Real Madrid has once again proven that it has the “DNA” of the Champions League in front of Madridistas and its opponents, Bayern Munich. King Madrid broke up the Champions League final against fellow German teams. After trailing 0-1 in the 68th minute through a goal scored by substitute Alfonso Davies, Madrid managed to restore the position to 2-1 at the end of the match. With these results, King Madrid will now face another German team in the final match, Borussia Dortmund.
King Madrid’s success in advancing to the final round of the Champions League this season has made an achievement and historical record as well as establishing itself as the king of Europe at club level. According to UEFA’s records, Madrid has managed to qualify for the top match of the European Champions League 6 times (including this year) in the last 10 years of its participation. King Madrid reached the previous 5 finals in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022.
Of the 5 final matches, King Madrid emerged as champions. There’s nothing wrong with that, based on these facts, Real Madrid has dominated the European Champions League event in the last decade. This achievement shows King Madrid’s consistency on the European stage.
Then, Real Madrid became the first and only team to successfully win back to back Champions League titles with the new format, they even achieved a hat trick of winning in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
On the other hand, Madrid’s achievements are like an anomaly for other teams. Where other European clubs find it difficult to win the Big Ear trophy, whereas it is very possible for King Madrid to win it every season. In fact, the world’s top and best coach, Pep Guardiola, admits that it is very difficult to win the Champions League trophy.
When asked by a reporter about the Champions League, Pep Guardiola lightly stated that it was difficult for them to win the Champions League every year because of the presence of Madrid who always participated. Why can Real Madrid dominate the European Champions League so much? There are several factors that make Real Madrid synonymous with the king of Europe.
First, the mentality of the players, even coaches, and team staff has become ingrained in them every stage of a Champions League match. Even though their mega star players, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Casemiro, Sergio Ramos and others, have left behind, the Real Madrid team has always succeeded in regenerating and instilling “UCL DNA” in its young and new players as successors.
They often show this “UCL DNA” in Madrid’s matches on the European stage, especially the European Champions League. We can look a little further into 2022, where Real Madrid managed to make a comeback against its opponents in the Champions League Knock Out match before winning at the end of the competition.
Second, the presence of senior players on the team really helps to bridge the mentality and character of Madrid’s game. Players, such as Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal, even Nacho, can always provide examples and motivation, both on the pitch and in the dressing room. Rarely do we hear negative news about the atmosphere in the Real Madrid dressing room.
The third factor which is no less important is the existence of Don Carlo as Real Madrid coach. This is one of the factors in how the Madrid players were able to step up and be conducive. Don Carlo is still able to “dominate” the Real Madrid dressing room which is inhabited by these stars. He not only does this now, but also did this during his first term as coach in 2014.
Apart from that, Don Carlo is also considered capable of making several young Madrid players develop very rapidly, such as Vini, Rodrigo, Valverde and others.
The fourth factor is Madrid management which is becoming more effective and smarter in building the team, both short and long term. The management team and coaches are so harmonious and in line in building the team. They have come a long way and are gradually preparing the successors to their mega star players when they leave the club one day.
The transfers carried out were not so extravagant or wasted money to gather (re)star players into one team, as was done in the early 2000s with Los Galacticos.
With the factors above, the European Champions League can be seen as a legacy for Real Madrid as well as a philosophy that can be passed on to every player from time to time. It is not wrong if anyone thinks that Real Madrid has “UCL DNA” in its team.
Now, they will be looking at their 6th final in the last 10 years and Don Carlo’s 3rd final while coaching Real Madrid by facing Borussia Dortmund. Will that European DNA return to bring Real Madrid a 15th title? Or will the Yellow Wall be successful in containing it? We should wait for this final match which will be held on June 1 2024 at Wembley Stadium, London, England.
ASL
