Real Madrid News
Real Madrid youngster’s contract renewal only missing ‘final details’- report
The hammering in Manchester has not gone down well at the offices at the Santiago Bernabeu. No individual was the single cause of the destruction, and a collective deficit is seen to be the underlying cause.
One of the most glaring deficits of the team on Wednesday night, however, was their poor grip over the middle of the park. Manchester City rode over the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric on the night, cutting off the visitors from their most creative outlets.
Moreover, Los Blancos were left with no activity down the two wings. While Vinicius jr did get the occasional ball, Rodrygo Goes was invisible.
The board see an urgent need to fill the voids in the team. The transfer market is indeed plan A, but other solutions on the club’s horizon could offer an easier fix. Brahim Diaz is one such player.
According to reports from Radio Estadio (h/t Madrid Xtra), Diaz’s renewal with Real Madrid is only a matter of time. Only the ‘final details’ remain to be sorted between the two parties.
The young protege’s renewal was always on the table and would be processed even had the team won last night. However, the cloud of doubt surrounding his immediate future after returning from AC Milan could clear with recent developments.
Diaz is naturally an attacking midfielder by trade but is capable of playing on the wing if need be. In fact, it was out wide that he first made his mark at the club.
Given the need for fresh legs in the middle of the park, it would not be a bad idea for Carlo Ancelotti to nurture the 23-year-old’s talent and utilise his services next season. After all, his numbers for AC Milan this season have been encouraging.
The Spaniard has scored five goals and provided as many assists in 30 Serie A appearances this season and averages close to an hour per game. Further, he averages 1.2 key passes per game and has created nine big chances.
Diaz’s loan at Milan ends in June and he will return to Real Madrid where he has a deal until 2025. While it remains to be seen how many years he extends his commitment by, his involvement under Ancelotti’s command next season is suddenly no longer a distant possibility.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid resolve their pitch problems as the Bernabeu surface returns to good condition
After years of problems with the pitch, Real Madrid now believe that those issues are now a thing of the past, reports MARCA.
For several seasons, the playing surface at the Santiago Bernabeu had become one of Real Madrid’s biggest headaches. Five pitch changes in a single season, paint used to disguise its poor appearance on television and criticism from all sides.
The club had been trying to solve the problem for some time and now, they believe they have finally found an answer.
The Bernabeu begins to put its turf problems behind it
The latest operation was accelerated following the NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Commanders, forcing the club to replace the playing surface in just 72 hours to meet the deadline last season. This time, however, there was an important difference.
After establishing that the underlying structure was in good condition, Real Madrid decided to retain the existing turf panels and hybrid stitching system rather than remove everything and start again.
The new grass was installed over the existing base after being cultivated for several months. The variety selected was RyeBlue Deportivo, a high-performance mixture consisting of 50% perennial ryegrass and 50% Poa pratensis.
Real Madrid hoped the combination would provide a definitive solution. The club’s groundskeeping team has since refined the maintenance process, and the results are encouraging.
The Bernabeu is now in a condition that satisfies the club, and there are no plans to make further changes to the playing surface during the season.
It is the outcome Real Madrid have been pursuing for years, following a situation that eventually concerned the players themselves.
Major concerts remain the Bernabeu’s outstanding challenge
While the pitch problem appears to have been brought under control, the return of major concerts remains the Bernabeu’s biggest unresolved issue.
Real Madrid have spent months working to address the noise problems that forced them to suspend large-scale concerts.
The work has included soundproofing improvements and other measures designed to prevent noise from escaping the stadium. However, there is still no confirmed date for the return of major events.
Real Madrid believe the work carried out has brought the stadium closer to an optimal level of sound insulation.
Several areas have been reinforced to reduce noise escaping outside, with particular attention paid to entrances, enclosures and other points through which sound waves could travel.
The structural soundproofing work is understood to be nearing completion, with final architectural finishing work and official sound-emission tests still outstanding.
In the meantime, Real Madrid are exploring ways to make a return to large-scale events more feasible.
The aim is to make full use of the improvements already completed and establish a model that allows the club to revive an activity that was one of the major commercial attractions of the renovated stadium.
Until that becomes possible, Real Madrid continue to explore other ways of generating revenue from the Bernabeu. Corporate events, award ceremonies, conferences and private celebrations remain among the alternatives.
For Real Madrid, resolving the pitch issue is a significant step forward. Restoring large-scale entertainment to the Bernabeu remains the next major objective.
