti 50:37 - Kroos’ hall of fame controlling & cognitive processing skills 1:03:54 - Real Madrid’s squad depth heading into the new season 1:16:33 - Best controlling midfielders of the 21st century 1:25:35 - Replacing Toni Kroos 1:34:36 - Subjective time and cognitive processing speeds 1:42:26 - Luka Doncic & the NBA Playoffs The Real Deal is a small Managing Madrid spinoff show that hosts podcasts that go up on our Spotify feed. Find them on X, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok at @realdealpods for more takes and banter between episodes! Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid. Join our Real Madrid Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/rTD2PmE26f Managing Madrid is a hub for all Madridistas with updated news, op-eds, tactical analyses, artwork, and of course, podcasts. It also serves as a means for Real Madrid fans to connect and discuss the team. We would like your support so that we can continue to produce podcasts for you. The site is run by a small team that works tirelessly around the clock to make it into what it is today. Your contributions will allow us to continue to have a real and full-time presence in keeping this website, and it’s podcasts, going. Hosts this week: Siddharth Ramsundar (@TacticalFouling) Jarod Hector (@jshector) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome back to our “The Making of Peñas” series where we go over the origin stories of these official Real Madrid recognized fan clubs around the world. In this episode Mehedi gets into the fascinating origin story of Peña Madridista Toronto with fellow founding members. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Best cheese slice in the World is in Canada! 02:00 - Mehedi’s jinxing abilities at Real Madrid’s live screenings 03:20 - The origin of Peña Madridista Toronto from Victor and Michael 10:00 - The process of becoming a Peña 16:00 - Future plans of Peña Madridista Toronto 18:45 - How Victor Alvarez and Michael Silva became Madrid fans 24:00 - How Real Madrid was perceived as a ‘formerly great club’ in the 90s and how the times have changed 28:00 - The state of Canadian football in the grand scheme of things 33:00 - Where to watch Real Madrid games in Toronto The Real Deal is a small Managing Madrid spinoff show that hosts podcasts that go up on our Spotify feed. Find them on X, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok at @realdealpods for more takes and banter between episodes! Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid. Join our Real Madrid Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/rTD2PmE26f Managing Madrid is a hub for all Madridistas with updated news, op-eds, tactical analyses, artwork, and of course, podcasts. It also serves as a means for Real Madrid fans to connect and discuss the team. We would like your support so that we can continue to produce podcasts for you. The site is run by a small team that works tirelessly around the clock to make it into what it is today. Your contributions will allow us to continue to have a real and full-time presence in keeping this website, and it’s podcasts, going. Host this week: Mehedi Hassan (@MHassanFootball) Peña Madridista Toronto (@PenaRM_Toronto) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani talks about: Toni Kroos's all-time CV Where does he rank all time? Was this his best season ever? Debunking Kroos criticisms Why his passing accuracy is more impressive than you realize His improvement on defense in the last two years Will Carlo Ancelotti shift back to a 4-3-3 And more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid. Managing Madrid is a hub for all Madridistas with updated news, op-eds, tactical analyses, artwork, and of course, podcasts. It also serves as a means for Real Madrid fans to connect and discuss the team. We would like your support so that we can continue to produce podcasts for you. The site is run by a small team that works tirelessly around the clock to make it into what it is today. Your contributions will allow us to continue to have a real and full-time presence in keeping this website, and it’s podcasts, going. Hosts this week: Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You can donate to Support Om Arvind's Legacy in Soccer Here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-om-arvinds-legacy-in-soccer On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani, Mehedi Hassan, and Hridyam Arora discuss: A tribute to Om Arvind Arda Guler’s performance and Sorloth leading the Pichichi race Overall performance from Real Madrid vs Villarreal Eder Militao’s performance  Andriy Lunin / Thibaut Courtois for the Champions League Final  Expected lineup vs. Real Betis and Borussia Dortmund And more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid. Managing Madrid is a hub for all Madridistas with updated news, op-eds, tactical analyses, artwork, and of course, podcasts. It also serves as a means for Real Madrid fans to connect and discuss the team. We would like your support so that we can continue to produce podcasts for you. The site is run by a small team that works tirelessly around the clock to make it into what it is today. Your contributions will allow us to continue to have a real and full-time presence in keeping this website, and it’s podcasts, going. Hosts this week: Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) Mehedi Hassan (@MHassanFootball) Hridyam Arora (@hridarora22) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the first episode of a new Managing Madrid x Real Deal Pods series “The Making of Peñas” where we go over the origin stories of these official Real Madrid recognized fan clubs around the world. This episode gets into the fascinating origin story of Peña Madridista