Real Madrid & Barcelona News

Chelsea manager Alonso insists Cole Palmer is committed to playing for England

Palmer pulled out of England squad due to injury Attacker available for Chelsea’s game with Bournemouth Xabi Alonso has said Cole Palmer is committed to playing for England and revealed Chelsea’s No 10 missed this international break with a problem related to the groin injury that kept him out for much of last season. Thomas Tuchel did not hide his disappointment with Palmer, who is fit to face Bournemouth on Saturday, after the attacker made himself unavailable for the start of his country’s Nations League campaign last month. Tuchel said the 24-year-old “misses too many opportunities” to play for England and questioned whether Palmer wanted to be part of the squad. Continue reading...

Modrić leaves future Real Madrid role undecided

Luka Modrić says he would be happy to help Real Madrid one day, but no future Real Madrid role or formal appointment has been confirmed. The post Modrić leaves future Real Madrid role undecided appeared first on Football España.

Daily Thread: 09 October 2026

The Daily Merengue is a place where you can feel free to d 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, Ezek, Valyrian Steel, Kung_Fu_Zizou, Juninho, NeRObutBlanco and yours truly, Felipejack. Mourinho’s comments It’s the first time in ten years that Real Madrid arrives in the half of October without a single injured player. The injured players are the ones who were injured last season: Militao, Rodrygo, Asencio and Mendy. It’s a good story, isn’t it? But you don’t like it. We need time to improve things. And there are things that can improve by making little changes, which we have done and we are doing. As coach I have to look for things to improve that are under our control and we are doing. I am not going to specify what we are doing. And a lot of people without the clinical eye won’t be able to see what we tried to do. But tomorrow we are going to try to do these small fixes. When a Real Madrid players does not fullfill his obligations as a player or as citizen, he won’t be even on the bench; he will be at home. Mbappe will play tomorrow, so I am certain his has not fail to Real Madrid and with his obligations. The squad for the game Only Rudiger and Konate are the available CBs… 🚨 SQUAD FOR VILLARREAL! Valverde! ✅ pic.twitter.com/DRhsx4zW5p — Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) October 9, 2026

Real Madrid announce squad for La Liga match against Villarreal

Real Madrid have published their squad list for Saturday’s match against Villarreal, the first game after the FIFA break. REAL MADRID SQUAD LIST: Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, and Sergio Mestre. Defenders: Trent, Konaté, Cucurella, Á. Carreras, Rüdiger, and Dumfries. Midfielders: Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Arda Güler, Bernardo, and Thiago. Forwards: Vini Jr., Endrick, Mbappé, C. Espí, Brahim, and Yan Diomande. Valverde, Konaté and Mbappé all made the list even though they were ‘questionable’ during the week. Whether or not they will feature in the starting lineup remains to be seen, but Real Madrid will likely need them if they want to earn the three points on Saturday. HOW TO WATCH, STREAM LA LIGA Date: 10/10/2026 Time: 21:00 CEST, 03:00pm EST. Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain. Available TV: DAZN La Liga (Spain), ESPN Deportes (USA). Available Streaming: ESPN+ (USA)

Maresca says Manchester City titles ‘absolutely not’ tainted; Mourinho defends Mbappé – live

⚽ All the latest football news heading into the weekend ⚽ Ten things to look out for | Read Football Daily | Mail Rob Football Weekly: You can watch/listen to the pod squad discuss Sunday’s clash between Liverpool and Manchester City, plus much more, in the latest episode. A reminder that Enzo Maresca will face the media in 20 minutes’ time at the Etihad Campus in Manchester. You can follow the press conference live here. Continue reading...

Mourinho calls criticism of Mbappe 'ridiculous'

Jose Mourinho defends Kylian Mbappe who has been scrutinised during the international break.

Real seek McTominay move - Friday's gossip

Real Madrid are interested in former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay and France forward Michael Olise, while Chelsea are keen on Frenkie de Jong.

Mbappé set to be ready to face Villarreal -report

Real Madrid are taking a cautious approach with Kylian Mbappé’s recovery from the knee injury he picked up during the FIFA break but the French striker will almost surely be available to face Villarreal this Saturday, according to a report published today on MARCA. That doesn’t mean that the Frenchman will start, though. Real Madrid will play a tough away game against Roma next week and Mourinho could decide to keep Mbappé fresh for the European match. Still, it seems clear that the French star will be more than ready for El Clásico later this month, which was always the main priority right after he was diagnosed with the hyper-extended knee.

Militao, Konaté complete Tuesday’s training session with Real Madrid’s squad

Real Madrid defenders Ibrahima Konaté and Eder Militao rejoined the squad in training this Tuesday and were able to complete the session with the group, meaning that both of them could be available to face Villarreal next Saturday. Needless to say, Militao will need extra time to improve his conditioning before he can actually feature in the starting lineup. He missed the entire preseason stage with his injury and Mourinho and the rest of the coaching staff will need to make sure that he’s 100% ready to play. On the other hand, Konaté could very well start against Villarreal if he keeps training with the group during the rest of the week.

Mbappé’s Villarreal Target Depends on Knee Recovery

Mbappé knee recovery has progressed at Real Madrid, but individual training does not confirm he will face Villarreal this Saturday. The post Mbappé’s Villarreal Target Depends on Knee Recovery appeared first on Football España.

