The comeback that started a dynasty: Remembering Real Madrid’s epic fight back against Wolfsburg

By Joao Cunha

On this day four years ago, Real Madrid faced Wolfsburg in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Real lost the first leg 2-0 and needed to win by 3 goals to advance to the semifinals. On that fateful day, April 12th, 2016 the Bernabeu would witness a magical comeback.

Some context before the game. Real were chasing Barcelona in La liga and ir was unlikely they would win it. The Champions League was the easiest path for a major trophy that season for Real. Zinedine Zidane who took over the club midsession and knew the only way to guarantee he would stay for the next season was to win a title. A trophy less season with an elimination to Wolfsburg would have likely seen Zidane fired at the end of the season. In addition to this the team if they didn’t win anything that season they would go two seasons without a big title and that meant that a rebuild would likely have happened. The likes of Benzema, Isco, Navas, Casemiro could have been sold to make room for other players. It could have been the end of the era at Real Madrid. So that Tuesday night in Madrid was literally THE turning point in Madrid’s dynasty. A win could launch their dynasty, a defeat would end it before it began. The game was legacy defining.

Of course in a game of this magnitude it needed a hero. There was only one man for the job: Cristiano Ronaldo. With a deflected cross by Carvajal Ronaldo tapped it in to make it 1-0. The comeback was on. A few minutes later a corner by Toni Kroos was converted by a fantastic Ronaldo header. 2-0 Real Madrid and in the iconic words of Peter Drury: “there’s only one favorite now. “

However Wolfsburg reacted well and forced Keylor Navas to make a big save on Luiz Gustavo. Real Madrid went to the half time level on aggregate and needing one more goal to advance to the semis. The second half was tight as Wolfsburg created half-chances and if they scored one they would likely go through. Ramos and Pepe shut down the threat. From another corner Ramos hit the crossbar and Benaglio made a save to clear it off the line. As the game headed to extra-time Morric earned a free-kick outside the box. This was the chance to win the game and advance. It was up to Cristiano Ronaldo to tahr the free-kick.

Looking back at this game I remember it as it was yesterday and the moment Ronaldo took the fateful free-kick was the most memorable part of the game. Ronaldo struggles to score free-kicks that season and was criticized by the media for his conversion rate. Yet knowing this I don’t think any of his teammates, coaches or fans wanted any other player to take the free-kick. I knew he would score from there that night because it seemed like destiny. When Ronaldo’s free kick parted the Wolfsbirg wall and found a way past Benaglio the tie was sealed. Real Madrid 3-0 Wolfsburg. Real Madrid created a few more chances but Benaglio denied Benzema and Jesé. But it didn’t matter Real Madrid had done it. To quote Peter Drury, “The history boys, the fantasy club, the 10-time champions have gone abs done it. Courtesy of their magician in chief. Beyond remarkable.”

It was beyond remarkable it was Real’s first European comeback in 14 years. It was their first multi-goal comeback in 29 years. And Cristiano Ronaldo was the leader of the comeback, he saved the dynasty with his will and goals. He said to the fans before the game it would be a magical night and he delivered. With a hat-trick he helped cement himself as the best player in the world and the leader of this Real Madrid side. As Peter Drury said after the game, “Nights like these make this competition magical.” The magic was just beginning as Real Madrid beat City in the semis and Atletico in the final to win its eleventh Champions league. They would go on to win the next two Champions Leagues as well. This game was the start of a dynasty. Zidane would go on to win 10 titles at Real Madrid. Without that night in Madrid none of the success would have happened. It returned the mythology of the Bernabeu and the remontadas of the 1980’s. The Bernabeu became a fortress again and after that night the greatest European dynasty in the modern era was created. As for Wolfsburg they never returned to those heights battling relegation. They must always wonder what would have been “if it weren’t for one brilliant Portuguese.” (Peter Drury)

Ranking the 10 best Brazilian sides of the 2000’s

I am ranking the top-10 Brazilian soccer sides of the 2000’z from 2000 to 2009. This is my personal opinion and I devised a points system based on achei events. International success is more important than national success and state rules are the least important. Teams are punished  for relegation and staying in the second division.

