May 26, 2018, marks the day that Real Madrid wins three consecutive Champions League titles. In this post, we will explore how one of the biggest clubs in the world, if not the biggest, managed to accomplish this feat.
Before Zidane
Real Madrid went since the 2001/2002 season without winning the Champions League, but what was even more concerning was the number of times the club failed to even compete for the title.
For six consecutive years, they couldn’t get past the round of 16 in the Champions League—a completely catastrophic result for the Real Madrid we all know.
Florentino Pérez was dismissed in February 2006 due to poor results and was heavily criticized for focusing more on the Real Madrid brand and its marketing rather than on football and the quality of play.
Many Galáctico players, joined Real Madrid during this period, but collectively, the team failed to stand out. Additionally, this era saw some of the club’s most notable transfer failures, with players like Antonio Cassano, Royston Drenthe, and Julien Faubert among the examples. Coaches came and went without much success, including names like Juan Ramón López Caro, Vanderlei Luxemburgo, and Mariano García Remón.
A slight turnaround began in 2009, when Florentino was re-elected and signed players like Ronaldo and Kaká in that same year. The following year, he brought José Mourinho from Inter Milan after he had won the Champions League with the Italian club. Mourinho became the longest-serving manager during this period, achieving some iconic victories:
- A La Liga title won at the Camp Nou against Guardiola’s Barcelona,
- A Copa del Rey victory also against Barcelona with a stunning goal by Cristiano Ronaldo in the final,
- And a Spanish Super Cup.
In the Champions League, Mourinho came closest to success in his second season, losing on penalties to eventual winners Bayern Munich, with Ronaldo missing a decisive kick.
However, in 2013, Mourinho decided to leave, and Carlo Ancelotti was brought in as his replacement, with Zidane as his assistant coach. Together, they won the Champions League that same season in an epic final against city rivals Atlético Madrid, as well as the Copa del Rey against Guardiola’s prime Barcelona team, highlighted by Bale’s incredible solo goal.
This partnership between Ancelotti and Zidane lasted just one year, as Zidane went on to coach Real Madrid’s B team in the 2014/15 season.
15/16 Season
Currently, few remember that the initial choice of Florentino Pérez to lead the first team of Real Madrid was not immediately Zinedine Zidane, but Rafa Benítez.
While Benítez didn’t have poor results, the situation in Madrid was far from easy. According to the coach himself, factors such as the departure of Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos wanting to leave, Cristiano Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction, and the fact that it was an election year led to his dismissal—not his poor results, which, in fact, weren’t that bad.
On January 4, 2016, Pérez dismissed Rafa Benítez and appointed Zinedine Zidane as his replacement. This decision was not without controversy, as Zidane’s tenure at Real Madrid B had not been successful.
Therefore, while many football fans and Madridistas acknowledged Zidane’s greatness as a player (which would have been hard not to), there was skepticism regarding his abilities as a coach.
When it comes to the dynamics and structure of the team, Zidane had created a remarkably balanced setup, in my opinion, even more so than the one Carlo Ancelotti had when they both won the Champions League in 2014.
This was because the central defenders, Sergio Ramos and Pepe, were absolutely unstoppable. They were strong, secure, and quick, able to stop any counter-attacks.
The full-backs, Marcelo and Carvajal, possessed immense technical ability and were excellent crossers, which is why Zidane encouraged them to push up the flanks. In midfield, Casemiro was the defensive anchor with an extraordinary ability to recover the ball, press high, and anticipate plays.
Toni Kroos was a box-to-box player with one of the highest pass completion percentages in football history, and Luka Modrić, the maestro in the final third, made fantastic through balls and created chances for the attacking trio to do what they did best—score goals.
This trio, consisting of Bale, Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo, didn’t have fixed attacking positions, but in theory, Cristiano played on the left, Bale on the right, and Benzema in the center. It was a pure 4-3-3 formation.
It’s important to note that under Rafa Benítez’s leadership, Real Madrid won all their group-stage matches, except for a 0-0 draw away to PSG. When Zidane took over, the team was already in the Round of 16, where they would face Roma. Real Madrid had no issues advancing, dominating the game in both legs and winning 2-0 in each leg.
However, when the quarterfinals arrived, the story was very different. Real Madrid was drawn against Wolfsburg, and most Madridistas, and honestly, football fans in general, expected an easy win for Real. But the reality couldn’t have been more different.
Real Madrid lost 2-0 away in the first leg, despite dominating the match. But in the second leg, Mr. Champions League (Cristiano Ronaldo) showed exactly why he earned that nickname and why he was not only one of the best players in the world, but also one of the best of all time.
In the first 20 minutes of the game, Cristiano Ronaldo had already equalized the tie at 2-2, scoring two extraordinary goals, and Real Madrid completely dominated the match. Yet, completing the comeback wasn’t easy, but in the 77th minute, the man of the moment once again delivered. Cristiano scored a stunning free-kick, completing his hat-trick.