Jude awakening: how a more fluid England are ‘unlocking’ Bellingham’s full potential

Assistant coach Anthony Barry says new structure means their key attackers are not ‘caged in’ after 7-0 rout of Croatia Anthony Barry knows the hunt is on. The England assistant coach has been through the debriefs. He has mulled over the minutiae with Thomas Tuchel to such an extent he is allowed to make a joke at the boss’s expense. “He’s doing my head in,” Barry says with a smile. What is the missing piece of the puzzle? After all the emotion of England’s semi-final finish at the World Cup, how can they take the decisive step to glory? It is early days in the Nations League campaign, which everybody at the Football Association wants to use as a slingshot into Euro 2028 when England will co-host, but Barry can see the genesis of an answer. It comes down to liberation, enabling England’s top players to fully express themselves, and there is a reason why he finds himself talking about Jude Bellingham. Continue reading...

Bellingham unlocks new level and potential to be 'one of the greatest'

Jude Bellingham's international future was being called into question a year ago, but now he is regarded as potentially one of England's "greatest of all time".

Keane: Bellingham can become one of greatest players ever

England and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham can become one of the world's greatest ever players, according to Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane.

Konaté won’t be available against Villarreal -report

Real Madrid defender Ibrahima Konaté will not recover in time for next weekend’s match against Villarreal, the first game after the FIFA break. Konaté suffered a knee sprain during France’s training camp and while he escaped a major injury and he could be ready for El Clásico later this month, he will need some more time to properly recover from that physical problem. With Dean Huijsen also unavailable due to the red card he saw against Atlético de Madrid, Antonio Rüdiger will be Real Madrid’s only center-back ready to face Villarreal. In that context, Tchouameni will be expected to play alongside him, although Mourinho could also start Dumfries, Carreras or a Castilla player like Joan Martínez. Martínez played at a very high level during this summer’s preseason games, but Villarreal are a tough opponent and Real Madrid will likely rely on a more experienced player like Tchouameni for that role.

Drury: From Bernabeu glory to plotting Huddersfield's way out of League One

"No. In truth, it wasn't."

UEFA confirms Real Madrid complaint as Negreira probe continues

UEFA confirms it received Real Madrid’s complaint as the Negreira investigation continues, while the club urges a swift conclusion and decisions. The post UEFA confirms Real Madrid complaint as Negreira probe continues appeared first on Football España.

Real Madrid keen on Quansah - Friday's gossip

Real Madrid are keen on Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah, Liverpool are monitoring Club Tijuana's teenage midfielder Giberto Mora, plus more.

OFFICIAL: Asencio undergoes surgery to repair tibia fracture

Real Madrid have published a new medical report on Raúl Asencio, who underwent surgery today. Our player Raúl Asencio successfully underwent surgery today performed by Dr. Manuel Leyes for a stress fracture in his right tibia. The operation was supervised by Real Madrid’s Medical Services. Asencio will begin his recovery process in the coming days. Source: Realmadrid.com Coach José Mourinho visited the player after surgery, the club announced on its official website. Asencio will be out around four months while he rehabs from this process. The Spanish defender had been playing through pain all second half of last season. Real Madrid’s depth for the defensive line will be in jeopardy now that both Huijsen (suspension) and Konaté (injury) are also out.

Ranking the best British football exports this century

From David Beckham and Gareth Bale to Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, who are the best British exports this century?

Asencio surgery leaves Real Madrid with one centre-back

Asencio surgery could keep the Real Madrid defender out for up to four months, leaving Antonio Rüdiger as the only available centre-back. The post Asencio surgery leaves Real Madrid with one centre-back appeared first on Football España.

La Fábrica’s €215m return is helping fund Real Madrid’s rebuild

Real Madrid academy sales generated around €215m, funding the rebuild while raising questions over La Fábrica’s path to the first team. The post La Fábrica’s €215m return is helping fund Real Madrid’s rebuild appeared first on Football España.

Butragueño attended the centenary of Alfredo Di Stéfano’s birth in Buenos Aires

Argentine-born Spanish footballer Alfredo Di Stefano (1926 - 2014) during training with the Spanish national team at Roehampton, London, ahead of an international friendly match against England at Wembley, on October 25th, 1960. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images A tribute marking the centenary of Alfredo Di Stéfano’s birth took place in his hometown of Buenos Aires. Real Madrid was represented by its Director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueño, while the Blonde Arrow’s daughter Silvana and sister Norma Di Stéfano were also in attendance. The ceremony included the unveiling of a plaque at Padre Marcelino Champagnat Square. The square occupies the former Club del Plata pitch, where Di Stéfano first began playing football. The plaque bears the inscription: “On this ground, Alfredo Di Stéfano, one of the greatest figures in world sport, began playing football.” “Di Stéfano represents all the values of our institution. His DNA was fundamental in building that mythical and legendary Real Madrid that won the first five European Cups. It is impossible to understand the history of Real Madrid without Di Stéfano,” Butragueño said, addressing those gathered. Real Madrid published the brief details of the event in their official website.

Man Utd & Arsenal eye Porto's Costa - Tuesday's gossip

Arsenal and Manchester United eye Porto defender Alberto Costa, Manchester City will not let Erling Haaland leave on the cheap if they are relegated, Liverpool retain an interest in Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, plus more.

Como Starter Jacobo Ramón Chooses Minutes Over Real Madrid Return

Jacobo Ramón is prioritising regular minutes at Como over a return to Real Madrid, despite retained rights and interest from Premier League clubs. The post Como Starter Jacobo Ramón Chooses Minutes Over Real Madrid Return appeared first on Football España.

Tuchel: Bellingham is better when he plays with a 'bit of rage'

Thomas Tuchel believes a "bit of rage" gets the best out of Jude Bellingham as the England star and his team-mates prepare to face the Czech Republic.