Point totals

150 World Title

100 World title without a Libertqdores

100 Libertadores

75 League title

60 Copa Do Brasil

55 Copa Mercosul or Sul-americana

45 Copa dos Campeao

35 Recopa Sul-americana

30 State titles

20 Regional titles (Rio-SaonPaulo, Sul-Monas)

15 Losing a final in a World title game

-50 relegation

-25 staying in Serie B past the first year being relegated

10. Gremio

Trophies won: 1 Copa so Brasil: 60 points, 3 state titles: 90 points. 1 relegation: -50 points. Total:: 100 points

Gremio had a very inconsistent decade. The first few years were successful winning a state title and Copa do Brazil in 2001. However the loss in the semifinals of the libertadores to Olímpia and missing out on the league in 2002 damaged the club. In 2004 they were relegated to Serie B and only were promoted after dramatic 1-0 over Náutico. (Grêmio were down to 7 men and comedes two penalties and still win the game.) In 2006 and 2007 they win 2 more state titles but sadly won no major titles after. They did get to the final l: of the libertadores on 2007 only to lose the final to Boca Juniors. A decade of highs and lows ended with a mid table finish in 2009.

9. Fluminense

Trophies won: 1 Copa só Brazil:!60 points, 2 state titles: 60 points. Total: 120 points.

After suffering the worst decade in the clubs history in the 1990’s Flu came back strong in the 2000’s. In the first few years they competência to win the league and fell short in 2001 and 2002. Hiwedwe Flu did win the Carioca in 2002,58 win their fist trophy in 7 years. In 2005 Flu won yet another Carioca and reached the Copa do Brazil final where they would lose to surprise winners Paulista. On 2007 they win the Cppa do Brazil beating Figueirense 1-0 on the road with a goal by Roger Machado. In 2008 Flu reached the final of the libertadores only to lose to LDU on penalties. In 2009 they reached the final of the Sulanericana to lose yet another final to LDU, had they won either final they would be higher on the post. But they did avoid relegation in 2009 with a remarkable recovery staying up on the final day in 2009. Overall a solid decade for Flu.

8. Vasco da Gama

Trophies won: 1 league title: 75 points, 1 Cooa Mercosul: 55 points, 1 stare title: 30 points , 1 World final appearance:?15 points, 1 relegation: -50 Lolita. Total: 125 points

Vasco began the decade with rheir best ever side. Vasco reached 5 finals that year losing the Club World Cup final to Corinthians. They beat Manchester Unites 3-1 in the tournament. They won the Mercosul in 2000 beating Vasco in a remarkable final where they beat Palmeiras 4-3 after trailing 3-0 at halftime. Romario and Juninho Paulosta scores the four goals in the final. Vasco won the league in 2000 beating São Caetano 3-1 in the  final, After 2001 it’s been a downhill as Vasco won one state title and nothing else: In 2008 they were relegated for the first time in 2008 against Vitória. They did get promoted in 2009 winning Serie B but this decade that started so brightly finished off so poorly.

7. Santos

Trophies won: 2 league titles: 150 points, 2 state titles: 60 points. Total; 210 points.

Santos after two decades of relative underachievement returned to prominence in the 200’s. Tbehibf an excellent generation of young players with Diego, Elano, and Robinho won the league twice in 2002 and 2004. They beat Corinthians in the final of the 2002 league title 5-2 over two legs, and pipped Athletico-PR on the final day in 2004. In 2003 they lost the final of the libertadores to Boca Juniors. In 2006 they won the first state title since 1982 and they repeated the feat in 2007. Santos had plenty of domestic and state success but lacked the international success.

6: Athletico-Parananese 

Trophies won: 1 league title: 75 points, 5 state titles: 150 points. Total; 225 points.

