Real Madrid: honoring a historic season

In hobor of Real Madrid’s remarkable season here’s the best moments, players, and goals.

Too 10 players
10. Raphael Varane He’s been inconsistent at times but Varane played well In big games. Played well in the CL semis and final. Ed great in big league games at Atleti, at Barca, at Malaga on the final day. Scored a few goals as well.

9. Casemiro An injury hurt his firm this season but after Febuary he returned to top form. Great enforcer in midfield, passing range improved. He also scored 4 goals in the league including the winner at Bilbao and a goal vs. Barca at home. In the CL he had controversial moments against Bayern. Gave up a penalty, could have been sent off. But he was key scoring a wonder goal vs. Napoli, setting up 2 Ronaldo goals vs. Bayern and Atleti respectively. In the final he was dynamic and even scored the winner.

8. Toni Kroos The German had another great campaign. He was second in La Liga in assists with 12. He scored crucial goals, the winner at home to Celta, the winner vs. Napoli I’m the CL. He had a dip o before in mid season but finished strong. His performance in the CL final was fantastic.

7. Nacho he played in every position at the back. RB, LB, CB you name it. Was excellent throughout the drain, playing a tremendous game at Atleto in the league where Real won 3-0. He scored 3 goals including a crucial free -kick at home to Sevilla. His performances against Bayern in the CL were excellent. Vital member of the squad in both completions.

6. Daniel Carvajal He was a constant danger sending in great crosses throughout the season. His assist to Ronaldo vs. Juve was an example of his offensive proudest ion. Great defensively he was a constant high performer for Real. His performance against Napoli at home, Juve in the CL final wee great. The UEFA Super Cup was his finest hour scoring a stunning solo goal to win Real the first of 4 titles of the season.

5. Isco in the beginning of the season he wasn’t used that often. But everytime he did play he performed. He scored 2 goals in the 6-1 demolition at Betis, put a brilliant performance at Atleti, and scored 10 league goals to help Real win the league. His standout game was the 3-2 at Gijon where he scored a great solo-goal and scored a long range winner to save Real. In the CL he was brilliant in the tournament in the latter stages, performing great against Atleti in both legs, including scoring the crucial away goal at Atletico. In the final he was great as he helped Real win another CL. Arguably the best player in the second half of the season.

4. Luka Modric The most underrated player at Real. The engine room of the team. He doesn’t score often and he’s not as flashy as Isco and Krois but he is unerringly consistent. Played well throughout the season. His performances at the Camp Nou, Vicente Calderon, the Club World Cup wee magnicifent. His defensive output against Bayern and Atelti wee massive parts of Real’s wins. His second-he performance against Juve was perfect, assisting Ronaldo’s 3rd goal. There’s no better midfielder in the world than this little Croatian.

3. Marcelo He was a force offensively this season, he scored 4 goals and had 14 assists in all competitions. His crosses allowed Benzema, Morata, and Ronaldo to benefit greatly. He was unplayable at home to Bayern where he saved 2 certain goals and assisted Ronaldo for his hat-trick. His performances in the second half of the season were incredible. The most impactful game was against Valencia, Real were heading for a draw until he struck a great right foot shot past Diego Alves to win the game 2-1. The final his overloading the left side allowed Real to dominate the game. His assist for the 4th goal was icing on the cake.

2. Sergio Ramos For once he didn’t start the season sleepwalking. He played well throughout being a leader, a defensive force, and of course scoring clutch goals. LOTS PF THEM. 10 goals to be exact. He was a defensive force in the Camp Nou and then headed home the equalizer in the last minute. A week later he headed home the winner vs. Depor. He scored the winner against Malaga to help end Real’s winless run. Against Napoli at San Paolo Real was 1 goal from going out, he scored 2 headers to save Real’s season. A few days later he scored the winner against Betis to gain another 3 points. In the UEFA Super Cup he headed home a 93rd minute equalizer (AGAIN!) to help rescue Real in another European final. He performed expertly defensively and was greet throughout Real’s run in the CL, a dive against Cuardado aside…Ramos had an exceptional campaign.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo First half of the season he wasn’t himself due to injuries. But he scored a hat-trick at Alaves, at Yhe Calderon, scored a vital equalizer against Sporting in the CL, scored 2 goals vs. Gijon at home. Scored 4 goals in the Club World Cup including a hat-trick in the final. He scored against Sociedad, Villareal, Sevilla, Atleti in the league. When Real were down 2 goals and a man against Las Palmas Ronaldo scored twice to rescue a draw. In the final four league games he scored 6 goals against Valencia, Sevilla, Cekta and Malaga to help Real win the league. 3 of the foals were game-winners. In the CL he was unplayable on the knockout stages. He scored 10 goals and had 2 assists in the last 7 games. 2 assists vs. Napoli. 5 goals vs. Bayern. 3 goals vs. Bayern. 2 goals in the final. 42 goals and 13 assists for the best player in the world.

