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Managing Madrid

Dominating European football since March 6th 1902

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Managing Madrid Podcast: Is Vinicius Back To His Best? Was Franco Worth It? Who Is The GOAT? MAILBAG!

On this Members-only episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Lucas Navarrete discuss: CLICK HERE FOR ACCESS 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 […]

DISCUSSION: The Mathematical Explanation Behind Real Madrid’s Penalties

A lot of Barcelona fans come out full voice criticizing the amount of penalties Real Madrid has gotten this season. But, of course, should there really be any objection to these penalties? If opponents don’t want to have a penalty called against them, is it possible they should just…. stop fouling Real Madrid’s players in […]

Numbers Narrative: Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica

The new format of the UEFA Champions League offers something impossible in the previous format – three consecutive games against the same opponent. Real Madrid played Benfica in these games over the last few weeks, and finally the series is over, with Real Madrid making it to the round of 16, the difficult way, with […]

Managing Madrid Podcast | Madrid Mornings: Pedestrian win (vs Benfica, 2-1)

In this episode of Madrid Mornings, Lucas shares his thoughts on Real Madrid’s pedestrian victory over Benfica. CLICK HERE FOR ACCESS 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 […]

Player Ratings: Real Madrid 2 – 1 Benfica

Real Madrid booked their place in the next round with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Benfica at the Santiago Bernabéu. It wasn’t always comfortable, but individual quality — and timely interventions — made the difference. Starting XI Thibaut Courtois: 8Made four saves on the night, including one outrageous stop in the first half. Left completely […]

DANCING FLAG VICTORY | FEB 26, 2026

Welcome to The Daily Merengue — a place where you can feel free to discuss all things football. Do not be alarmed by the overt RMCF bias. It’s in the name! Shoutout to the Mods who do a fantastic job, Valyrian Steel, Ezek XI, KungFuZizou, NeRObutBlanco, Felipejack, and Juninho. DANCING FLAG Vini dances the team […]

Tchouameni: “We definitely need more consistency”

Aurélien Tchouaméni stepped up on a big European night at the Santiago Bernabéu, scoring and earning Man of the Match honors in Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Benfica. After the final whistle, the French midfielder spoke in the mixed zone about the importance of the victory, the team’s mentality, and several key topics surrounding the […]

Real Madrid Expel Fan After Nazi Salute Incident at the Bernabéu

In the buildup to Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Benfica, an incident in the stands prompted swift action from the club. Shortly before kickoff, television cameras captured a supporter in the Fan Stand section making a Nazi salute. The footage quickly circulated, and stadium security responded immediately. According to the club, personnel identified the […]

Álvaro Arbeloa: “Without Mbappé, Vini is even more important”

Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa spoke after his team’s 2-1 win against Benfica to reach the UEFA Champions League last 16 to highlight the role of Vinícius as he said, “I’m happy, because he did well and he deserves it, because of his form and how well he’s playing, and because without Mbappé, it’s even […]

Immediate Reaction: Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica

Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (Tchouaméni & Vinícius Júnior). Through to the next round… Here is the reaction to the uneventful win. Up next: Player ratings, interviews and a podcast. After the disgraceful scenes in the opening leg, a manager-less Benfica with one less controversial Argentinian would hopefully make for a quieter showing this time around. Still, there was […]

CONFIRMED lineups: Real Madrid vs Benfica, 2026 Champions League

Real Madrid have published their starting lineup for the upcoming match against Benfica in the return leg of the Champions League’s Round of 32. CONFIRMED LINEUPS Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Trent, Rüdiger, Asencio, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Valverde, Camavinga, Güler; Vinicius, Gonzalo. Benfica predicted XI: Trubin; Dedic, Otamendi, T. Araújo, Dahl; Aursnes, Barreiro; Lukébakio, Sudakov, Schjelderup; Pavlidis. […]

UEFA Rejects Benfica Appeal: Gianluca Prestianni Ruled Out of Second Leg at the Bernabéu