Jacobo Ramón not considering Real Madrid return -report

Como defender Jacobo Ramón has established himself as a quality center-back just after leaving Real Madrid for €2.5 million in the summer of 2025. While Los Blancos keep 50% of his rights and could trigger an option to bring him back, Ramón is not even considering said return for now, according to a report published on AS, given that he wants to keep playing relevant minutes on a consistent basis. Jacobo Ramón was one of Real Madrid’s options for the fourth center-back spot this past summer, but the Spanish defender prioritized his current role with Como and ultimately decided to stay in the Serie A to keep polishing his game. Real Madrid will keep monitoring Ramón’s performances with Como and so will other clubs like Arsenal or Chelsea, who have been intrigued by the quality and potential he’s displayed in recent months, per that same report.

Gateshead’s fruitless trip south offers hint of Manchester City’s doomsday future

His team bottom of the National League, Lee Cattermole’s ‘bomb squad’ approach could well end with him departing Among many doomsday scenarios facing Manchester City is plunging down the football pyramid. Would that be so bad? Instead of yawning at the prospect of yet another meeting with Real Madrid or repeated Aviva train-hampered journeys to Wembley, how about the exoticism of away travel to Wealdstone? In the National League, City’s ownership may wish to know, there are no formal financial fair play or strict salary cap regulations. Wrexham, Notts County and Chesterfield have taken advantage of such lax constraints to regenerate. For City fans, Ruislip’s buzzy high street, full of nail bars, estate agents and a couple of homely pubs, would represent a welcome world away from Milan’s Via Monte Napoleone, as would the suburbia of Grosvenor Vale, Wealdstone’s home in the middle of a housing estate, which may jog memories of late-90s visits to Macclesfield and Lincoln. Simpler, happier times, perhaps. Continue reading...

Real Madrid’s Midfield Woes Resurface After Atlético Loss

Real Madrid face renewed scrutiny over their midfield and attack after the Atlético defeat, with Mourinho given the international break to respond. The post Real Madrid’s Midfield Woes Resurface After Atlético Loss appeared first on Football España.

The issues Mourinho is struggling to fix at Real

Jose Mourinho only returned to Real Madrid in July but a lot needs to improve in order for there to be a title race in La Liga.

INT’L BREAK | OPEN THREAD | SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

Welcome to The Daily Merengue! THESE ARE YOUR MODS: Ezek XI, Valyrian Steel, KungFuZizou, NeRObutBlanco, Felipejack, and Juninho INT’L BREAK It’s breaking our players…please stop. Players need to protest for change to happen or keep dropping like flies. MBAPPE’S INJURY 🚨💣 Zinedine Zidane: “Kylian Mbappé’s injury is NOT looking good. He will have to RETURN to Madrid.” pic.twitter.com/m0e1PczB7f — Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) September 25, 2026

A Decade of Clips Fuels Real Madrid’s Clash With Juanma Castaño

A Real Madrid video revisits a decade of Juanma Castaño’s on-air comments after his row with the club’s television channel, and he answers back. The post A Decade of Clips Fuels Real Madrid’s Clash With Juanma Castaño appeared first on Football España.

Castaño stands firm as Real Madrid video escalates row

Juanma Castaño says he will not change his approach after Real Madrid used a video to attack his commentary and work on El Partidazo. The post Castaño stands firm as Real Madrid video escalates row appeared first on Football España.

Chelsea lead race for Scott - Friday's gossip

Chelsea target Bournemouth's Alex Scott, Bayern Munich are interested in Dani Olmo and Jude Bellingham denies Manchester City interest.

How Mbappe almost ended up at Liverpool! France forward reveals talks with Klopp

Speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, Kylian Mbappé opens up on Liverpool talks, his conversations with Jürgen Klopp and why his mother wanted him to move to Anfield. Full interview now available on the The Athletic FC Podcast.

Valverde to miss Uruguay duty after Real Madrid derby injury

Fede Valverde injury will keep the Real Madrid midfielder out of Uruguay's upcoming matches after a confirmed grade-three ankle sprain. The post Valverde to miss Uruguay duty after Real Madrid derby injury appeared first on Football España.

Real Madrid say La Liga needs new leadership after Tebas row

Real Madrid call for Javier Tebas removal, saying La Liga needs neutral leadership after a bitter dispute over refereeing in the Atlético derby. The post Real Madrid say La Liga needs new leadership after Tebas row appeared first on Football España.

Mbappé Shifts Focus From Derby Officials to Real Madrid’s Response

Mbappé derby comments: Real Madrid forward acknowledges officiating mistakes but urges the team to focus on effort, trophies and the season ahead. The post Mbappé Shifts Focus From Derby Officials to Real Madrid’s Response appeared first on Football España.

La Liga president says Real Madrid conspiracy claims are ‘in another galaxy’

‘The competition belongs to no one,’ says Javier Tebas President hits out after Mourinho’s reaction to derby loss La Liga’s president, Javier Tebas, hit out on Tuesday at what he deemed accusations of a refereeing “conspiracy” by Real Madrid after their derby defeat against Atlético Madrid. Real Madrid’s coach, José Mourinho, brought two printed screenshots of what he thought were red-card tackles committed by Atéltico players to his post-match press conference after the 2-1 defeat on Sunday. Continue reading...

VAR audio details why Romero was booked and Huijsen sent off

VAR audio from the Atlético-Real Madrid derby explains Romero’s booking reversal, Huijsen’s red card and why the penalty award was upheld. The post VAR audio details why Romero was booked and Huijsen sent off appeared first on Football España.

'In another galaxy' - La Liga chief dismisses Real's ref conspiracy claims

La Liga president Javier Tebas says claiming there is a refereeing conspiracy against Real Madrid is like "living in another galaxy".