The only thing standing between Real Madrid and the promised land was now Manchester City, managed by Manuel Pellegrini. While the aggregate score over the two legs was narrow, both matches were one-sided, with Real Madrid dominating. They drew 0-0 away and won 1-0 at home with an own goal.
With that, Real Madrid reached the final of the Champions League, where they would face their city rivals, Atlético Madrid. Real Madrid took the lead in the 15th minute thanks to a set-piece goal from Sergio Ramos—nothing new there, right? Atlético had the chance to equalize with a penalty won by Fernando Torres, but Antoine Griezmann missed the chance. However, in the 79th minute, Atlético finally equalized, with Diego Simeone’s side scoring the goal. The game went into extra time, but nothing changed, and the final would be decided by penalties.
In the shootout, the decisive penalty fell to none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, after juanfran missed his penalty. He stepped up and calmly converted the fifth and final penalty for Real Madrid, helping them secure their second Champions League in three years and Zidane’s first as head coach.
16/17 Season
The 2016/17 season was indeed marked by a very competitive and successful Real Madrid, both domestically and internationally, although there were challenges to overcome, such as Gareth Bale’s decline due to injuries and the need to find new tactical solutions to maintain the team’s excellence.
With Isco adapting to the number 10 position, Zidane managed to adjust Real Madrid’s tactical system, creating a more dynamic model, but without abandoning the team’s traditional strengths. The control in midfield, the defensive solidity with Casemiro, Ramos, and Varane, alongside the creativity of Modric and Kroos.
In La Liga, Real Madrid stood out as the undisputed leader of the league. Despite a few unexpected losses, the team never lost its top spot after taking the lead in the ninth round, ultimately becoming Spanish champions for the first time in five years.
The conquest of the Spanish title was a clear demonstration of the team’s consistency and strength, with special mention of the team’s regularity throughout the season.
In the Champions League, the challenge was more difficult. In the group stage, Real Madrid finished second, behind Borussia Dortmund, after drawing three games, but the real difficulty began in the knockout stages.
Defending the title seemed unlikely for many, but Zidane and his players had other plans. The team overcame opponents like Napoli and Bayern Munich in the later rounds, with consistent performances and, above all, a winning mentality that defined Zidane’s team.
The biggest surprise was how the team managed to maintain their level of performance throughout the season, proving that the 2015/16 title was not just “luck” but the result of a well-structured collective effort.
In the final of the Champions League, Real Madrid faced Juventus, a top-level team, but they were completely dominated by Zidane’s side. Real won 4-1, with a historic performance from Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored twice, once again confirming his importance in big matches.
The victory secured their back-to-back European titles, something that hadn’t been done in over 30 years, further solidifying Zidane as one of the greatest managers in the club’s history.
The back-to-back European titles, along with the La Liga title, were proof that Real Madrid, under Zidane’s management, not only maintained its greatness but also innovated, adapting to various challenges and becoming even more feared and respected across Europe.
In terms of signings and departures, Zidane knew when to make changes to the team without causing major disruptions, relying heavily on the players at his disposal and betting on the quality and experience of the squad.
The introduction of young players like Marco Asensio and the development of players like Isco, who took on a more central role, were also crucial to sustaining success.
This season is remembered not only for winning trophies but also for continuing a style of play that kept Real Madrid competitive in the biggest competitions in world football. The combination of :
- a solid defense,
- a creative midfield,
- and a potent attack,
- with a winning mentality was the key to Real Madrid’s success in the 2016/17 season.
17/18 Season
In European competitions, it was another magnificent year for Real Madrid, winning the Champions League, the Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.
Domestically, however, it was a disaster. While they won the Spanish Super Cup, they once again failed to reach even the final of the Copa del Rey, being eliminated by another mediocre team—Celta de Vigo in 2016/17 and Leganés in 2017/18. This is clearly not good enough for a team like Real Madrid.
In La Liga, Real Madrid finished in third place, behind Atlético Madrid by three points, and behind Barcelona, who won the title with a 17-point lead over Real.
I analyzed Real Madrid’s squad to understand the reason behind this discrepancy between their domestic and European results.
One fact, as we all know, is that Real Madrid values European competitions much more, but this cannot justify such lack of domestic results.
Upon a closer look, I realized that, unlike other top clubs, Real Madrid’s squad was not very deep, which likely made the departures of James and Morata a mistake.
These players allowed the starters to rest, and both were quality solutions that provided strong guarantees. It would also have been a good idea to bring in quality options for the bench.
While the policy regarding starting players and youth development is often praised, one thing that needs criticism, and which is still seen today, is the occasional lack of quality players coming off the bench.