Goals of the season

5. Cristiano Ronaldo’s 1at goal vs. Juve The build up to the goal was magnicofent. Two brilliant passes by Ktoos and Benzema to Ronaldo who passed it off to Carvajal who passed ie to Ronaldo for a first time finish.

4. Isco’s away goal vs. Atletico in the CL Semis This should be known as the Benzema dribble. Benzema wiggled past 3 Atleti defenders and found Kroos whose shot was saved and well by Oblak. However Isco scored the rebound.

3. Carvajal’s solo winner against Sevila in the UEFA Super Cup. Carvajal stealing the ball in midfield dribbled past 3-4 Sevilla players and hit a shot with the outside of his boot past the despairing Sevilla goalkeeper.

2. Isco’s goal vs. Betis, the 4th in a 6-1 game. In a 8 pass move off a Betis corner Real confreres perfectly and Ronaldo passed it to Pepe who unselfishly let Isco score a tremendous team goal.

1. Nacho’s perfect volley James sent in a corner and Nacho was outside the box when he hit a scissor kick coley past the poor Cultural Leona goalie. James’s reaction said it all. Zidane even said that it was better goal than his effort in the CL final. High praise indeed.

Games of the season
5. Barca 1-Real 1 Barca were long to cut the gap on the league leaders. Real were denied a clear penalty when Mascherano fouled Vasquez.
To compound Real’s misery Suarez scored when he was offside. Real looked like they would lose, but as we know never discount Ramos. In the 90th minute Modric’s free-kick was heard in by Ramos for a vital pint which was the difference in the league seton.

4. Villareal 2- Real 3 Reak had 1 of the last 4 away games and goals by Trigueros and Bakanbu seemed to doom Real to defeat. But a rousing comeback began when Carvajal’s cross was headed in by Bale. A controversial penalty was converted by Ronaldo to make it 2-.2 9 minutes from substitute Morata turned in a Marcelo cross to help Real snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

3. Real-Sevilla UEFA Super Cup. This game had it all. A wonder goal by Marco Asensio to make it 1-0 Real. 2 unanswered goals by Sevilla including a penalty Ramos gave up. Then in the 93rd minute, Vasquez’s cross was turned home by Ramos. In extra time Sevilla went down to 10 men. Ramos had a perfectly good goal disallowed. Then Carvajal intervened scoring an incredible solo goal to win the game 3-2.

2. Real 4 Bayern 2 CL quarterfinals One of the greatest games in CL history. Casemiro vibe fed a penalty where Lewadonswki concerted. Casemiro then sent in a cross that Ronaldo headed home. Ramos of all people scored an own goal that had Real level on aggregate. Veal was then harshly sent off for a perfect tackle. Casemiro could have been sent off several times during that game as well. In fairness Vidal should have seen red earlier and Real were denied a clear penalty, Ramos’s own goal was offside. But in extra-time Real rah rampant. Ramos sending a cross that Ronaldo converted. Marcelo who had saved 2 goals earlier in the game went on a spectacle run and set up Ronaldo’s hat-trick. Marco Asensio finished off the night with a solo goal of his own.

1. Real 4-Juve 1 CL final Thid game was the culmination of a dynasty. The final piece of a brilliant season. Juve started off better. Navas najibf a great save from Pjanic, Varane and Ranos had to clear many balsa. However on the first attack Real had they scored off a team move finished off by Ronaldo. Juve equalized off a great goal by Manzkudic. Real held on until the half, being outplayed by Juve. Second half was a clinic, Casemito scored a long range deflected goal. Ronaldo scored a poachers goal 3 minutes later to make It 3-1. Then Asensio finished it off with a nice strike after great work by Marcelo.

Moments of the season
5. Real winning the Club World Cup: Behind a magical performance by Benzema and Ronaldo’s finishing Real were world champs for a fifth time.

4. Benzema’s dribble vs. Atleti: Real were 2-0 down at Atleri. They had outplayed Real and were one goal from a miracle and Keelung the score. But in the 40th minute Karim Benzema maligned throughout the season dribbles at the end line past 3 defenders. 3 of the best defenders on the planet I might add. Passed the ball to Kroos who shot it, the rebound landed to Isco and boom the two wad over. Real were in another final!

