Kiyan's Observations

Kiyan's weekly column of thoughts, which include Real Madrid history, the players on loan, Castilla, and other tidbits

How ‘real’ are Real Madrid’s pre-season problems?

Sifting through the "it’s just pre-season" talk to find some truths about Real Madrid

By Kiyan Sobhani August 5

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A future with and without Mbappe: Where are Real Madrid headed next season?

What’s Plan B? How likely is Plan A?

By Kiyan Sobhani July 31

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Bellingham as a nine? Bellingham in a diamond? Some notes from Los Angeles

Through two training sessions, Kiyan has some quick thoughts ahead of Real Madrid’s first game pre-season game on Sunday

By Kiyan Sobhani July 22

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What are the pros and cons of Jude Bellingham playing in a diamond?

Kiyan makes the case for Bellingham to spearhead the diamond, while also pointing out why it may not work

By Kiyan Sobhani July 12

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Kiyan's Observations

The Rise Of Eduardo Camavinga: A Cornerstone Of Real Madrid’s New Era

Camavinga always been ahead of the curve: Above his peers at the youth level and now already one of the best midfielders in the world — vital to the Madrid engine

By Kiyan Sobhani June 28

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Gratitude for Nacho

The Spaniard has renewed his contract. A quick tribute to a loyal Real Madrid servant.

By Kiyan Sobhani June 22

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Will Florentino Perez sign one more striker?

Joselu is awesome, but he’s not the guy who can lead Real Madrid as a starter

By Kiyan Sobhani June 20

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Does Bellingham unlock a different brand of football for Ancelotti?

Will Carlo bring back aggressive pressing?

By Kiyan Sobhani June 12

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Kiyan's Observations

A good-bye to the transcendent Benzema — one of the greatest players in Real Madrid history

On Benzema’s ascendency since 2018, an emotional good-bye, and the unique stature of one of the club’s apex superstars

By Kiyan Sobhani June 6

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Kiyan's Observations

Who will replace Asensio? What went wrong this season? Will Tchouameni make a leap?

Kiyan’s column also discusses Ancelotti’s quotes today about the team’s defensive problems this season

By Kiyan Sobhani May 27

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Kiyan's Observations

How Real Madrid react to City humiliation is vital if they are to improve next season

Real Madrid lost to a better team, but they did not put themselves in a position to succeed. There is a path to being better.

By Kiyan Sobhani May 18

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How Rudiger and Camavinga stepped up against Manchester City

Rudiger needed to be at his best; Camavinga locked down the wing. Some notes.

By Kiyan Sobhani May 11

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Kiyan's Observations

Why Real Madrid will have trouble breaking down Manchester City, how Fran Garcia helps next season, and some notes on Chef Rodrygo

Tactical observations from Kiyan

By Kiyan Sobhani May 3

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Kiyan's Observations

The incredible Camavinga, the space-creating Rodrygo, and a questionable press against Manchester City

In this week’s column, Kiyan looks at Modric’s ball progression, Camavinga dazzling the Bernabeu, and how Asensio is on the verge of some career-best numbers

By Kiyan Sobhani April 24

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Kiyan's Observations

The Copa on the line and a chance for redemption: Barcelona vs Real Madrid, tactical preview

El Clasico part three. Ancelotti vs Xavi. A Clasico for the ages.

By Kiyan Sobhani April 4

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Kiyan's Observations

Moral victories will only doom the team further — there are many downfalls that need to be recognized urgently

Real Madrid have failed their league campaign, and to rescue Copa and UCL, Ancelotti has to learn from previous mistakes

By Kiyan Sobhani March 20

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Nacho extracted Salah’s soul over two legs

Also in here: notes on Camavinga and Fede

By Kiyan Sobhani March 16

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Why dealing with Real Madrid’s expiring contracts is not as easy as it seems

Renewing some of these players is a risk

By Kiyan Sobhani March 9

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Has Camavinga been one of Real Madrid’s best players? Is Vinicius Tobias ready?

On one of Real Madrid’s pillars, and an unlikely understudy to an ageing Carvajal

By Kiyan Sobhani March 8

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Xavi will not change how he plays; Ancelotti has plenty of options to punish Barcelona

Real Madrid have the ammo they need to not only beat Barca, but to give them heavy psychological damage

By Kiyan Sobhani March 1

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It’s time to make Barcelona uncomfortable

Exploiting Barca; and a look at danger-man Vinicius and the ever-good Camavinga

By Kiyan Sobhani February 28

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Even the biggest skeptics can’t deny Real Madrid’s mental fortitude

The performance against Liverpool felt like an extension of last season. But then again, this is just Real Madrid, a team that looks meditative when everything is going wrong.

By Kiyan Sobhani February 23

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The tension around Vinicius; Rodrygo’s left-wing role; and the give-and-take of Kroos

3 talking points from the last few games

By Kiyan Sobhani February 19

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Valverde’s goals and spiritual energy are back

Valverde carried Real Madrid’s right wing before the World Cup and covered so much ground in addition to scoring. After an understandable dip, his mojo is back.

By Kiyan Sobhani February 12

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Is the Club World Cup a good ‘break’ for Real Madrid? Plus: Arribas’s arrival, Obrador, and Vinicius

It’s extra games and extra trips, but maybe a break from La Liga is important for Ancelotti’s men.

By Kiyan Sobhani February 10

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Real Madrid have revved up their offense

In the last two games Real Madrid have kept a higher line and allowed fewer passes per defensive action. It’s worked, and on top of that, Camavinga is ballin’ at left-back

By Kiyan Sobhani February 4

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Why Fran Garcia is coming next summer and not immediately

Bayer Leverkusen forced Real Madrid to make a decision on Fran Garcia — but what does that really mean for his future?

By Kiyan Sobhani February 1

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Ceballos and Camavinga have sparked life into Real Madrid’s play

Two players who have been vital on both ends and have overwhelmed opponents

By Kiyan Sobhani January 27

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What are Real Madrid’s barriers to signing wing-backs?

Carvajal, 31, has broken down over time; Mendy, 27, is limited offensively. The club only has one pure back-up wing-back in the squad and he doesn’t play. What’s the plan?

By Kiyan Sobhani January 24

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