OFFICIAL: Valverde injury report

Real Madrid have publish a definitive injury report on midfielder Fede Valverde, who suffered a sprained ankle during Sunday’s Madrid Derbi against Atlético de Madrid. After the tests carried out today on our player Fede Valverde by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a grade 3 sprain in his left ankle. Pending evolution. Source: Realmadrid.com Valverde is expected to rejoin the squad in around two weeks and he should be able to face Villarreal in the first game after the current FIFA break, according to reports from the Spanish press. He will not play in Uruguay’s upcoming games and will stay in Valdebebas recovering from this injury sustained after a violent tackle from Kang In Lee.

Mourinho printer post deepens Atlético-Real Madrid referee row

Atlético Madrid answers Real Madrid’s referee row with a Mourinho-themed printer video and a call to end alleged harassment after the derby. The post Mourinho printer post deepens Atlético-Real Madrid referee row appeared first on Football España.

PLAY THE CHILDREN | OPEN THREAD | SEPTEMBER 22, 2026

Welcome to The Daily Merengue! THESE ARE YOUR MODS: Ezek XI, Valyrian Steel, KungFuZizou, NeRObutBlanco, Felipejack, and Juninho LET THE KIDS HAVE A RUN It’s going on 3 years now where we see the poor attitude of our players. It’s high time we give the game time to the hungry, starving children from our castilla. I don’t care anymore about the potential fallout. LIMITATIONS A “wise” coach once said “It’s my job to tell the players what to do, and if they don’t do it, it’s because I didn’t explain it well, so it’s my fault” – Alvaro Arbeloa. THAT COULDN’T BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. If your players are limited, they’re limited. Accept it and tactically work around it to compensate or purchase a player of a higher capacity to fill the role/task. Fede & Tchouameni aren’t working well in the 4-2-3-1, Fede is hardly noticeable. He seems to excel everywhere else except in midfield. Outside of his work rate, speed and power shot, he offers next to nothing for our play going forward. Tchouameni too has hardly maintained any kind of consistency, despite being given endless playing time.

Atletico hit back at Mourinho for ref criticism after derby defeat

Atletico Madrid have hit back at Real Madrid's criticism of the referring decisions during the derby on Sunday.

Therapy Session: 21 Sept. 2026

MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid looks on before the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Real Madrid and Malaga CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 30, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images 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. Writer’s Prelude. We’ll keep today short. Apologies for the delay there was some confusion on my end with the scheduling. Expect regular DT programming from me starting tomorrow. A Therapy Session Not sure what’s happening on or off the pitch this season for Real Madrid and even us as fans. Just opening this section as a therapy session in case MM fans need it. Cheers, J

Top 10 players: Atlético Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 20: Lee Kang-In of Atletico Madrid is challenged by Marc Cucurella of Real Madrid during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on September 20, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images) | Getty Images Atlético supplied nine of the top 10 players for xT created from open-play passes. Lee Kang-In generated 0.369 xT from open-play passes, more than any other player. Dávid Hancko played 18 progressive passes, more than any other player. Real Madrid supplied six of the leading 10 players for defensive actions. Marc Cucurella recorded 14 defensive actions, more than any other player. Kylian Mbappé made seven progressive carries, more than any other player. Yan Diomande contributed seven take-ons, the highest figure in the match. He recorded 19 touches in the final third, joint seventh in the match. Alongside that, he added zero key passes, joint 13th in the match. Jude Bellingham contributed three key passes, the joint-highest figure in the match. He had 13 defensive actions, second in the match. He added four take-ons, fourth in the match. Those contributions came over 81 minutes for Real Madrid. Dávid Hancko contributed 18 progressive passes, the highest figure in the match. He also recorded 0.314 xT from open-play passes, second in the match. He added 80 touches, second in the match.

Furious Mourinho holds up pictures of ref 'errors' after Madrid derby defeat

Jose Mourinho held up pictures of two tackles to the media in his post-match news conference after Real Madrid's 2-1 La Liga defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Immediate Reaction: Atlético Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid

Atlético Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid (Rüdiger). A bad defeat in the derby… Here is my reaction to the loss. Still to come: Player ratings, Mourinho quotes and a derby podcast. Real Betis were the only stain on an otherwise positive start to life back at the Bernabéu front José Mourinho. Atletico Madrid would be his strongest challenge yet. There were no surprises in the line-up, with Yan Diomancde returning to the bench alongside names like Eduardo Camavinga and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Fede Valverde captained the team. 📋✅ Our starting XI! 🆚 @atletienglish pic.twitter.com/bozQCB1kex — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) September 20, 2026 The first-half was predictably cagey, with few chances being created and no real action to note down. Vinicíus Júnior and his questionable form continued to curse the minds of every Madridista, but they at least made it to half-time with no real upsets. Atletico are attacking the right flank over and over again and Cucurella has zero help defensively. Just trying to put out fires. Huijsen has been very good covering the left half space if anything gets there but that whole situation has to be addressed at half-time. — Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) September 20, 2026 The same could not be said about the second-half, as Dean Huijsen gave away a penalty and saw himself sent off – effectively hitting three nails into the Real Madrid coffin as Atlético scored from the spot. Minutes later it was two, as Jonathan David hit the roof of the net to sink Los Blancos. With ten men, they struggled to pull back any sort of momentum. Antonio Rüdiger did grab a goal late on, b it it was never going to be enough. Full-time, 2-1 to Atlético Madrid – who hand Real Madrid their second defeat of the campaign at the mid-September mark. What do you think about this result?

Mourinho and Simeone renew rivalry in Madrid derby after more than a decade

Jose Mourinho and Diego Simeone renew their rivalry after a 12-year wait as Real Madrid visit Atletico Madrid in Sunday's Spanish capital derby.

