UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid’s Long Journey In The ‘Wasteland’
Several years have passed since the Spanish powerhouse last had to play for the Champions League’s quarterfinals. Probably, questions related to this bizarre fact lie over the mystery of how they kept crushing out of the competition repeatedly at the same stage. Below, we take a brief look at all the campaigns of Los Merengues in Europe, from September 2003 to their disqualification last season.
UEFA Champions League 2003/04 season: Crushed in the quarterfinals
Seven seasons ago, Real Madrid began their European campaign in Group F; a group containing the likes of FC Porto, Marseille, and Partizan. The Spanish giants convincingly topped their group with 14 points after six games played—three points ahead of the Portuguese giants. Los Blancos then faced Bayern Munich in the ensuing stage of the competition, only to crush the Germans 2-1 on aggregate. Their run however came to an end in the quarterfinals, subsequent to a defeat on away goals to French side AS Monaco. Mysteriously, it was their last year in the Last 8.
UEFA Champions League 2004/05: The Last 16 curse begins...
The next season, Real Madrid had to endure even harder moments in the Champions League. Being placed in Group B along with Bayer Leverkusen, AS Roma and Dynamo Kyiv, the Castellans could only secure the second position with the same amount of points as the German leaders, but with a weaker goal difference. Next, Real went through the challenge of facing Juventus in the Last 16; nonetheless, they were not quite successful in their mission against the Italians.
Although they stood their ground at the Bernabeu in front of 75,000 spectators to defeat their opponents 1-0, they went down 2-0 away from home—eventually destroying the advantage they acquired in the first leg. This was the start of a new dreadful era in the Champions League for the Madridistas.
UEFA Champions League 2005/06: The damage continues...
That particular season also saw Real Madrid finish in the second place of their group—this time—behind Olympique Lyonnais, who led their table with 16 points. Despite the fact that Los Merengues were only able to gather 10 points out of their six games in the group stages, they were expected to undergo a fairly balanced match against Arsenal FC in the Last 16.
Indeed, neither team had full authority over the other in their two-legged meeting, but the surprising aspect of both games in the end was Real Madrid’s incapability to net a single goal against their English fighters. Los Blancos finally went on to lose their quarterfinals tickets, following a 1-0 defeat on aggregate.
UEFA Champions League 2006/07: No progress
Again, Real Madrid were placed against Lyon in the group stages. Just as the previous season, Los Blancos did not find the key to dominate their French table contenders, but they still survived with 11 points in the long run. Finishing ahead of Steaua Bucuresti and Dynamo Kyiv, Madrid advanced to the Last 16, and there, their Champions League hopes came to an end on another occasion.
A hungry Bayern Munich side fought with all their might in an attempt to take their revenge against the club that disqualified them three seasons ago at the very same stage of the contest. Ultimately though, both sides had to settle for a 4-4 draw on aggregate, but it was the Spanish who were the unluckily side, being penalized by the rule of away goals.
UEFA Champions League 2007/08: Destroyed by AS Roma
In view of the accumulating disturbing memories that dwelled in the minds of Real Madrid fans, the Galacticos were well obliged to bounce back and cross the Round of 16 in the 2007/08 season. Somehow though, they failed to complete their mission for the fourth year in a row.
Obviously, it was not the group stages which posed them an obstacle, as they finish as leaders of Group C with 11 points. Their subsequent opponents AS Roma, nevertheless, seemed to be their real impediment. The Italians defeated Los Merengues 2-1 in both legs, pushing Real towards another “early” exit.
UEFA Champions League 2008/09: Humiliated by Liverpool
When it comes to Real Madrid’s 2008/09 Champions League campaign, it is not the part where they topped Group H along with Juventus with 12 points that arises in the minds and hearts of football followers. Rather, it is the manner in which the then-defending La Liga champions were knocked out that remains a historic moment—although, negatively from their prospect.
A two-legged Last 16 match against Liverpool was normally anticipated to be a tight battle empowered by brilliant displays and suspense. Yet surprisingly, the second-leg encounter, especially, was far from the public’s expectations. Having beaten Los Blancos 1-0 at the Bernabeu, Liverpool went on to finish them 4-0 in the return leg at Anfield to close the fixture with an unforgettable 5-0 score line on aggregate.
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UEFA Champions League 2009/10: Deceived by money
A revolutionized Real Madrid side then containing the likes of superstars Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Kaka, Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa was compelled to send the team back in contention for the European title. At first, good signs were shown by the Galacticos as they surpassed AC Milan in Group C’s final rankings with 13 points.
