Despite losing Cristiano Ronaldo and the expectations of a decline, Real Madrid thrived. They successfully nurtured young talents like Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior, forming one of the world's most formidable duos. Confident in his squad, Carlo Ancelotti believed they could secure the 15th title. However, Ancelotti's optimism faced a harsh reality when Pep Guardiola's Manchester City eliminated Real Madrid in the semi-finals with a decisive 5-1 aggregate. Manchester City, unstoppable that season, went on to win their first treble, led by the brilliance of Kevin De Bruyne and his teammates.
Ancelotti acknowledged Manchester City's superiority, admitting they deserved the win. He felt Real Madrid's performance was below par and vowed to evaluate and learn from the defeat. The loss was a bitter pill for both Ancelotti and the fans, as they believed the team had the potential to reach the final and defend their title.
Additionally, Real Madrid's performance in the 2022-2023 season saw a significant dip. They failed to retain the La Liga title, securing only one domestic trophy throughout the season.
Real Madrid struggled at the start of this season, largely due to a decline in midfield performance. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos appeared exhausted, unable to elevate El Real's play. Fans were particularly critical, pointing to the midfield's inability to move on from Casemiro's departure. The Brazilian's exit left a significant void, and Real Madrid found themselves without a strong defensive midfielder. Aurelien Tchouameni, brought in from AS Monaco as a replacement, struggled to fill Casemiro's pivotal role effectively.
This weakness in the midfield became glaringly evident when Real Madrid faced Manchester City. The Los Blancos midfielders were outclassed, with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric receiving heavy criticism for failing to match The Citizens' intensity. Kroos and Modric frequently lost possession, and Modric's passing was below his usual standards. In contrast, Manchester City's midfield, orchestrated by Kevin De Bruyne, dominated the game. Rio Ferdinand praised De Bruyne's performance, noting how City managed to outplay a European giant like Real Madrid.
Despite the heavy defeat, Modric vowed to improve his performance and work hard to regain his form.
Real Madrid's playing style underwent a tumultuous shift under Carlo Ancelotti's bold decisions. The former AC Milan coach opted to switch from a 4-3-3 formation to a 4-4-2 setup, a move that immediately backfired against Atletico Madrid. Ancelotti faced sharp criticism for the defeat, with many pointing fingers at his tactical choices. Atletico Madrid effectively exploited Real Madrid's vulnerabilities on the flanks, bombarding them with relentless attacks.
Calls for Ancelotti to revert to the 4-3-3 formation echoed loudly, but the Italian-born coach remained optimistic about the 4-4-2 scheme's potential success with his players. Ancelotti's confidence was buoyed by the team's cohesion, evident as they bounced back with three consecutive wins after the loss to their city rivals.
Young talents within the squad began to shine, with Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga increasingly making their mark in Ancelotti's setup. These emerging stars, entrusted to replace seasoned midfielders like Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, showcased their potential. Tchouameni made 38 appearances across all competitions, while Camavinga featured in 46 games throughout the season.
Ancelotti hailed the duo as future pillars of Real Madrid's midfield, noting their maturity compared to the previous season. Their ability to maintain midfield balance earned praise from Ancelotti, who even earmarked Tchouameni as a potential successor to Modric.
Real Madrid embarked on a regeneration project, placing greater emphasis on the development and integration of young talents into the squad.
Real Madrid's ascent this season has been gradual, yet they haven't quite reclaimed their status as the dominant force in football. Their journey in the Champions League has been fraught with challenges, particularly in the quarter-finals against Manchester City. Despite being underdogs, several prominent media outlets and pundits heavily favored The Citizens to retain the championship. Opta's statistical analysis even suggested a 31% probability of Manchester City clinching the prestigious trophy, far surpassing Real Madrid's initial 15% chance.
Pep Guardiola's ambitious pursuit of another treble further dimmed Real Madrid's prospects in the eyes of pundits like Jamie Carragher, who doubted their ability to clinch the title due to perceived lack of experience. However, fortune smiled upon Real Madrid as they stunned Manchester City, securing victory in a dramatic penalty shootout. Wayne Rooney, expressing surprise at City's defeat, mused on the perceived unfairness of football, noting Real Madrid's knack for luck.
Yet, another formidable challenge awaited in the semi-finals against Bayern Munich, a seasoned European powerhouse with six championship titles under their belt. Real Madrid found themselves locked in a fierce battle against Thomas Tuchel's troops, with tensions heightened by Thomas Muller's controversial remarks suggesting Real's advancement benefited from refereeing decisions.
Real Madrid's path to the 15th title seemed promising following their recent success. However, just before the final match, the team received disheartening news: Toni Kroos would surprisingly retire at the season's end. This unexpected announcement shattered the players' focus and reportedly disrupted the harmony in Real Madrid's locker room. The atmosphere was laden with deep sadness, with Nacho feeling betrayed by Kroos's decision to leave despite expressing a desire to stay. Even Carlo Ancelotti, upon learning of Kroos's departure, felt a pang of sorrow. Nevertheless, Ancelotti vowed to bid Kroos a memorable farewell by securing a prestigious title.
Remarkably, Ancelotti's heartfelt words seemed to galvanize the team, who delivered a stellar performance against Borussia Dortmund, securing a two-goal victory. Real Madrid's effective tactics allowed them to capitalize on scoring opportunities despite facing more challenges from Die Borussen. Every player showcased their best game, including Toni Kroos, who notched an assist. Jude Bellingham's pivotal role in the triumph moved him to tears as he celebrated his first Champions League title. Daniel Carvajal and Vinicius Junior, both instrumental in defense and attack, left their mark on the scoreboard.
With this victory, Real Madrid now stands on par with all Premier League clubs with 15 titles, while also upholding the tradition of Brazilian players' excellence dating back to the 2006 Champions League victory. Carlo Ancelotti's leadership played a significant role in this success, making him the sole coach to collect five Champions League titles. Jose Mourinho lauded Ancelotti's understanding of team needs, affirming his prowess as the right coach for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid's recent triumph doesn't breed complacency; instead, it fuels President Florentino Perez's hunger for a 16th Champions League title. Perez, buoyed by the success of Real Madrid, likened the club's bond with the Champions League to an inseparable love story. Federico Valverde shares this ambitious vision, already setting his sights on the 16th title.
Their aspirations seem within reach, especially considering the depth of talent in the squad for the upcoming season. Real Madrid has secured the services of Endrick Filipe from Palmeiras, a rising star who played a pivotal role in Palmeiras' consecutive title victories. Despite being just 17, Endrick has already made waves in the senior Brazilian national team.
Additionally, the prospect of Kylian Mbappe joining Real Madrid's forward line adds to the club's firepower. Mbappe's arrival will provide Carlo Ancelotti with more options, allowing him to deploy Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo in their natural winger positions. Real Madrid's regeneration doesn't stop there; they're reportedly eyeing reinforcements in the full-back positions, with names like Alphonso Davies and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the mix. Davies even hinted at a move to Santiago Bernabeu, suggesting ongoing communication between his agent and Bayern Munich management.
This narrative underscores the cyclical nature of Real Madrid's dominance in Europe, a saga of rise and fall punctuated by relentless ambition and strategic acquisitions.
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