Zidane’s next move as France coach may reveal the wizard behind the curtain | Jonathan Wilson

It is apt that the most perplexing football country will now be guided by the most enigmatic of leaders Even in his playing days, Zinedine Zidane seemed unknowable. As a manager, the sense of distance has only grown. He won three Champions Leagues with Real Madrid without ever giving a sense of what his idea of football looked like. France are perhaps the most perplexing football country: a squad that teems with such talent that a B team would be serious contenders at a World Cup, that reached three major finals under Didier Deschamps with a sense of unfulfilment, a team that progressed but rarely entranced, or at least didn’t until this summer’s World Cup, when they attacked with gusto and ended up overrun in midfield by Spain. Continue reading...

Real Madrid announce squad for La Liga match against Atlético de Madrid

Real Madrid have published their squad list for Sunday’s Madrid Derbi against Atlético de Madrid. REAL MADRID SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, and Sergio Mestre. Defenders: Asencio, Huijsen, Trent, Konaté, Cucurella, Á. Carreras, Rüdiger, and Dumfries. Midfielders: Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Arda Güler, Bernardo, and Thiago. Forwards: Vini Jr., Endrick, Mbappé, C. Espí, Brahim, and Yan Diomande. No big news on Real Madrid’s squad list, with Militao, Rodrygo and Mendy still out due to injury. Mourinho will be able to use most of the depth at his disposal in what’s expected to be a physical Derbi against Simeone’s squad. HOW TO WATCH, STREAM LA LIGA Date: 09/20/2026 Time: 16:15 CEST, 10:15am EST. Venue: Estadio Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain. Available TV: DAZN La Liga (Spain), ESPN Deportes (USA). Available Streaming: ESPN+ (USA)

'Bullied' and 'out of control' - Chelsea's defensive issues laid bare

"You need to feel it. We're not feeling it," said Xabi Alonso after Chelsea's 3-0 loss at Brentford. Yet Chelsea are stuck in a familiar feeling.

Case not proven: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s England recall is based on patchy evidence

Thomas Tuchel promises to play the full-back in his natural right-sided position but we have not seen enough of him this term to gauge his form Thomas Tuchel said Trent Alexander Arnold had enjoyed a good start to the season, which came as news to those in England who have not been watching him at Real Madrid. It also, in truth, came as news to those in Spain who have. If the England manager did not see enough in Alexander-Arnold to include him in the World Cup in the summer he has not really had the chance to see enough to change that decision as autumn begins. Two unremarkable league starts provide insufficient evidence with which to make a case for the full-back’s recall, or indeed his exclusion, but he is in the squad. Alexander-Arnold’s most high-profile match this season has been against Inter at the Santiago Bernabéu. That night, he started from the middle of midfield. At the pre-match press conference, José Mourinho had refused to answer a direct and apparently well-informed question about employing the right-back in midfield, given the absence through injury or suspension of Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, Bernardo Silva, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Thiago Pitarch, as well as his determined conclusion that Jude Bellingham is better used further up. Continue reading...

Referee named for Madrid Derbi between Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid

The Spanish Football Federation have appointed referee Ortiz Arias as the man in charge of Sunday’s Madrid Derbi between José Mourinho’s Real Madrid and Diego Simeone’s Atlético de Madrid. This will mark the first time a Madrid-born referee officiates a Derbi. This historic appointment follows the CTA’s decision last season to abolish the territoriality rule, which had for years prevented officials from the same regional federation as one of the teams from presiding over their games. Ortiz Arias has never been in charge of a Real Madrid game before. HOW TO WATCH, STREAM LA LIGA Date: 09/20/2026 Time: 16:15 CEST, 10:15am EST. Venue: Estadio Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain. Available TV: DAZN La Liga (Spain), ESPN Deportes (USA). Available Streaming: ESPN+ (USA) View this post on Instagram

Huijsen, Cucurella make Spain’s squad list

Real Madrid defenders Dean Huijsen and Marc Cucurella made Luis de la Fuente’s list for the upcoming FIFA break, where the Spanish national team will face England, Croatia (twice) and Czech Republic. Huijsen’s return is notable, given that he wasn’t included in Spain’s list for the FIFA World Cup. However, the young defender has been playing at a very high level since the 2026-27 season started, so his presence in this current list makes sense for Spain. On the other hand, Cucurella is an undisputed starter on the left flank. While he’s yet to make a big impact for Real Madrid, it’s very clear that he’s ahead of everyone else in the left-back spot.

Junior Kroupi on Arsenal radar - Friday's gossip

Arsenal are eyeing Bournemouth youngster Eli Junior Kroupi, Real Madrid are considering a move for Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, Chelsea are interested in Nico Williams, plus more.

Euro Leagues

Is JJ Gabriel set for Real Madrid? And former Gunners Aubameyang & Jesus keep scoring!

Alonso: Chelsea didn't need a reset - they just needed an update

Xabi Alonso says Chelsea were in need of "an update" rather than a full reset when he was appointed manager this summer.

Mbappe, Vini and Konate cover up Real's message of support for Ceuta

Vini Jnr, Mbappe and Konate cover up Ceuta message of support ahead of Real Madrid's match against Elche.

