Trust and Faith
Real Madrid did not enter the Champions League as a favorite. Surprisingly, they never appeared at the top during the playoff phase. For Carlo Ancelotti and his squad, the path to the trophy proved exceptionally tough, facing PSG, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool in succession.
Madrid faced moments of danger in all three two-leg ties. Against PSG, they surrendered an away goal and trailed heading into the second half, yet Karim Benzema produced a rapid hat-trick to steer the team toward victory.
The match against Chelsea showcased Madrid at their best on the road, winning 3-1, but a collapse in their home leg erased the lead and left the team fighting to stay alive in the final minutes. A prompt equalizer from Rodrigo kept the dream alive, and Benzema sealed the deal in extra time.
The clash with Manchester City was extraordinary. Madrid conceded three in the away leg yet escaped with a single goal deficit, and they faced another setback at home in the 73rd minute. Rodrigo and Benzema combined to push the tie into extra time, where a decisive penalty sequence changed the course of the contest.
In the final against Liverpool, Real Madrid focused on defense and offered only one on-target attempt. Still, Vinicius Junior delivered the decisive strike, and Benzema’s questionable goal controversy from earlier did not derail the triumph. The team’s journey fueled talk about miracles, yet the consistency and resilience shown across the playoffs highlighted a squad capable of handling immense pressure from one knock-out round to the next.
Madrid’s strength lies in a refusal to surrender and a belief that chances can be created at any moment. Confidence among the players is a critical ingredient as well. The club’s history, traditions, and championship mindset contribute to this mental edge. Pre-final talk from Thibaut Courtois reflected a quiet confidence, and he delivered with key saves when it mattered most.
This belief is built on multiple factors, including the club’s stature, its culture of winning, and the experience of the current squad. The coach also plays a pivotal role. Reports from insiders suggest Ancelotti pledged to win the Champions League in a meeting with Florentino Perez after a difficult El Clasico defeat, a vow that aligned with the season’s successful outcomes, including a domestic title triumph.
carlo anchelotti
A coach figure of influence holds substantial sway. In an era dominated by tactical specialists, Ancelotti remains a veteran who proves effective. Analysts note Real Madrid’s ability to disrupt opponents by pushing them into chaos, a trait that the Italian manager has honed. This approach, paired with strategic adjustments across key fixtures, often yields superior performances.
The season demonstrated that Ancelotti’s plans frequently outmaneuver opponents, especially when adapting to evolving match conditions. His substitutions and tactical shifts often transformed difficult situations into winning outcomes, including in away matches against Chelsea and City.
The encounter with Manchester City illustrated a clear gap in home performance in favor of the English side, yet Ancelotti’s decisions helped Real Madrid restore balance and seize control when the momentum shifted. In the final against Liverpool, a measured, ambitious plan combined with calculated risk created the path to victory, even as the contest carried a level of complexity.
team class
Madrid controlled the ball and exploited Liverpool’s famous high-pressing game, especially in the middle of the pitch. They opted for quick, short passes to bypass press and retain possession, avoiding costly giveaways. When opportunities appeared, the team acted decisively to launch dangerous counterattacks, steering the match toward their preferred outcome.
The success relied on a group of elite performers who could deliver under pressure. Veterans like Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Casemiro, and Federico Valverde, along with the versatile Eduardo Camavinga, offered a level of poise and technical mastery that defined the midfield. Their awareness and ball-handling ability allowed the squad to execute the match plan with precision.
In this context, Real Madrid demonstrated how a well-drilled unit can translate theory into victory under the guidance of a perceptive manager.
Thibaut Courtois
Victory owed much to the extraordinary performances of Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian goalkeeper had been outstanding throughout the season and continued to stand tall in the final, delivering crucial saves at decisive moments.
Courtois faced the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane with composure. He produced a rapid, reactive stop as Salah struck from a dangerous position and repelled a powerful effort near the post later in the match. His form at this stage cemented his status as one of the world’s premier goalkeepers.
At the peak of his powers, Courtois appeared as a defining factor in Real Madrid’s success, a testament to his consistency and clutch performances when the stakes were highest.
Karim Benzema and Vinicius
This season’s Ballon d’Or conversations are centered on Karim Benzema, who at 34 emerged as the league’s top scorer with 27 goals and matched the club’s Champions League record with 15 goals in a single campaign. His influence extends beyond goals as he orchestrates attacks and connects play across the front line.
Injury did briefly threaten his impact, but Benzema’s presence remained a constant. His partnership with Vinicius Junior blossomed into a prolific chemistry that kept opposing defenses under constant pressure. The duo found the back of the net in the final as well, even though an earlier goal by the captain was ruled out.
Vinicius contributed four goals and six assists throughout the tournament, often breaking through at speed and creating scoring chances for Benzema. The combination of Benzema’s finishing with Vinicius’s pace gave Madrid a dynamic edge, complemented by Rodrigo’s timely contributions to round out a formidable attacking trio.
With such a potent three-pronged attack, Real Madrid demonstrated their capacity to contend for major trophies, even as the road to victory demanded resilience and collective effort across every phase of the competition.