Kiyan's Observations
Kiyan's weekly column of thoughts, which include Real Madrid history, the players on loan, Castilla, and other tidbits
How ‘real’ are Real Madrid’s pre-season problems?
Sifting through the "it’s just pre-season" talk to find some truths about Real Madrid
A future with and without Mbappe: Where are Real Madrid headed next season?
What’s Plan B? How likely is Plan A?
Bellingham as a nine? Bellingham in a diamond? Some notes from Los Angeles
Through two training sessions, Kiyan has some quick thoughts ahead of Real Madrid’s first game pre-season game on Sunday
What are the pros and cons of Jude Bellingham playing in a diamond?
Kiyan makes the case for Bellingham to spearhead the diamond, while also pointing out why it may not work
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The Rise Of Eduardo Camavinga: A Cornerstone Of Real Madrid’s New Era
Camavinga always been ahead of the curve: Above his peers at the youth level and now already one of the best midfielders in the world — vital to the Madrid engine
Gratitude for Nacho
The Spaniard has renewed his contract. A quick tribute to a loyal Real Madrid servant.
Will Florentino Perez sign one more striker?
Joselu is awesome, but he’s not the guy who can lead Real Madrid as a starter
Does Bellingham unlock a different brand of football for Ancelotti?
Will Carlo bring back aggressive pressing?
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A good-bye to the transcendent Benzema — one of the greatest players in Real Madrid history
On Benzema’s ascendency since 2018, an emotional good-bye, and the unique stature of one of the club’s apex superstars
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Who will replace Asensio? What went wrong this season? Will Tchouameni make a leap?
Kiyan’s column also discusses Ancelotti’s quotes today about the team’s defensive problems this season
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How Real Madrid react to City humiliation is vital if they are to improve next season
Real Madrid lost to a better team, but they did not put themselves in a position to succeed. There is a path to being better.
How Rudiger and Camavinga stepped up against Manchester City
Rudiger needed to be at his best; Camavinga locked down the wing. Some notes.
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Why Real Madrid will have trouble breaking down Manchester City, how Fran Garcia helps next season, and some notes on Chef Rodrygo
Tactical observations from Kiyan
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The incredible Camavinga, the space-creating Rodrygo, and a questionable press against Manchester City
In this week’s column, Kiyan looks at Modric’s ball progression, Camavinga dazzling the Bernabeu, and how Asensio is on the verge of some career-best numbers
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The Copa on the line and a chance for redemption: Barcelona vs Real Madrid, tactical preview
El Clasico part three. Ancelotti vs Xavi. A Clasico for the ages.
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Moral victories will only doom the team further — there are many downfalls that need to be recognized urgently
Real Madrid have failed their league campaign, and to rescue Copa and UCL, Ancelotti has to learn from previous mistakes
Nacho extracted Salah’s soul over two legs
Also in here: notes on Camavinga and Fede
Why dealing with Real Madrid’s expiring contracts is not as easy as it seems
Renewing some of these players is a risk
Has Camavinga been one of Real Madrid’s best players? Is Vinicius Tobias ready?
On one of Real Madrid’s pillars, and an unlikely understudy to an ageing Carvajal
Xavi will not change how he plays; Ancelotti has plenty of options to punish Barcelona
Real Madrid have the ammo they need to not only beat Barca, but to give them heavy psychological damage
It’s time to make Barcelona uncomfortable
Exploiting Barca; and a look at danger-man Vinicius and the ever-good Camavinga
Even the biggest skeptics can’t deny Real Madrid’s mental fortitude
The performance against Liverpool felt like an extension of last season. But then again, this is just Real Madrid, a team that looks meditative when everything is going wrong.
The tension around Vinicius; Rodrygo’s left-wing role; and the give-and-take of Kroos
3 talking points from the last few games
Valverde’s goals and spiritual energy are back
Valverde carried Real Madrid’s right wing before the World Cup and covered so much ground in addition to scoring. After an understandable dip, his mojo is back.
Is the Club World Cup a good ‘break’ for Real Madrid? Plus: Arribas’s arrival, Obrador, and Vinicius
It’s extra games and extra trips, but maybe a break from La Liga is important for Ancelotti’s men.
Real Madrid have revved up their offense
In the last two games Real Madrid have kept a higher line and allowed fewer passes per defensive action. It’s worked, and on top of that, Camavinga is ballin’ at left-back
Why Fran Garcia is coming next summer and not immediately
Bayer Leverkusen forced Real Madrid to make a decision on Fran Garcia — but what does that really mean for his future?
Ceballos and Camavinga have sparked life into Real Madrid’s play
Two players who have been vital on both ends and have overwhelmed opponents
What are Real Madrid’s barriers to signing wing-backs?
Carvajal, 31, has broken down over time; Mendy, 27, is limited offensively. The club only has one pure back-up wing-back in the squad and he doesn’t play. What’s the plan?
Can Real Madrid bounce back from a crushing loss?
What Barcelona did to Real was just an extension of what other teams have been doing to them. What changes will the team make now?
Two key Clasico match-ups
Can Real Madrid play through the press? Can they get the better of Barcelona in transition?
Vinicius vs TAA is just around the corner
Some tactical notes on Vinicius Jr’s season and Liverpool’s defensive line
Fanshots
Most Recent
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The beginning of a new era believe it .
— bn naseer (@Dadymakoda3) June 1, 2021
Welcome back ancelotti and Pintus pic.twitter.com/9yJYlR0rfy -
Europe Ain't Ready pic.twitter.com/0zyqzp8yzK
— Trãm. B ❼ (@RMA_Tram) June 1, 2021 -
White since birth - with blue and orange stripes and details. It is a reminiscent of the shirt worn in 2010/11 campaign when the club won the Copa Del Rey!
— Trãm. B ❼ (@RMA_Tram) June 1, 2021
Faint pattern on the body represents the Plaza De Cibeles in Madrid. https://t.co/N3e0JJPvwj -
@05T__ Showing Pep Levels pic.twitter.com/ZLHo75PXim
— Trãm. B ❼ (@RMA_Tram) June 1, 2021