The set-pieces: Elche 2-3 Real Madrid

ELCHE, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid with the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Elche CF and Real Madrid at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on September 15, 2026 in Elche, Spain. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Getty Images) | Getty Images Real Madrid created the greater set-piece threat, generating 0.23 npxG compared to Elche, who virtually created no threat from set-pieces in this game. Neither side found the net from dead-ball situations. Elche had three attacking free kicks and two corners, but none produced a shot. Two deliveries from Elche were sent centrally, their most frequent delivery location. While chasing the game, Elche had three attacking restarts, producing zero shots. Real Madrid had nine attacking free kicks and five corners, producing five shots. Set-pieces supplied 0.23 of their 2.82 npxG for the match. Two attempts came after the initial contact, while three came in the first phase. Trent Alexander-Arnold made four deliveries, three of which led to a shot. From Madrid’s side, five deliveries were sent centrally, their most frequent delivery location. Arda Güler supplied two of their five attempts. With the scores level, Real Madrid had five attacking restarts, producing two shots. Their set-piece shooting return was two attempts before the interval and three in the second half.

Top 10 players: Elche 2-3 Real Madrid

ELCHE, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Yan Diomande of Real Madrid reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Elche CF and Real Madrid at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on September 15, 2026 in Elche, Spain. (Photo by Omar Arnau/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) | Getty Images Elche had seven of the leading 10 players for progressive carries. Federico Redondo made eight progressive carries. Víctor Chust played 23 progressive passes, more than any other player. Real Madrid supplied eight of the leading 10 players for completed take-ons. Yan Diomande completed nine take-ons, more than any other player. Arda Güler created three shooting chances, the joint-highest figure in the match. Arda Güler made three key passes, the joint-highest figure in the match. He also recorded three take-ons, joint third in the match. Alongside that, he added a pass completion rate of 96.2%, third in the match. Those contributions came over 67 minutes for Real Madrid. Yan Diomande contributed 0.504 xT from open-play passes, the highest figure in the match. He made 11 progressive carries, the highest figure in the match. He added three key passes, the joint-highest figure in the match. Kylian Mbappé made three key passes, the joint-highest figure in the match. He also recorded 42 touches in the final third, the highest figure in the match. He added 0.378 xT from open-play passes, the second-highest figure in the match.

It’s Matchday | Sept 15th, 2026

Real Madrid's English midfielder #05 Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring his team's third goal with Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #07 Vinicius Junior during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on September 12, 2026. (Photo by Oscar DEL POZO / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via 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, Ezek, Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, Juninho, NeRObutBlanco and yours truly, Kung_Fu_Zizou The Adaptable Mou José has laid bare his intentions to rotate, adjust and adapt. The squad will need to be ready for the second half of the season and Mourinho will not want players coming in cold. It’s Matchday 🚨 SQUAD FOR ELCHE. pic.twitter.com/gqFuxgYUn0 — Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) September 14, 2026 Real Madrid have won 3 of the 4 La Liga games so far this season. Mourinho is still learning his players and building a cohesive unit. This game presents another chance for Real Madrid to pick up three points as they get acclimatised to their new boss’s demands and expectations. It is unlikely we will learn much these games outside of the persistent problems carried over from the last two seasons. The Derbi and El clasico will show a clearer picture of where the team is and how far we still need to travel. View this post on Instagram

Real Madrid announce squad for La Liga match against Elche

Real Madrid have published their squad list for Tuesday’s match against Elche in La Liga. While this game is expected to be a manageable one for Los Blancos, it will also be crucial to not only get the three points but gain some confidence and momentum ahead of Sunday’s Madrid Derbi. REAL MADRID SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, and Sergio Mestre. Defenders: Asencio, Huijsen, Trent, Konaté, Cucurella, Á. Carreras, Rüdiger, and Dumfries. Midfielders: Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Arda Güler, Bernardo, and Thiago. Forwards: Vini Jr., Endrick, Mbappé, C. Espí, Brahim, and Yan Diomande. HOW TO WATCH, STREAM LA LIGA Date: 09/15/2026 Time: 21:30 CEST, 03:30pm EST. Venue: Martinez Valero Stadium, Elche, Spain. Available TV: DAZN La Liga (Spain), ESPN Deportes (USA). Available Streaming: ESPN+ (USA)

The set-pieces: Real Madrid 4-1 Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid's Dutch defender #24 Denzel Dumfries (L) heads the ball during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on September 12, 2026. (Photo by Oscar DEL POZO / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Real Madrid created the greater set-piece threat, generating 0.29 npxG to Rayo Vallecano’s 0.03, but neither side found the net from these situations. Real Madrid had 11 corners and three attacking free kicks, producing six shots from six restarts. Set pieces supplied 0.29 of their 1.92 npxG for the match. Five attempts came after the initial contact, while one came in the first phase. Rayo Vallecano reached five of the 14 tracked deliveries first; Real Madrid won the initial touch on the remaining nine. In the aerial contests at first contact, Real Madrid won two of three. For Madrid, seven deliveries were sent centrally, their most frequent delivery location. Federico Valverde supplied one of their six attempts. Their set-piece shooting return was two attempts before the interval and four in the second half. Rayo Vallecano had five corners and one attacking free kick, producing one shot from one restart. Set pieces supplied 0.03 of their 1.22 npxG for the match. The danger came entirely after the first touch: every attempt was a follow-up, with none coming straight from the delivery. Real Madrid reached four of the six tracked deliveries first; Rayo Vallecano won the initial touch on the remaining two. In the aerial contests at first contact, Rayo Vallecano won zero of one. For Rayo, two deliveries were sent centrally, one of their most frequent delivery locations. Álvaro García had their only attempt. While chasing the game, Rayo Vallecano had six attacking restarts, producing one shot. Their set-piece shooting return was one attempt before the interval and zero in the second half.

