Five matches that defined Real Madrid’s 2016/2017 La Liga title campaign

FC Barcelona 1 – 1 Real Madrid – December 3, 2016

The first El Cláscio of the season was an ugly, gritty, and unimpressive match from a Real Madrid perspective. But there was still something special, something season-defining about it.

The match was a sort of tactical chess-match. Madrid came out of the gates firing, and had a clear penalty shout on Vazquez denied. But then Barca grew into the match, controlling possession for much of the first half. Madrid were, for the most part, content to absorb pressure and launch counter-attacks. Madrid then grew into the game, but couldn’t manage to find the back of the net.

Barca dominated proceedings in the second half, pouring upon Madrid with wave after wave of attack, until eventually the levees broke and Suarez put the Blaugranes ahead off a free kick.

The goal seemed to take the wind out of Madrid’s sails, as they lost all impetus to attack and were pinned back by an imposing Barca offense.

Everything changed in the 90th minute, though. Who was the impetus for the change? Who else? Sergio Ramos put his head to a Luka Modric cross in the dying minutes of the game to snatch a point and prevent Barca from getting a crucial league win.

This game exemplified the 2016/2017 La Liga campaign for a number of reasons.

First, and most simply, if Ramos last minute equalizer doesn’t go in, we lose one point and Barca gain two. In other words, if we don’t draw at Barca, Madrid don’t win this title. Simple enough.

Second, this season ensured that Sergio Ramos will retire a Real Madrid legend. While it’s crazy to say this about a defender, Real Madrid owe this title as much to goals from Sergio Ramos as they do from Cristiano Ronaldo. Ramos’ heroics have earned Madrid 9 points, and, in this instance, prevented Barca from getting two crucial points.

Finally, Zidane’s men left it to late to get the job done. Last minute victories and draws were a hallmark of this Real Madrid season.

Without the goals scored in the last 10 minutes of the match, Real Madrid wouldn’t be anywhere close to a title.

Zidane installed in this squad an unparalleled will to win (or, in this case, not lose) . This winning mentality shone through in the last 10 minutes of Madrid’s matches. Knowing that they can come back from a deficit and turn games around by applying pressure in the dying moments of a match is a huge mental boost to this squad.

This winning mentality may be crucially important to Zidane’s men as they get ready for a one-match showoff for the European Championship against Juventus in early June.