Corona virus outbreaks not only stopping world football activities, but also stop the journey of life of one of the important figures in Spanish football. The man is no other than Lorenzo Sanz. The president of Real Madrid from 1995 to 2000 died at the age of 76 on March 21, 2020 due to the Covid 19 attack. This paper is a tribute to his services while leading El Real.
Lorenzo Sanz was president of Real Madrid before Florentino Perez came to replace him with the concept of Los Galacticos. Special, Sanz era Real Madrid was the forerunner to the star-studded team initiated by Perez. A number of key Los Galacticos Real Madrid players who later became legends at the Santiago Bernabeu came in the Sanz era.
Well, star players like Predrag Mijatovic, Davor Suker, Clarence Seedorf, Roberto Carlos, Steve McManaman and Nicolas Anelka dressed in white in Real Madrid during Sanz’s reign. We later witnessed how players like Roberto Carlos were transformed into legendary left-back El Real. Mijatovic himself was the hero of Madrid’s victory in the 1998 Champions League final.
Speaking of heroes in the Champions League final, in the Sanz era also the world of football became acquainted with a young goalkeeper who took action in Madrid’s victory in the 2000 Champions League final. The goalkeeper in question was Iker Casillas. This young man then grew into one of the best and most successful goalkeepers of Madrid of all time and became one of the iconic captains of El Real.
The Champions League does have its own privileges for Madrid era Lorenzo Sanz. In his time, El Real won two Champions League trophies in 1998 and 2000. Both later became trophies full of meaning. The 1998 Champions League title ended the waiting period of 32 years while the 2000 trophy was the last time before winning it again by Los Galacticos Florentino Perez in 2014.
Lorenzo Sanz is indeed not the most successful president of Real Madrid and has swayed the title, but Sanz is an important part of Real Madrid’s long history. A number of players who were active with El Real during Sanz’s tenure were star players who were no less great than the Los Galacticos heroes. Here are the best compositions of the Lorenzo squad in a 4-3-3 formation:
Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas
“Risen” during Sanz and became Madrid’s main goalkeeper for a very long time. Appeared at a young age and left Madrid as a legendary goalkeeper and captain of El Real.
Defenders: Michel Salgado, Fernando Hierro, Ivan Karanka, Roberto Carlos
Long before we got to know Sergio Ramos and Marcello on the flanks of El Real’s defense, the names Michel Salgado and Roberto Carlos on the flanks of Madrid have been a frightening combination for Madrid opponents for several years. Add also the existence of the legend Fernando Hierro in the heart of the defense.
Midfielders: Steve McManaman, Fernando Redondo, Clarence Seedorf
The best midfielders England, Argentina and the Netherlands are in a team. This is not a composition that can be obtained every year.
Forwards: Raul Gonzales, Predrag Mijatovic, Fernando Morientes
The most intense line of competition. Classmates Davor Suker, Nicolas Anelka, Raul Gonzales, Predrag Mijatovic and Fernando Morientes are fighting for positions. The choice fell on the duo Raul and Morientes because of the consideration of mutual cooperation between them. One slot was filled by Mijatovic, thanks to his winning goal in the 1998 Champions League final.
Now this is Real Madrid’s Lorenzo Sanz era. A special team that is far from being called the Los Galacticos but successfully presented 2 Champions League trophies, 1 Spanish La Liga title and 1 Intercontinental Cup title in the history of Real Madrid. Remembering their lunge means remembering the services of Lorenzo Sanz. Thank you, Sanz,
ASL