Top 10 players: Real Madrid 4-1 Rayo Vallecano

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 12: Arda Guler player of Real Madrid in action during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 12, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Maria Jimenez/Real Madrid via Getty Images) | Real Madrid via Getty Images Real Madrid supplied seven of the leading 10 players for progressive carries. Vinícius Júnior made 13 progressive carries, more than any other player. Álvaro Carreras played 27 progressive passes, more than any other player. Rayo Vallecano supplied six of the leading 10 players for progressive passes. Adrià Pedrosa played 15 progressive passes. Andrei Ratiu had 36 touches in the final third, more than any other player. Andrei Ratiu had 36 touches in the final third, the highest figure in the match. He recorded 11 progressive carries, second in the match. He added 11 defensive actions, third in the match. Arda Güler contributed five key passes, the highest figure in the match. He also recorded 0.305 xT from open-play passes, second in the match. Alongside that, he added 20 touches in the final third, sixth in the match. Those contributions came over 24 minutes for Real Madrid. Vinícius had 13 progressive carries, the highest figure in the match. He registered 35 touches in the final third, second in the match. He also added 0.248 xT from open-play passes, third in the match.

Alonso: Benzema-like Joao Pedro is on same level as Haaland

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Like Benzema & as good as Haaland - Alonso on Joao Pedro

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says striker Joao Pedro is similar stylistically to his former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema and is at a comparable level to Manchester City's Erling Haaland.

Dictator meme shows lack of human awareness - Mbappe

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Real Madrid announce squad for La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid have published their squad list for Saturday’s match against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga. REAL MADRID SQUAD LIST: Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, and Sergio Mestre. Defenders: Asencio, Huijsen, Trent, Konaté, Cucurella, Á. Carreras, Rüdiger, and Dumfries. Midfielders: Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Arda Güler, Bernardo, and Thiago. Forwards: Vini Jr., Endrick, Mbappé, C. Espí, Brahim, and Yan Diomande. Asencio makes the list and will be available, with Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Güler also back and expected to play. Mourinho could use this game to make some rotations and it could very well be Diomande’s first start for Real Madrid. HOW TO WATCH, STREAM LA LIGA Date: 09/12/2026 Time: 21:00 CEST, 03:00pm EST. Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain. Available TV: DAZN La Liga (Spain), ESPN Deportes (USA). Available Streaming: ESPN+ (USA) Managing Madrid has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.

Champions League opening data shows English dominance and too few shocks

The numbers from the first round of the league phase point to Italian teams struggling even if Inter impressed in defeat at Real Madrid The 2026-27 Champions League is under way. There are still 126 matches to play until we know which 24 teams will feature in the knockout phase but that doesn’t mean we haven’t learned anything yet. Here are the key data talking-points from week one. Continue reading...

Mourinho compares Mbappe and Vini Jr to fruit trees after boos

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho says fans "want a piece" of star duo Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr after they were booed by supporters this week.

Chelsea and Real Madrid keen on Arsenal's Zubimendi - Friday's gossip

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Huijsen: “We need to compete a little bit better”

Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen talked to the media after the team’s narrow victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League opener and addressed some of the team’s issues over the last few games. “I don’t think there was a problem with the game. We created a lot of chances and in the end, by not scoring them, the match got a little crazy. We have to have more control,” he said. When asked about the team’s mindset throughout the game, he explained why he thinks Real Madrid need to compete better. “We have to compete a little better. You see the opponents, they get fouled and they roll around three times, they complain, and in the end, you’re the one who gets the yellow card. We gotta improve on that, ultimately soccer is about emotions, for the referee too,” he added. Huijsen wrapped up his brief media availability by discussing how his game has changed this season. “I don’t meditate or anything like that. In the end, when you first arrive, you don’t really know the magnitude of the club. Now, even though there’s always new stuff, I’m more used to it, I feel more at home. My career has been pretty hectic. Now I’m good, just gotta keep working,” he added.

Mac Allister at Centre of Reported Real Madrid Swap Idea

A reported Mac Allister swap could send Eduardo Camavinga to Liverpool, while Haaland talks fuel City's interest in Julián Alvarez next summer. The post Mac Allister at Centre of Reported Real Madrid Swap Idea appeared first on Football España.

Star subs rescue Chelsea as Alonso 'takes blame'

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Real Madrid? Ajax? Liverpool? Ranking Europe's greatest football dynasties

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Kane, Rice, Bellingham among Ballon d'Or nominees but no Ronaldo

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Favourite Kane makes Ballon d'Or shortlist

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is one of three England players nominated for the 2026 Ballon d'Or alongside Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice.

Real Madrid announce squad for Champions League match against Inter Milan

Real Madrid have published their squad list for Tuesday’s match against Inter Milan in the Champions League. REAL MADRID SQUAD LIST: Goalkeepers: Courtois, Sergio Mestre, and Javi Navarro. Defenders: Huijsen, Trent, Konaté, Cucurella, Á. Carreras, Rüdiger, Dumfries, and Mario Rivas. Midfielders: Bellingham, Valverde, Tchouameni, Thiago, and Cestero. Forwards: Vini Jr., Endrick, Mbappé, C. Espí, Brahim, and Yan Diomande. Mourinho’s main job in this one will be to build a functional midfield line without all Güler, Silva and Camavinga. Inter will likely deploy a low block, so creating quality scoring opportunities could be of the essence tonight. HOW TO WATCH, STREAM CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Date: 09/08/2026 Time: 21:00 CET, 03:00pm EST. Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain. Available TV: Movistar Liga Campeones (Spain) Available Streaming: Paramount+, DAZN, Amazon Prime Video (USA) Managing Madrid has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.

Chiesa might leave Liverpool - Tuesday's gossip

Federico Chiesa's future at Liverpool is in doubt, Jadon Sancho might return to the Premier League, Real Madrid's Endrick is attracting interest from Italy, plus more.