Bangladesh, challenges faced by the founders in getting their peña officially recognized by the club, how Mehedi got kicked out of the group multiple times before it was recognized, the perks of being a peña and the sense of camaraderie that comes with it, and more. TIMESTAMPS: 1:25: Introducing the new series “The Making of Peñas” 2:45: Origin story of Peña Madridista Bangladesh 5:00: The challenges to get it recognized 8:30: The flex of Madridismo and UCL finals 12:00: The bond among members of Peña Madridista Bangladesh 13:50: Perks of being a Peñista 15:40: What would happen if Sid and Mehedi voted on important Real Madrid matters 16:45: The 92:48 Podcast 17:50: The ease of commonalities among Peñas 20:00: The unique name of Peña Madridista Bangladesh 21:00: Best place to watch a CL final in Dhaka & Bangladesh’s rich food culture The Real Deal is a small Managing Madrid spinoff show that hosts podcasts that go up on our Spotify feed. Find them on X, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok at @realdealpods for more takes and banter between episodes! Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid. Join our Real Madrid Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/rTD2PmE26f Managing Madrid is a hub for all Madridistas with updated news, op-eds, tactical analyses, artwork, and of course, podcasts. It also serves as a means for Real Madrid fans to connect and discuss the team. We would like your support so that we can continue to produce podcasts for you. The site is run by a small team that works tirelessly around the clock to make it into what it is today. Your contributions will allow us to continue to have a real and full-time presence in keeping this website, and it’s podcasts, going. Hosts this week: Siddharth Ramsundar (@TacticalFouling) Mehedi Hassan (@MHassanFootball) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Yash Thakur discuss: Carlo Ancelotti’s starting XI and decision not to rotate the team Eduardo Camavinga’s positioning ARDA GÜLER! Thibaut Courtois’s performance and his place in the Champions League final Eder Militao — slowly improving Insane Toni Kroos and Jude Bellingham numbers A reflection on Bellingham’s season And more. Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid. Join our Real Madrid Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/rTD2PmE26f Managing Madrid is a hub for all Madridistas with updated news, op-eds, tactical analyses, artwork, and of course, podcasts. It also serves as a means for Real Madrid fans to connect and discuss the team. We would like your support so that we can continue to produce podcasts for you. The site is run by a small team that works tirelessly around the clock to make it into what it is today. Your contributions will allow us to continue to have a real and full-time presence in keeping this website, and it’s podcasts, going. Hosts this week: Yash Thakur (@Odriozolite) Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On our latest episode @tacticalfouling is joined by analyst @dharnishiqbal to conclude our discussion of the Champions League semifinals. How was Ancelotti’s tactical performance against Tuchel? How did Madrid’s free-roaming cause issues for Bayern? Did Madrid suffer more against City or Bayern? Did City’s refusal to take risks hurt them against Madrid? How much of City’s ability to make Madrid suffer was physical? Tune in! Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid. Join our Real Madrid Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/rTD2PmE26f Managing Madrid is a hub for all Madridistas with updated news, op-eds, tactical analyses, artwork, and of course, podcasts. It also serves as a means for Real Madrid fans to connect and discuss the team. We would like your support so that we can continue to produce podcasts for you. The site is run by a small team that works tirelessly around the clock to make it into what it is today. Your contributions will allow us to continue to have a real and full-time presence in keeping this website, and it’s podcasts, going. Hosts this week: Siddharth Ramsundar (@TacticalFouling) Dharnish Iqbal (@dharnishiqbal) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of Las Blancas podcast, hosts Yash Thakur and Kanita discuss Real Madrid’s key performers in their three straight wins and transfer rumours for the summer. Talking points: Three consecutive wins for Toril’s side Second place mathematically sealed for Las Blancas Claudia Zornoza with a goal in each of the last three games Zornoza’s divisive 2023-24 season Linda Caicedo’s big game gene Moller reaches 100 appearances with Madrid Verdict on Moller’s time at the club Where does Moller fit next season? Rumours around Maria Mendez and Maelle Lakrar joining the club The future of Sousa, Rocio and Ivana next season Sousa’s disappearance from the team Alba Redondo’s rumored arrival and fit at the club How does return of Caroline Weir shape the team up? Did you enjoy this podcast? Please consider supporting us through Patreon for more bonus content: Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid Managing Madrid is a hub for all Madridistas with updated news, op-eds, tactical analyses, artwork, and of course, podcasts. It also serves as a means for Real Madrid fans to connect and discuss the team. We would like your support so that we can continue to produce podcasts for you. The site is run by a small team that works tirelessly around the clock to make it into what it is today. Your contributions will allow us to continue to have a real and full-time presence in keeping this website, and its podcasts, going. Hosts this week: Yash Thakur (@Odriozolite) Kanita (@KaniFroh) Las Blancas (@Las_Blancas) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices