Real Madrid and the Champions League are a match made in heaven. They are the most decorated club in the competition with 15 titles; the most recent addition coming in the previous season. The holders would be dreaming of defending their crown this season.
Although they haven’t looked their lethal best, there are plenty of reasons to think why they could end up winning the competition this season.
Real Madrid’s 5-star attack is clicking at the right time
Kylian Mbappe’s headline transfer to the club of his dreams was the major talking point before the season started. He didn’t disappoint as he scored a goal in the very first outing, helping Los Blancos win the UEFA Supercup. However, it took him some time to get used to the Bernabeu’s grandeur.
After 33 club goals in his debut season, it is safe to conclude that Mbappe has transitioned well into life in Madrid. He looked ultra-sharp in the recent international break, especially in the Nations League quarterfinal second leg against Croatia, although he didn’t have a goal or assist to show for it. Nevertheless, Madrid’s No. 9’s good form moving into the business end of the Champions League bodes well for the club.
The same could be said about Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian scored a wonder goal against Columbia to negate Luis Dias’ equalizer and win it for this national team. Brahim Diaz too, hit the back of the net for Morocco in the World Cup qualifier game against Tanzania.
Everything that’s now left to be done is channeling the good run of form into great results on the pitch. Real possess an enviable attack, which could ultimately end up being the decisive factor. They’ll have two great high-octane games at home to test their boots before they face Arsenal in the quarterfinals – a league clash against Valencia and a cup semifinal against Real Sociedad, which Real lead 1-0 from the first leg.
Carlo Ancelotti - the king of ‘no tactics’ - will defy odds once again
Karim Benzema’s hattrick against PSG in the second leg of the Round of 16 ties in the UCL 2021-22 season, a scrappy aggregate victory against Chelsea in the very next round, and the famous Rodrygo performance off the bench against Manchester City in the semifinal – these are moments no Madrid fan can ever forget from a special season. It was Carlo Ancelotti’s return to the Bernabeu and the Italian ended up delivering a league-UCL double, with a team that had only recruited a free agent in David Alaba and a young midfielder in Eduardo Camavinga.
But Carletto didn’t stop there. After winning the 14th European Cup for Real Madrid, it only took him two seasons to lead them to their 15th. And if anyone asks about his tactics, it would probably be to raise an eyebrow and chew gums on the sidelines. And that would be to massively undermine his brilliance.
Don Carlo’s management goes much beyond tactics on the pitch, he’s flexible, he’s player-centric, and he focuses on the human element of the game, fostering relationships in the squad. That makes the perfect recipe for success. And if you really think he does not know his tactics, name another manager who was able to get a team like Real Madrid to win the double without a starting strirker.
A sluggish-looking Real Madrid is nothing new for Ancelotti. He has weathered this storm before when he was not given the transfers he would have wanted, and there is enough hope in Madrid that he would do it again. This time around, Ancelotti has a key man in Kylian Mbappe. He also has returning players like David Alaba and Dani Ceballos who are key leaders on the pitch. Believe it or not, this seems like the best plot for Ancelotti to unleash his magic and have Real Madrid celebrating on the podium soon!
Real Madrid don’t play UCL finals, they win them
The heading says it all, Real Madrid are all about the Champions League. Even if they’re dead and buried, they cannot be written off. Real Madrid have always found a way, especially in the UCL. Look no further than the Round of 16 clashes against city rivals Atletico Madrid.
Following Conor Gallagher’s first-minute strike, Real did nothing extravagant despite going down. Los Rojiblancos were far the better side throughout the game yet it was Real who had the last laugh.
We’d be living in an ideal world if playing better football would win you titles. They take much more than just being the better team. Winning the UCL is about the mental games, the experience, the last-minute bursts, the scrappy work, and the grit and determination to stand strong even if it looks like staring at the end of the road and Real Madrid are certified masters of what it takes to win the UCL.
With eight out of the 11 starters having already won the competition, Real Madrid would be banking on their experience to carry them over the finish line this season too. They have a favorable match-up against Arsenal in the quarterfinals, following which they’d face either PSG or Aston Villa in the semifinal. Kylian Mbappe would have a point to prove if Los Blancos end up facing his former club in the semifinal.
Talking of the opposing bracket, Barcelona seem to be the team to beat. That means the chances of a Clasico in the final remain sky-high. If not the Blaugrana, Madrid could end up facing Bayern Munich or Inter in the final. Either way, as wise men have already said, Real Madrid don’t play finals, they win them. More so, if the European Cup is at stake!