Dimarco out against Real Madrid

Reigning Serie A ‘Best Player of the Season’ Federico Dimarco will not be available when Inter Milan visit the Santiago Bernabéu this Tuesday. Dimarco suffered a knee sprain during Inter’s match against Napoli last Saturday and while he was able to train with the group today, coach Christian Chivu has decided to take a cautious approach and the Italian fullback will not play. Carlos Augusto will likely replace him in Inter’s classic 3-5-2 lineup, which could be a threat to Real Madrid’s own fullbacks given their physicality and speed with the ball on their feet. On the other hand, Real Madrid have not published their squad list yet, so it remains to be seen whether or not players like Tchouameni, Endrick or Thiago Pitarch will be available and ready to play after rejoining the squad in training on Sunday. Their presence in the starting lineup is extremely unlikely, though.

Mourinho Welcomes Three Back Before Real Madrid’s Inter Opener

Real Madrid training welcomes back Tchouaméni, Pitarch and Endrick, but all three need more conditioning before next Tuesday’s Inter match. The post Mourinho Welcomes Three Back Before Real Madrid’s Inter Opener appeared first on Football España.

'All over the place' - Neville questions Chelsea defence after defeat

Gary Neville criticised Chelsea's "all over the place" back three in their Super Sunday defeat to Arsenal - but believes Xabi Alonso's side are capable of finshing second or third in the Premier League table.

Chelsea defeat by Arsenal hurts - Alonso

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Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch and Endrick rejoin Real Madrid squad in training

Real Madrid players Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch and Endrick rejoined the group in training this Sunday and will try their best to be ready for the team’s Champions League debut against Inter Milan next Tuesday. Tchouameni, Pitarch and Endrick all missed more than a month worth of pre-season training, so their presence in the starting lineup seems very unlikely. Real Madrid will be without Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler and Bernardo Silva due to suspensions, so José Mourinho will have to rebuild his midfield line if he wants to bounce back from the frustrating loss against Betis. Now, all three of the aforementioned players will spend the next few days trying to improve their conditioning while also gaining some confidence and familiarity with Mourinho’s system.

Inside the neighbourhood club that made Arteta, Alonso and Iraola

Between a row of white apartment buildings and an artificial pitch set into the green hills of Berio in San Sebastian that Antiguoko now call home, there is a strip of land where Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola learned their craft.

How 'unique' Bellingham is thriving in Mourinho's system

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Asencio cleared over allegedly sharing explicit video

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Asencio sentenced in DUI case

Real Madrid center-back Raúl Asencio has been found guilty of drunk driving in his hometown Gran Caria two weeks ago, according to a report from local newspaper Atlántico Hoy. Asencio was stopped at a routine checkpoint in the south of Gran Canaria while driving his car in an entertainment area. He was not involved in an accident nor driving recklessly. His blood alcohol level registered 0.90 mg/l, nearly four times the legal limit of 0.25 mg/l, leading to his conviction for an offense against road safety. The Spanish center-back accepted the penalty and was convicted three days later in an expedited trial held in San Bartolomé de Tirajana. He was fined €14,400 and his driver’s license has been suspended for eight months. Asencio is currently out with an injury he picked up during Real Madrid’s pre-season stage. Real Madrid tried to find a new club for him all summer long but he ended up staying.

Alvarez stays at Atletico - so are Arsenal too short in attack?

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Mourinho faces midfield puzzle as Madrid trio miss Inter clash

Real Madrid suspensions leave Arda Güler, Eduardo Camavinga and Bernardo Silva unavailable for the Champions League clash with Inter. The post Mourinho faces midfield puzzle as Madrid trio miss Inter clash appeared first on Football España.

Güler, Bernardo Silva and Camavinga suspended for Real Madrid’s Champions League debut against Inter

José Mourinho will have a depleted squad when his Real Madrid team face Inter Milan next week. Arda Güler, Bernardo Silva and Eduardo Camavinga will all be suspended for that game because of cards they were shown during their last games in the European competition last season, which means that Mourinho will have to think outside the box and deploy a different kind of midfield line in the team’s Champions League opener. If Aurelien Tchouameni is able to make his return from injury in time for that game, Mourinho could use him alongside Valverde in the double pivot. However, the French midfielder hasn’t rejoined the squad in training yet and he hasn’t completed a single session with Real Madrid’s new coaching staff, so his presence in the XI could be premature. As things stand right now, Mourinho could move Jude Bellingham to the double pivot and play both Brahim and Diomandé with Vinicius and Mbappé in the attacking line. Trent Alexander-Arnold could also be an alternative to that move, albeit a more unorthodox one.

Euro Debrief: Mourinho getting best out of Bellingham at Real Madrid

VLOG: Behind the scenes of a Real Madrid matchday at the Bernabéu

What does a Real Madrid matchday look like from behind the scenes? In the latest Managing Madrid VLOG, Kiyan Sobhani takes viewers along for a night at the Santiago Bernabéu, from the journey to the stadium and the pre-game buildup to working from the press box and taking in the atmosphere inside the ground. The video offers a glimpse into the matchday routine that normally happens away from the cameras: arriving through the press entrance, settling into the press-box “office,” watching and analyzing the game, recording post-game content and staying behind long after most of the stadium has emptied. There’s also a post-game cameo from journalist Mario Cortegana, who gives his quick assessment of Real Madrid’s performance before heading down to the press conference and mixed zone. Check out the full VLOG embedded above for a behind-the-scenes look at covering Real Madrid from the Santiago Bernabéu.

Three-week international break a concern - Mourinho

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Lampard 'somewhere in the middle' of Mourinho and Ancelotti

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Palmer 'back to his best' with Alonso's freedom

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Why can't Real Madrid play at Anfield in the Champions League league phase?

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'To have a good team, we need a great Cole' - Alonso on Palmer

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