Toward La Decimotercera: The Secret Behind the DNA of European Champion Real Madrid
If you are looking for a secret formula of what makes Real Madrid so successful, you might get caught in an illusion.
In fact, in Madrid, there is no such thing as a revolutionary philosophy like that carried by Barcelona. There is also no claim that this game system is better than others. As his successor, Madrid in its deepest core has the desire to relentlessly pursue the trophy.
Such is the roughness of success in the Santiago Bernabeu: the ambition of chasing trophies for the trophy, and above all the Champions League.
The dismissal of Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez in fact did not make Madrid collapse. Precisely three of the last four Champions League trophy successfully disabet. Now, Madrid is on the verge of a successive hat-trick champion. Only Liverpool and 90 minutes separated them from the 13th European title. La Decimotercera.
From year to year, rich clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City carry a great ambition to conquer Europe. But they always seem to be exhausted to imitate the methodology of Madrid's success.
Madrid is a team built specifically for this competition. There is a special patch on the sleeve of the Madrid jersey that signifies their 12 trophy collection, an unmatched identity. Real Madrid and the Champions League are two inseparable elements.
"How do you describe the DNA of Real Madrid champions in the Champions League?" Manolo Sanchis one day told the story. The former Madrid defender in the 1998 final against Juventus continued, "This is what new investors do not understand in this sport. They used to buy everything with money, but not with this. "
"You can not afford to buy the 116-year-old history of Madrid, nor the legacy left behind by the legends, nor the winning genes that [Sergio] Ramos, Cristiano [Ronaldo], [Alfredo] Di Stefano and [Raymond] Kopa."
"Someone with a big check in his hand might ask himself: 'How can I buy all that success?' Well, sorry, you can not. '
History of Madrid is long and successful, but arguably Madrid's success in the modern era began in 1998, when they won the European title with Jupp Heynckes. That is Madrid's first Champions League trophy in 32 years. Since then, they have been able to win five more trophies. Success is adiktiff, victory breeding into a series of victories.
Zinedine Zidane - once a player and coach of Madrid - certainly very familiar with this mentality. That's why he realizes that whether or not their season will depend from the final in Kiev on Saturday (26/5) tomorrow. Not enough to be close to champion and try again next year. The choice is the trophy that comes or Zidane is gone.
Every player who comes to Real Madrid must understand that they must be able to stand firm on the legacy that has been built by previous era players. That's why the squad of Madrid in recent years looks so calm in the title hunt.
Such sustainability allows juniors to freely learn to become champions of their seniors. In every final played by Madrid, there will be one or two players who become the new winners. In the end, you will see a collection of winners in one team.
It creates cohesiveness, one goal, and the most crucial is confidence. Madrid did not come to the final in hopes of winning, they came to win. Regardless of the good performance of Madrid in the domestic competition, they are always a favorite every time mentas in Europe.