Real’s Path to Glory: A Force to be Reckoned With

The front runner brushes off his closest rival. A scenario that was not only reserved for the Bundesliga last Saturday. Real Madrid dismantled FC Girona according to every trick in the book, the royal steamroller crushed the upstart from Catalonia and squeezed the last spark of hope of winning the historic title out of him.

However, given the almost flawless season so far – the only two competitive defeats came against Atlético Madrid – the show of force against Girona was more of a logical consequence than a wonder of the world. And yet there was a very special spirit to the 4-0 triumph.

Because like FC Bayern Munich, Real is currently going through turbulent times. Whether it’s the incomparable injury misery in defense or the challenging upheaval in the squad – the parallels to the German record champions are striking. But the Bavarians have not yet come close to the sovereignty that the Royals show despite all the resistance.

Real shows the way: Who needs a defense?

“Today we broke the record for the most injured central defenders.” This sentence could easily have come from Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel from the first half of the season. Rather, Carlo Ancelotti was carried away by this joke after blindly throwing together his defensive line against Girona. The 64-year-old simply didn’t have any other option.

In addition to the long-term injuries David Alaba and Éder Militão (both torn cruciate ligaments), the short-term absences of Antonio Rüdiger and captain Nacho Fernández increased the personnel concerns of the Spanish record champions, who have an unusually strong preference for defense chiefs. Instead, Ferland Mendy, Daniel Carvajal, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Lucas Vázquez settled the matter. And with distinction.

Not to mention the man between the posts. As of August 2023, Andriy Lunin had only played 17 games in his five years in Madrid. Due to Thibaut Courtois’ cruciate ligament rupture, the Ukrainian was placed in the box until the arrival of Chelsea loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga. Since the latter was not completely convincing, Lunin has been considered temporary number one again since November.

With 15 goals conceded in 24 games, Real has by far the best defense in the Spanish league. A defense cursed by injuries and a plan C in goal? Los Blancos shake off all worries.

The Musketeers from Madrid: One for all, all for one!

But how is it that finding solutions in the Spanish capital runs more smoothly – and above all much calmer – than in Munich? Ancelotti refers to a well-known principle from the French writer Alexandre Dumas.

“The key to success is always to have good players who use their quality for the collective,” said the Italian. In other words: One for all, all for one!

Jude Bellingham and Carlo Ancelotti

Fotocredit: Getty Images

“Quality is the most important thing,” Ancelotti continued. “But if you combine that with commitment and attitude like today, you can play at a very high level.”

This simple concept has Real reaching for the stars once again. 18 consecutive league games unbeaten and only one defeat in the current competition (1:3 against Atlético) are Leverkusen-esque traits, while the early exit in the Spanish Cup (2:4 against Atlético) is the only negative parallel to Bayern. And there is no end to the dominance in sight.

Bellingham, Vinícius – and Mbappé? The competition’s chance was yesterday

Because as much as outsiders have wished for an upheaval in Spain’s football monarchy in recent months, the chance for this is buried somewhere in yesterday.

Real Madrid has long since paved the way to its next golden era, the midfield of the future has already anchored itself in the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Where Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos once spread fear and terror, Tchouaméni, Edouard Camavinga, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham are now scratching their hooves – with incredible diversity.

While Tchouaméni and Camavinga were able to shine as substitute defenders, Bellingham promptly became the top scorer in the Spanish league (16 goals), just a few meters from his usual regular position in Dortmund. A certain world footballer named Karim Benzema was quickly forgotten.

“Desperate emergency transfers in winter” don’t seem to exist in the vocabulary of the Madrilenians; in fact, Los Blancos are already toying with their next magicians. In addition to Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, Endrick, the next Brazilian striker, will cause a sensation from July 2024. In addition, the dream of signing superstar Kylian Mbappé should be as real as never before. The next item on the agenda for the record winners of the Champions League is on Tuesday evening, with Bundesliga team RB Leipzig waiting in the round of 16 of the premier class (from 9:00 p.m in the live ticker). There should be no doubts about sovereignty even without the injured Bellingham.

Because despite all the resistance, Real does not falter; in fact, the Royals find even greater strength under these circumstances – a quality that FC Bayern would only be too happy to take a big leaf out of.

Ancelotti after a draw in the derby: “I don’t know much about football”

2024-02-13 14:23:00
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