Open Thread — Dear Copa: 17 Dec. 2025
Welcome to The Daily Merengue, a hub for football discussion with unapologetic Real Madrid bias baked in—because it’s in the name.
A shout-out to the moderators who keep things running smoothly: Valyrian Steel, Ezek XI, KungFuZizou, NeRObutBlanco, Felipejack, and Juninho.
Author’s Note:
Notsogoodlawyer: Juni, weren’t you done with all this melancholy?
Juninho: …
Notsogoodlawyer: Then what brings you back?
Juninho: Twenty-five posts a day, right? MMers aren’t loyal to what they claim. Alt accounts weigh in with their takes. A new feature on the horizon. I’ve kept my foot on blue recs. I won’t hit the brakes. Walking with my hood up.
A Collection of Letters (Prelude)
“May these words eventually reach you.” — [censored]
Writer’s Prelude: This week will feature letters as we discuss Real Madrid. They may matter, or they may not. It is what it is. It reflects how I felt in those days.
Dear MM,
The next two letters will be brief.
Copa del Rey. It feels like yesterday we lost the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona after a brilliant two-goal start from Kylian Mbappé. Yet life moves on, and we head into a new Copa campaign alongside a new calendar year. The Copa is a competition that rarely matters when things are going well, but somehow becomes decisive when they aren’t. It can serve as a lifeline for managers and a catalyst for a season’s resilience. In some cases, it can spark future success (think Mourinho’s Cup triumph in 10/11). Let’s hope that logic applies here. If anyone has time to research: has a Real Madrid manager who only won the Copa ever been sacked soon after? I can’t recall a recent case (we don’t win it often, lol).
(note: I’m not the biggest fan of MadridXtra or MadridZone, but I’ll admit the MadridZone graphic designer has been outstanding this year).
Rotations: Given the above, I’m not sure we’ll see wholesale changes in today’s lineup. We’re dealing with a significant injury list, and several first-team players are out. However, the substitutions aren’t really Castilla-level either—these are legitimate Real Madrid Castilla players at times. I’d like to see a few tweaks with players like Gonzalo García. He could start next to Vinícius Jr. (who might use this match to rediscover his scoring form) and Rodrygo (if fit). Bobby’s inclusion would be nice, but with his January move to Lyon, getting him minutes isn’t crucial for Xabi, who risks his own job with a poor result tomorrow. I’m curious about Thiago Pitarch, though I’d be fine if he doesn’t start. Tomorrow might be Güler’s chance to regain favor with Ceballos and Tchou/Fede. Carreras at center-back could be worth trying (assuming the suspension for the weekend game still applies). Asencio at right-back again, and perhaps Dean gets a run if he’s available. Fran at left-back could be the painful-but-necessary option, though it might keep me awake. Valdés performed well last week, so perhaps a repeat with a cautious approach to avoid him getting injured against Sevilla.
Ultimately, given the team’s recent lack of cohesive high-level performances and the era of frequent lineup shuffles due to injuries, suspensions, and strategic choices, this could be a game to field the regulars (minus Mbappé) to build momentum and chemistry.
Press Conference. I’m not a fan of Xabi’s pressers—he’s clearly PR-trained, unlike some others who deliver more unpredictable, sometimes entertaining briefings. He’s always talking about intensity, unity, and togetherness. It feels a bit like a Y14 anime protagonist’s speech.
But a few quotes stand out:
Rodrygo and his “new” positioning seems more relevant against Alavés than Manchester City. It looks like a flexible 4-1-3-2 with Tchouaméni still at six, three midfielders in Arda, Jude, and Rodrygo, and Vinícius Jr. and Mbappé pushing as forwards. Rodrygo’s wide quality allows more freedom than the two traditional midfielders he’s paired with, which could be the compromise that keeps him engaged even on a less comfortable flank. Rodrygo has previously preferred a playmaking number 10 role, citing his strength in associative play over pure wingers. Still, I’m glad he’s enjoying a productive run of form.
Adaptation: The other notable bit concerns Xabi’s approach with the squad and player buy-in. It seems the players look more locked in than in earlier matches. Perhaps fear of Solari or Arbeloa’s era, or Bernabéu whistles, or board pressure to avoid backlash if Xabi is dismissed—and if results don’t improve, fans might target Florentino Pérez and the club’s leadership. Maybe Xabi is finally connecting with the group.
Who knows? I just wish Real Madrid continued to move forward. We’ve seen teams rebound from tough spells before (PSG last year, rumors about Luis Enrique). Why not us?
Cheers,
J
…Us
Notsogoodlawyer: So why did you come back?
Juninho: Because I’m in the thick of it. I’m a central piece, like a six in the lineup. I’m in the hall with Ezek. Quiet lurkers might call it bliss. I mix Madrid with Prada and don’t worry about what others think. Don’t push your luck with this stuff. Friends might clash if they trip. Notepads fill with new scripts. I might duck into the fray. I see nothing but Mou GIFs. It’s not one friend in this mess. I don’t care who you have pull with. Don’t test me. I’ve got a piece that fits, a jigsaw of Real’s dynamics. I move like a midfielder, collecting red cards when I speak, careful not to trip up. Val reminds me not to trip, but I’ve left my mind in the zip file. I truly lost my mind in this chaos.
Vinícius Júnior stans post daily. MMers talk but actions speak louder. Alt accounts argue about upcoming features. I’m still hooked on blue recommendations. I’m not hitting the brakes. Hood up, eyes forward.
“Don’t trip.” — I’ve been falling.
