OPEN THREAD | March 17, 2026

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Alvaro Arbeloa, Head Coach of Real Madrid, speaks to his team during a training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at City of Manchester Stadium on March 16, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Daily Merengue is 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 Kung_Fu_Zizou, Juninho, NeRObutBlanco, Felipejack, Ezek Ix and yours truly, Valyrian Steel.

Matchday!! Etihad awaits.​

It will be interesting to see which starting 11 Arbeloa goes with. Mbappe, Jude and Carreras are back in the squad list though Arbeloa clarified that Jude is still a few weeks away from making his return.

Manchester, we’re here! pic.twitter.com/JhWiGHzRJz

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) March 16, 2026

Spoke about this on the members' pod for @managingmadrid today: Madrid has a good chance, even a great chance to advance in the UCL. But make no mistake, City, Pep will do everything in their power to bring out the same energy and intensity as they did in the 4-0 win in 2023. One…

— Mehedi Hassan (@MHassanFootball) March 15, 2026

Kylian Mbappé feeling something in his knee during training at Etihad. @elchiringuitotv pic.twitter.com/S3CNWD2KgT

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) March 17, 2026

JUST IN: Álvaro Carreras is NOT expected to be fit enough to start vs Manchester City.

He’s targeting the match vs Atlético Madrid. @GuillermoRai_pic.twitter.com/NCWkMtPUtW

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 16, 2026

Asking the right questions.​

Unfortunately the response didn’t really address the query.

I asked Arbeloa about the possibility of keeping Fede in attacking zones when Mbappe and Jude come back. pic.twitter.com/sodhP4NdQn

— Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) March 16, 2026

"Valverde embodied what he said previously, that he will run until his legs explode. He covered for his teammates out of possession and provided Arnold and Carvajal with defensive support against one of the best wingers in the world. Additionally, he bossed the aerial duels… pic.twitter.com/80D0iDX9No

— Managing Madrid (@managingmadrid) March 15, 2026

Continue reading...