The most successful decade in Athletico’s history as they dominated the state championships winning 5 titles in 10 years. But the real achievements came in the league where they won the league in 2001 beating São Caetqno in the final behind an inspired Alex. In 2004 they narrowly lost the league to Santos. But in 2005 they reached the final of the libertadores beating Santos he route to the final, they would lose to São Paulo but has a great decade,

5. Corinthians

Trophies won: 1 World title without libertadores: 100 points 1 league title: 75 points, 2 copa do Brazil 120 points, 3 state titles: 90 points, 1 Copa Rio-São Paulo: 20 points 1 relegation: -50 points. Total:  355 points

Corinthiana had a remarkable decade full of success and controversy, they opened up the decade winning the 2000 FIFA Club World Cup despite not winning the libertadores Which in my view should cost then some points. But they had to get results against Real Madrid and Vasco so they get 100 points. They followed it up with 2 Paulista titles (01, 03), 1 Copa Rio-São Paulo and Copa do Brazil (both in 2002). They lost the league title to Santos in 2002 but rotated back three years later to win a league title over Inter, a very. Controversial league title but led by Tevez, Mascherano, Nilmar they won the only league title of the decade, In 2007 they suffered a shock relegation to Serie B and were in danger of financial ruin. Bit thanks to some financial and marketing deals they won Serie B and re-establishes themselves in 2009 in Serie A, they won the Paulostnd Copa do Brazil in 2009 and sealed up the decade in style, Led by Ronaldo, Elias, Chicao, and Andre Santos they beat Inter once again to win the Copa title, Failure in the libertadores and relegation were the only things that marred an otherwise art sine decade for the Tinao,

4. Flamengo

Trophies won: 1 league title: 75 points, 1 Copa so Brazil: 60 points, 1 Copa dos Campeao: 45 points, 6 state titles: 180 points. Total: 360 points

Flamengo had a decade of extreme highs and lows. Despite flirting with relegation for half the decade Flamengo did manage to stay up and consolidate themselves as a title winning machine. In 2000 and 2001 they won 2 cariocas over Vacbo including the famous Petkovic goal in 2001 that clinched the famous three-peat of stdate titles. They also won the Copa dia campeão over São Paulo in 2001 winning their first national title in 9 years. In 2004 they win another Carioca again over Vasco but suffered a humbling defeat to Santos Andre in the final of the Copa do Brazil, Afyer nearly getting relegated in 2005 Fla returned to have a string final 4 years of the decade, they won the Copa do Brazil in 2006 once again beating Vasco on the final. From 2007 to 2009 they won another three straight cativas beating Botafogo in all 3 finals, In 2009 after a slow start Fla won a miraclaois league title on the final day beating Gremio 2-1. Once again led by Petkovic, Adriano they overcame a 11-point deficit to pip Inter for the league crown, (Flano ou led 2 rounds the final 2 of the championship.) Fla’s one weakness was internationally losing a Mercosul final to San Lorenzo on penalties. Also suffering many libertadores humiliations to America and Defensor Sporting. Despite this shortcomings they dominated the region and were a force domestically,

3: Cruzeiro

Trophies won: 1 league title: 75 points, 2 Copa do Brazil title;  120 points, 5 state titles; 150 points, 2 Copa sul-monas: 40 points, Total: 385 points

Cruzaria had a remarkable decade winning a staggering 10 trophies. 5 state titles and 2 Copa- Sul Minas led to a total hegemony at the state level. Bit their domestic success was great. They won the 2000 Copa do Brazil with a dramatic last minute goal by Geovanni. Bit the spec of the team was in 2003 when they won a treble of state, cup abc league titles. Led by Alex they won the league with ease and humiliated Flamengo in the copa do Brazil final. The only thing Cruzeiro lacked was international silverware losing 2-1 at home against Estudiantes in the libertadores, That would have elevated this tram into another level but they were a great side nonetheless.