In spite of that, at the moment when everything was put on the line, they sadly failed to deliver. In the Last 16 stage, Madrid met dominant side Olympique Lyonnais, who wasted no time in ruling with a benefitting 1-0 home victory in the first leg. The return leg saw the Castellans score early at the Bernabeu through Ronaldo; however, a second-half equalizer from Pjanic shattered the hosts’ dreams of progressing into the quarterfinals.
Real Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur: After A Defeat To Sporting Gijon
Winning the match preceding a Champions League test is always ideal for any club, as this has a positive effect on the moral, and authenticates plans and ideas in preparation as well. In Los Merengues’ case, they do not have much to strengthen themselves with, prior to their clash against Tottenham Hotspur.
Los Blancos shockingly went down by a goal to nil against lowly side Sporting Gijon at home over the weekend, in a match that was “more important than the Real Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur encounter” according to Jose Mourinho’s description. Well, Spurs are understandably more dangerous than Gijon, and also do they have a set of better players. What will be next for Real then, in a less important game against a stronger side?
Real Madrid vs Tottenham: Brief Team News And Real Madrid Players To Watch
Fernando Gago, Angel Di Maria, Pedro Leon and Karim Benzema have all been declared unfit to face Spurs on Tuesday evening. Surprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo and Ricardo Kaka were seen on the training pitch for Real Madrid on Monday morning, after making rapid recoveries from their injuries. A report on the club’s official website stated that all three men—previously suffering from a hamstring tear, a bruised right ribcage and liotibial band syndrome respectively—‘trained at the same pace as their teammates and look to be ready for action.’
This is nothing but good news for fans of the 2011 Copa del Rey finalists ahead of the Real Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur clash, and should the three stars start for the team, then the Londoners could be in for a harsh ride. In front of around 80,000 spectators, Spurs will be coerced to resist the likes of well-renowned superstars who have not failed to show their talents over the years. Below, we take a look at five dangerous Real Madrid players who could emerge as the deadliest weapons on Tuesday evening.
Gonzalo Higuain
He is definitely a player any defender would want to keep an eye on. The Argentinean striker—who is normally the effective leader of his team’s front—had a disrupted season following a back injury, but he has high chances of marking his return at European level with a goal against Real’s English visitors. Higuain currently has 2 goals in 4 Champions League starts for Los Blancos, and one could expect him to extend his tally in his very next appearance.
Emmanuel Adebayor
Facing Tottenham Hotspur obviously requires a bit of English Premier League experience, and forward Emmanuel Adebayor just happens to be the man in position to deal without difficulty with the Spurs defence. The former Togolese international scored one of his most popular club career goals back in September 2007 against the Lilywhites during his times at Arsenal, and who knows, he could repeat this attainment for Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on his next chance.
Cristiano Ronaldo
If ever Cristiano Ronaldo participates in the Real Madrid vs Tottenham encounter, then contra fans will have reasons to entertain fears in their hearts. It is apparently useless to remind about Ronaldo’s experiences against the Lilywhites during his glorious days at the senior Manchester United football club. Being already the reason for a possibly destabilized psychology in the opposition, CR’s presence could be the source of a pleasant result for Jose Mourinho—not to mention the winger’s numerous abilities.
Sergio Ramos
Spanish defender Sergio Ramos was regarded as a flop in his side’s 1-0 defeat to Sporting Gijon on Saturday. He eventually has much to prove in the Real Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur match, and his determination to shine could be a real sign of danger for the ‘British army’. In his good days, Ramos is very likely to transform himself into the rock of the Madrid defence, while he is also liable to score precious headers from set pieces. With this in mind, Harry Redknapp’s attackers and back players will be looking to use creativity as the central part of their shields.
Iker Casillas
The World Cup winner is Real’s last line of defence. He knows how delicate his task will be against Spurs in the UEFA Champions League’s quarterfinals, and ruining his moments would cost him more than he currently owns. Surely, there will be no space for gaffes or any other type of mistakes.
His reflex, ball contact and jumping skills will all be put to the test, and it is on him that his team will partly depend. Whether good or bad, his performance will be key in determining the outcome of Real Madrid in the competition this season; but no matter what he does, fans will be hoping that collective efforts will be satisfying enough to ensure that their title dreams remain alive.