3. Real’s 40 game unbeaten streak: Real fans do seem to forget that there was a 40 game unbeaten run Rhis season. The 40th game was memorable. Sevilla took a 1-0 lead thanks to a Danilo own-goal. Asensio scored a brilliant solo-goal to level the score at 1-1. However Jovetic and Iborra sensed to give Sevilla an unassuaged lead. Casilla was fantastic making big saves, Real emerge going through but the uneaten steak would end at 39. Nope. Casemiro warned a penalty in which Sergio Ranos converted. Then I the large minute of added time Benzema had a great rub and his shot deflected into the net! 3-3 and Real had broken Barca’s record for longest unbeaten streak. 40 GANES unbeaten.

2. Real won La Liga: 5 years without a league for Real is like an eternity. But on a great day in Malaga they for the job done. Isco’s perfect pass set up Ronaldo who rounded the keeper to make it 1-0. Navas made great saved including a great one off Sandro’s free-kick. In the second half Benzema added a second bubbling in a corner. 2-0 hand over title sealed. Real fans could finally celebrate being champions of Spain again.

1. 3-1 on the final 30 minutes of the CL final: When Ronaldo made it 3-1 it gave Real fans a half-hour to celebrate in the moment what the team had done. It was surreal like a dream like state. It want the fact that Real were European Chanoions they did that already. It was that the team dominated they made it look easy. That half-hour was indescribable. It was like heaven on top of heaven. It wasn’t a euphoria like the Decima, or relief like the Undecima, but it was pride. Pride that the club returned to where it was once was, in the early 2000’s and in the 1950’s qbd 1960’s atop the footballing world. It was perfection and you just enjoy the moment. This run might never be equalled. This is why this final was special, this season was amazing. But that realization that this team is a dynasty was the moment where I felt like I never wanted to leave that moment. It was too good, it was Real Madrid.

Real Madrid the imperfect dynasty

 

Real Madrid are champions of Europe again. They put on a show against Juventus in Cardiff destroying them 4-1. Ronaldo was brilliant scoring twice. Casemiro played well and scored the winner albeit with a deflection. Asensio capped the off the night with a 4th Madrid goal. The perfect night was complete Real has its Duodecima 3 years after winning the Decima, 1 year after winning the Undecima. This team is a dynasty, but not just any dynasty. It is one of contradictions and imperfections. One of records and lowlights. One that has lows and highs. An unlikely dynasty built on winning y nada mas.

The DJ Khaled song “All I do is Win” sums up this Real team. “All I do is win, win, win, no matter what…and they stay there. Because all I do is win” Real win, playing badly or well. They “stay there” at the top, because all they do is win. They don’t have a discernible style, like the Milan of the late 80’s, early 90’s, the Ajax team if the 1970’s the Barca team under Pep, or even Real’s golden age in the 1950’s. They won using various formations, players, styles, and performed inconsistently at times.
They could play well and badly in the same game but they are winners. The club just wins, the mentality is the club’s strength, depth is another. The most important is the the flexibility of the team. They don’t panic under duress, thru grown and adopt. They don’t have one style, they have several.

The first CL of the three, they began by blowing away teams. They beat Schalke 9-2 on aggregate, Bayern 5-0 on aggregate. But they survived tough moments too, they were losing 2-0 at Dortmund at half-tone. Many lesser teams eod have buckled and lost by a heavier margin. Not Real. Behind an inspired Casillas and Casemiro’s impact as a sub they held on to win the tie 3-2 on aggregate, in the final they faced Atletico and allowed an early goal by Godin. Iker Casillas made a terrible error. Instead of sulking and letting it bother them, the players outplayed Atleti. But an equalizer wouldn’t come. 92 minutes had passed, it looked like Real would fall in the final hurdle. Until Luka Modric’s corner met Sergio Ramos and boom the game was tied at 1-1! Now the game wasn’t over, Real had to win it. Atleti held then scoreless in the first half of extra time. In the second half the gates hurst open. Di Maria’s run and shot forced Courtiouis into a save and then Bale headed it home. The game was all but over, Marcelo and Ronaldo added 2 more goals and the game finished 4-1. Real had done it they finally won the Decima. 12 years of hurt disappeared in a moment. The team used the 4-3-3 formation. High-octane counter-attacking machine and they destroyed opponents, scoring 41 times in the CL run. They also won the Copa Del Rey beating Barca 2-1. A double to savor in 2014. But the heft season the dynasty would stop to a halt.

In 2014-2015 Real wok the UEFA Super Cuo and Club World Cuo, had a 22 game winning streak, scored 116 league goals and yet had a bad season. The defense wasn’t great, Casillas was off and they failed to win a major trophy. In the Champions League they reached the semis only to lose to Juve 3-2 on aggregate. Carlo Ancelotti was sacked and the dynasty looked like it ended.