2. Internacional

Trophies won: 1 World title; 150 points, 1 libertadores:100 points, 1 Copa Sul-Americana: 55 points, 1 Recopa Sul-americana: 35 points, 6 state titles: 1&0 points. Total; 520 points

Inter were the most dominant side in terms of international success in Brazil during the decade. They won the libertadores with a stunning victory over defending champions São Paulo. They won the Coub World Cip topping Barcelona 1-0 thanks to Adriano Ganiru’s late winner. That team led by Fernandão, Clemer, Tinga? Rafael Sobis, and young Alexandre Pato were incredible in international events. They won the 2007 recopa sul-americana and the 2008 Copa sul-americana in 2008 with an extra-time winner by Nilmar against Estudiantes. They also dominated the state winning six state championships, but their failure to win any domestic titles cost then the top spot. Had they won any domestic silverware they would be number 1, They lost the league in 2005 to Vorihthisbs and lost the league to Flamengo 4 years later. They also lost a controversial Copa do Brazil final in 2009 to Corinthians as well which sealed their place as the second best team in the decade.

1. Sao Paulo

Trophies won; 1 World title: 150 points, 1 libertadores title: 1000 points, 3 league titles: 225 points, 2 state tilles: 60 points? 1 Copa Rio-São Paulo: 20 points. Total: 555 points.

São Paulo were the class of the decade winning every tips of title possible. They started off the decade by winning the state title in 2000 and Roo-São Paulo in 3001. Although they suffered two defeats in national cios ti Cruzeiro in 2000 and Flamengo in 2001 it wouldn’t ato them from dominating. With a team led by Rogério Veni, Josué, Ligaho São Paulo win the state title over Corinthians in 20hey also won the libertadores and world title, in the world title game they beat Liverpool 1-0 behind a goal by Moniero and a magical performance by Crjo who saved everything in sight that day. São Paulo won theee league titles in a row with the he addition of Hernanes and Miranda to that team, in 2009 they only lost the league by 3 points denying them a four-peat of league crowns. For that they are the team of the decade.

addressing some controversies, Sport in terms of titles wii is old have ranked in the top-10 in fact they style have been eight if I just counted titles plus relegation l. But they stayed 5 years in the second division therefore I docked them 1000 points for that. I don’t think you can be a top-10 dose in every country abs spend half the decade in the second division. The Copa dos Campeaowz is ranked at 45 points because it was seen as a national title and awarded winner a berth in the libertadores. Despite it only lasting 3 years it had a relevance and it was only canceled because the CBF changed the calendar in 2003. The state titles. E suas they lasted longer than regional titles so o added an extra 10 points to winning the state titles. Plus regional titles mostly ended with the 2003 change in calendar.

extra teams

Botafogo

Trophiws won: 1 state title: 30 points, 1 relegation. Total -20 points

Thw worst decade in Botafogo’s history began with a shock relegation in 2002. They did win promotion in 2003 but never finished in a libertadores place or fought for the league. They did win the Carioca in 2006 but never won any more titles thus having a miserable 10 years.

Atletico-Mineiro

Triohkws won: 2 state titles: 60 points, 1 relegation: -50 points Tital: 10 points

An awful decade that only saw two major titles and a relegation in 2005. Many humbling defeats, like a 6-2 to Corinthians in 2002  a few three goal defeats to Botafogo including a 5-2 at the Minerao. The worst decade in the club’s history,

Palneiras

Trophies won: 1 Copa dos Campeao: 45 points, 1 state title: 30 points, 1 Copa Roo-São Paulo: 20 points. Total: 55 points

After a promising start the decade was one to forget for Palmeiras. After winning both the Copa Rio-São Paulo, and Care pa dos Canpeao in 2000 the club was in decline. A shock relegation in 2002 was the low point and they didn’t really recover. Only a Paulistão title in 2008 salvaged the rest of the 2000’s for the Verdão.