UEFA has officially rejected Benfica’s appeal regarding Gianluca Prestianni, confirming that the Argentine winger’s provisional suspension will remain in place. As a result, he will not feature in tonight’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. Benfica had attempted to overturn the precautionary suspension that was handed down following the first leg. […]

Real Madrid announce squad for Champions League match against Benfica

Real Madrid have published their squad list for today’s match against Benfica in the return leg of the Champions League’s Round of 32. REAL MADRID SQUAD:Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, and Fran González.Defenders: Carvajal, Alaba, Trent, Asencio, Á. Carreras, Fran García, Rüdiger, and Mendy.Midfielders: Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Arda Güler, Cestero, Manuel Ángel, Palacios, and Thiago.Forwards: Vini Jr., Gonzalo, Brahim, and Mastantuono. […]

Real Madrid vs Benfica, 2026 Champions League: Predicted lineups

Real Madrid host Benfica in the second leg of the Champions League’s Round of 32 and they will almost certainly do so without Kylian Mbappé, who is suffering from a sore knee. In his absence, Gonzalo García will likely start in the center of the attacking line. Real Madrid predicted XI: Courtois; Trent, Rüdiger, Asencio, […]

DANCING CORNER FLAG (PART II) | FEB 25, 2026

Welcome to The Daily Merengue — a place where you can feel free to discuss all things football. Do not be alarmed by the overt RMCF bias. It’s in the name! Shoutout to the Mods who do a fantastic job, Valyrian Steel, Ezek XI, KungFuZizou, NeRObutBlanco, Felipejack, and Juninho. SHOWTIME I hope Vini scores today […]

Managing Madrid Podcast: Real Madrid vs Benfica Preview, 2nd Leg, with RabonaTV

AUDIO: VIDEO: On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Adrian Sousa discuss: – Benfica’s disappointing reaction to everything that happened in the first leg against Real Madrid – Jose Mourinho skipping the pre-game press conference – The path to Real Madrid getting eliminated – The key Benfica’s attack – And more. […]

Dugarry: “At some point, we have to stop exaggerating Mbappe’s problems”

Christophe Dugarry has never been one to hold back — and his latest appearance on Rothen s’enflamme was no exception. The former France international launched into a critique of Real Madrid’s squad construction, pushing back against what he sees as an unfair narrative around Kylian Mbappé while simultaneously questioning whether several current players are truly […]

Gaizka Mendieta Says Arbeloa Has Changed The Narrative That Alonso Set

In an interview with AS USA, former Spanish international Gaizka Mendieta offered a sharp tactical and psychological analysis of Real Madrid’s current situation — from stylistic expectations under Xabi Alonso to Álvaro Arbeloa’s motivational approach and the unique pressure of coaching a superclub. “We’ve Never Seen Real Madrid Play Like That” Mendieta was blunt when […]

Javi García: “The pressure won’t affect Arbeloa”

Former Real Madrid and Benfica midfielder Javi García has given an expansive interview to AS, touching on his time in Madrid’s academy, his formative years at Benfica, Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence on his career, the Vinicius–Prestianni controversy, and even Álvaro Arbeloa’s role on the bench. “Only the Best Make It to Real Madrid” García began by […]

Mbappe out against Benfica with knee injury -report

Real Madrid attacker Kylian Mbappé is expected to miss Wednesday’s match against Benfica in the return leg of the Champions League’s Round of 32 with a knee injury, according to a report from L’Equipe. Mbappé had been playing through pain for quite some time, but today he wasn’t able to complete the training session with […]

Tralhao: “We prepared for the match without Mourinho on the bench”

On the eve of the clash between Real Madrid and Benfica, it was not José Mourinho who faced the press — but his assistant, João Tralhão. With Mourinho absent and tensions simmering following his sending-off in the first leg, Benfica’s press officer laid down a firm boundary before the press conference began: no questions about […]