Rafa Benitez took over and lasted 6 months. The style of football was negative and stale switching from a 4-3-3 to a 4-5-1 at times. The nadir was getting humiliated 4-0 to Barca at home. They were dominated by Barca who looked like confound their dominance with Neymat and Suarez and Messi destroying Madrid. When Zidane took over January few expected him to revive theme . Real at this point they were the embarrassment of European football. Shambolic mess of a club. Zidane fixed things by being go more pragmatic, making the front 3 work harder. Using set-pieces, putting Casemiro in the staring lineup. The team didn’t win the league but they came damn close finishing 1 PIINT behind Barca. They ended Barca’s 39 game uneaten run and won the last 12 league games. In the Champions league their more defensive approach paid do ends. They beat Roma 4-0 on aggregate, Wolfsburg 3-2 on aggregate and Mqn City 1-0 to reach another final. Atleti stood in their way and Zidane player smart. When Real scored to make it 1-0 instead of stretching themselves to kill the game off, they say back and defended. Although Atleti equalized and took the game to penalties, Real had changed inn the counter that were missed. In the end Real won 5-3 on pk’s to win the Undecima. Many derided the win as lucky. Real for an easy draw and they didn’t play well. However they scored 28 goals and only alluded 6 goals. They allowed the least hunger of goals for a CL winner, so Zidane’s more defensive tactics worked. A more balanced 4-3-3 with Casemiro along with Modric and Krois better defensively. Navas was a great replacement for Casillas in goal and had a great season. Vasquez, Isco, Danilo, Nacho were important bench players to help the team. The BBC up front were in great form and were vital to another European win. However the 4-3-3 went used nearly as much in the latest CL win.

Due to injuries to Ronaldo and Bale Zidane used the 4-3-3 much less. Instead he used a 4-3-1-2 formation with Isco or Asensio or James replacing one of the front 3. But the 4-3-3 was used early in with Vasquez instead of Bale or CR7. The team despite being unconvincing started off the season being uneaten in the first 27 games. They set a Spanish record for going 40 games without a loss. They had great comebacks. Scoring late goals to beat Sporting twice, avoid defeat at Legia to get out of the group. Late Ramos goal helped Real win the UEFA Super Cup. Two Ronaldo goals in extra time helped Real win another world title. In the knockout stages of the acL, they flew pass t Napoli 6-2 on aggregate, controversially beat Bayern 6-4 on aggregate, then pummeled Atleti 4-2 on aggregate to reach another final. In the league they finished 1st earning 93 points. Yet they failed to Barca and scored less goals than Barca and had the 4th best defense in Spain. But late miracles in the beginning of the season were replaced by dominance at at the end of the season. They win using great depth of their squad that’s how they navigated two fronts. They played attacking football, not being as pragmatic and going for it. Real wanted to outs ire the opponents and keep the ball. Against Juve they win because they kept the ball. Isco replaced Bale in the lineup and helped Real become less defensive. They became stylish attacking and defended well. Ramos and Varane shut down Dybala and Huguain. Carvajal and Marcelo bombed downbl the wings. Modric, Krois, Isvo held and passed the ball. Casemiro cleaned up any news. Benzema oases the ball and acted like a decoy. Ronaldo was the finisher. The second-half in Cardiff was perfection. But the first half won them the game. Juve despite outplaying Real couldn’t take the lead. Navas denied Pjanic superbly. Varane and Ramis were superb. Ronaldo took his one chance. Real were only scored upon due to a Manzkudic wonder goal. Juve were deflated, they couldn’t handle the fact that Real can get outplayed and survive. Then when Real came to life the game was over. 4-1 just like in 2014, except this time the score matched the game. They deserved to win this way. They cemented themselves in Cardiff as a dynasty. This was no fluke, back to back CL winners, 3 in 4 years. Both feats haven’t been accomplished in the CL era. Back to back CL haven’t been done since AC Milan in 1989-90. 3 CL in 4 years hadn’t been done since Bayern won 3 in a row from 1974-76. They were the first team to win a CL being the group runner-up since Inter in 2010. They have been to the CL semis a record 7 straight years. They have lost 6 games total in the CL since 2013-14. They have won 14 of the last 15 CL ties. They have been the kings of Europe in the past but Real have been unreal lately. Yet they aren’t perfect.

Real only won 2 domestic titles since 2013, 1 Cup, 1 League. They haven’t done as well domestically lately. They have no identifiable style. Yet they always score, 65 games in a row. They have set a Spanish record for longest winning streak and unbeaten streak. They have the won the last 8 one-off finals. They eliminated the German and Italian champions to win a CL. In 2014, they beat the Italian, German, and Spanish champs to win it. In 2016 they beat the French champs and the city rivals to win a CL. They can play well and they win but they don’t need to. They have won 9 trophies since 2913-14, and that’s why they are dynasty. After all all theyy do is win, win, no matter what.