The Open Thread/Daily Merengue is a place where you can discuss anything and everything related to football. Feel free to discuss the topics presented here, or start your very own discussions! The Open thread will be posted every day by one of the mods you’d love to hang out with: Valyrian Steel, NeRObutBlanco, Kung_Fu_Zizou (AKA KFZ), Juninho and, of course… yours truly.
Real Madrid 0 – 1 Milan
Milan won against Real Madrid in the first game of the pre-season. As routine, the game was well covered: Immediate Reaction, Player Ratings and 3 Questions and 3 Answers articles.
Ancelotti has talked to the media in the post-match press conference. He was asked if he want the team to press high constantly. He replied:
Constantly no, because I don’t want it, because it is a high risk. I think we have to press when it’s time to press hard and I think we can do that, because in the back we are fast and strong in the 1vs1. We have to work on to press 1vs1 in the opponent’s half.
He also talked about the system, which the team started on 4-3-3 and changed it to 4-4-2:
We played 4-4-2 because there were no more midfielders, otherwise we would continue on 4-3-3. As I said in the other day, this team can play in 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. It doesn’t change our idea of the game; it only changes the defensive aspect, because with 4-3-3 you can have a more solid low block and with 4-4-3 you can press higher.
Kiyan asked where is Guler’s best position and if he can play deeper as Kroos did:
My question to Carlo Ancelotti tonight about Arda Güler, and his insightful answer. Can Güler play in a deeper role? What’s his best position? pic.twitter.com/o5ia7MizXy
— Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) August 1, 2024
Rodrygo arrived!
Now, next game is vs Barcelona, August 3rd.