Players like James Rodriguez and Morata, who had those impressive numbers the previous season, mostly coming off the bench, could have been key. If they had been given more playing time, perhaps Real Madrid would have had the ability to fight for all the competitions equally.
Never the less, this Champions League run for Real Madrid was, perhaps, the most difficult of all, because in the knockout stages, they would face the national champions of their respective leagues, except in the final of the Champions League.
From this, it is possible to conclude that the quality was there in the squad, but it wasn’t enough to compete equally across all competitions.
In the group stage, once again, they left something to be desired, finishing second in the group behind Tottenham after losing away and drawing at home against the Spurs.
The first knockout round was against PSG, who would go on to be the French champions that season. PSG, who had signed Neymar and Mbappé that year, which is still incredible to think about today. However, it wasn’t enough to put up much of a fight, as despite having a strong attacking force, they still had significant defensive weaknesses.
In the first leg at home, Real Madrid won 3-1, with two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and one from Marcelo.
In the second leg at PSG’s home, despite the French needing a better result, the story of the first leg repeated itself, with Real Madrid dominating the entire match and winning it 2-1.
But now the story was different, as in the quarterfinals, Real faced Juventus, who were seeking revenge after that defeat in the Champions League final. What a game it was! There was a bit of everything—great goals, controversy, and spectacular saves.
In the first leg, Real Madrid traveled to Juventus’ home, but even in their worst nightmares, Juventus never imagined what would unfold.
At just 3 minutes into the game, Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with a fantastic anticipation, but the real moment of magic came later, with what I consider to be the best goal in football history. A stunning bicycle kick that reached a height never seen before, only achievable by Mr. Champions League himself. And with that Real won the game 3-0.
Ironically, this advantage may not have been the best thing that happened to them, as they possibly entered the second leg too relaxed, and Juventus took advantage of it. In the first two minutes of the game, Juventus scored the first goal through Mandzukic, and at the 37th minute, Mandzukic scored again.
In the second half, at 61 minutes, Matuidi made it 3-3, and all football fans were left incredulous—was this the moment the two-time defending champions would fall? Was this finally the year Juventus had what it took to win the Champions League after so many years of drought?
But just when it seemed like the match was heading for extra time, a very dubious penalty in the 90+3 minute on Lucas Vázquez put Real Madrid in position to advance in the competition. The penalty taker, you ask? There is little doubt—Cristiano Ronaldo. He scored, decided the game, and the tie. Nothing new, right?
With the victory, Real Madrid advanced to another rematch, this time against Bayern, who they had eliminated in the previous year’s semifinals.
And it wasn’t easy for Real Madrid, Bayern dominated both legs of the tie. However, Real showed their maturity, competence, and team spirit. Despite Bayern’s dominance, Real did not lose either game and even won the first leg away.
As if that wasn’t enough, Cristiano Ronaldo did not score a single goal in this tie, yet Real still managed to score four goals. And just like that Real Madrid was back in the Champions League final for the third consecutive year.
In the final, Real Madrid faced the only team that wasn’t a champion that season, Liverpool. Despite falling short in the league, Liverpool rose to the occasion in the Champions League.
But in this final, it was clear to see some of Liverpool’s weaknesses, especially defensively, and particularly at the goalkeeper position. Karius made two glaring mistakes, and against a team like Real Madrid, i´ts always devastating. The first error was with Benzema, when Karius attempted to play the ball out and it hit the French striker, allowing Benzema to score the 1-0.
The second mistake was with Gareth Bale, who scored the 3-0 because the goalkeeper let the ball slip through his hands. It’s impossible not to mention, despite these mistakes, the brilliant bicycle kick goal by Bale, which remains one of the best, if not the best, goals ever scored in a Champions League final.
And with that Real Madrid wins the champions league for the third time in a row, making it the second time in club´s history to reach this amazing achivement and the fourth time in this competition history.
After Zidane
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and after this game, we saw the closing of this era. Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juventus after, Bale, who had struggled with several injuries and had some issues with Zidane, ended up falling out of favor with future managers, being later loaned to Tottenham and is now retired. At the end of the season, Zidane stepped down from his position as coach, returning later but failing to win the Champions League again.
With this, Real Madrid began a process of rejuvenating the squad, as some players were reaching ages where their performance was no longer the same. Florentino Pérez was fully aware that, in the near future, players like Kroos, Sergio Ramos, Modric, Benzema, Casemiro, Navas, among others, would eventually leave the club. For this reason, it was necessary to start thinking about players who could replace them. To compare, the team that won in May 2022 had only Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Benzema, and Carvajal in the starting lineup of the team that won the competition in May 2018. By 2024, only Kroos and Carvajal remained in the starting lineup.
The most remarkable thing, and what most represents Real Madrid, is that the Champions League victories and titles continue to appear. Players and coaches come and go, but one thing remains certain: the mentality, ambition, and objectives.