By Harry Gillies
The question posed to Bayern’s manager, Vincent Kompany, regarding a controversial red card, was met with a diplomatic smile and a hint that other game incidents also deserved attention. However, the Spanish press, intent on their narrative, focused on the referee’s decision to send off Eduardo Camavinga, which they felt unfairly contributed to Bayern’s 4-3 victory over Real Madrid.
As Real Madrid’s season appears headed for a trophyless conclusion, the criticism from Spanish capital journalists is expected to shift towards Los Blancos themselves. While Bayern Munich may receive some praise, they were demonstrably the superior side over both legs. Their attacking force, spearheaded by Harry Kane and featuring talents like Luis Diaz and Michael Olise, is arguably Europe’s most refined and potent. Each Bayern player understands their role, a stark contrast to Real Madrid’s collection of superstars who struggle to gel, lacking the creative spark once provided by Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
Despite the team’s struggles, Real Madrid still boasts individual brilliance. They twice took the lead against Bayern, fueled by the spirit of past European comebacks. Arda Guler, who scored twice in the first half, looked poised to be a savior, but his night ended in disgrace with a red card for harassing the referee. He was not alone; many Real Madrid players aggressively voiced their grievances to the official. A more dignified exit might have been expected from the club.
In contrast, Kylian Mbappe maintained his composure, refraining from confronting officials and instead offering congratulations to Bayern’s players and applause to the traveling fans. As he walked off the pitch, the French superstar must have reflected on the irony of his Real Madrid tenure so far. Two seasons of individual excellence have yielded no major trophies, while his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, faces Bayern in the Champions League semi-finals. This was not the trajectory the young player envisioned when idolizing Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, a comparison to Ronaldo offers hope. It took the Portuguese icon five seasons to win his first European Cup with Real Madrid, a feat he replicated three more times. With Barcelona on the verge of mathematically securing the league title, it will mark the first time in 16 years that Real Madrid has gone two consecutive seasons without winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, or the Champions League.
Amidst this challenging campaign, some players have thrived. Fede Valverde embodies an indomitable spirit, demonstrating with every performance why he wears the armband. The Uruguayan midfielder’s transformation from a young arrival to an exemplary Real Madrid player serves as a significant inspiration for emerging talents like Endrick Felipe and Franco Mastantuono, whose careers have stalled in the Spanish capital.
The emergence of academy talents offers a glimmer of hope for the fans. Striker Gonzalo Garcia impressed during the Club World Cup and showed promising signs throughout the season. Thiago Pitarch also displayed great potential against Manchester City, though his limited involvement against Bayern was notable. While club legends Raul Gonzalez and Iker Casillas rose from the academy to lead the club for decades, this romanticized vision of Real Madrid may be a thing of the past.
The future of the managerial position remains uncertain, with Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa no longer at the helm. Their youth and nationality may have contributed to their perceived disposability, given that no Spanish manager has lifted a trophy for Real Madrid since Vicente del Bosque in 2003. Alonso’s promising start was curtailed by a Super Cup final loss to Barcelona, a result that, coupled with a series of recent poor performances, led to his dismissal. Arbeloa, who took over as interim, may be demoted back to Castilla, his efforts to galvanize the team and secure positive results in March ultimately overshadowed by the late-season collapse.
With Andoni Iraola becoming available, it seems prudent for him to steer clear of the club. Real Madrid is likely to opt for a more experienced, “wise old dog” appointment, with Didier Deschamps and Massimiliano Allegri reportedly linked.
As for the remainder of this season, Real Madrid may be compelled to form a guard of honour for Barcelona before El Clásico on May 10th, a gesture they previously refused. With nothing tangible left to play for, humility could be a valuable lesson for this squad as they strive to restore glory to the Bernabeu.
English Translation
Analysis: As Real Madrid’s Season Approaches a Premature End, What’s Left?
By Harry Gillies
“What did you think of the sending off?”
The question was directed at Bayern’s manager by the Spanish press, much like it was to every departing player, but Vincent Kompany simply smiled and stated, “If you look at the game, we can talk about some other situations as well.”
This nuanced perspective is unlikely to sway the Spanish media. Their narrative firmly supports the questioning of referee Slavko Vincic, who they believe “handed” Bayern a 4-3 victory over Real Madrid by showing Eduardo Camavinga a second yellow. In the coming weeks, as the outrage subsides and Real Madrid’s season concludes with a trophyless whimper, journalists in the Spanish capital will inevitably turn their criticism towards Los Blancos.
While some commendation might be extended to Bayern, who in truth, were superior over both legs. From Harry Kane’s exceptional all-around forward play to the blend of zeal and artistry displayed by Luis Diaz and Michael Olise, Bayern possesses the most refined and potent attacking force in Europe. Each player in the Bavarian side understands their place and role. Madrid, on the other hand, is a mismatch of superstar players who don’t quite click together, lacking the creative genius that Luka Modric and Toni Kroos once provided in midfield.
Los Blancos still have dazzling individuals, and by channeling the spirit of past European comebacks, they took the lead three times. Arda Guler looked destined to be a savior, scoring twice in the first half. The Turkish midfielder’s night ended in disgrace, shown red for harassing the referee. He was not alone. Forming a pack, the Galacticos barked their collective grievances – some quite aggressively – at the disinterested Vincic. Spain’s royal club could have at least gone out with some decorum, but chose indignity in defeat.
Then there were the few who still acted in a kingly manner. Kylian Mbappe did not chase the officials, only lingering to offer a congratulatory handshake to Bayern’s players and applaud the traveling fans. But as he solemnly paced the grass, the French superstar surely would have reflected on the cruel irony of his Real Madrid career so far. Two seasons of individual brilliance, but no major trophies, while his former side Paris Saint-Germain – the defending European champions – face Bayern in the semi-finals. Continuous defeat was not what the boy from Bondy envisioned for himself when he lay in his bedroom, walls covered in Cristiano Ronaldo posters.
But if he were to compare himself now to his Portuguese idol, he would feel hope, not despair. It took Ronaldo five seasons to lift his first European Cup for Real Madrid, and he went on to win three more.
When Barca mathematically seal the league title, it will mark the first time in 16 years that Madrid have endured two consecutive seasons without winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey or the Champions League. Sometimes in a disastrous campaign, there are players who thrive instead of shrink, as has been the case with Fede Valverde. The Uruguayan midfielder plays with an indomitable spirit, showing with every performance why he wears the armband. The skinny kid from Penarol, who joined Castilla in 2016, has transformed himself into the exemplary Real Madrid player. For Endrick Felipe and Franco Mastantuono – South American talents whose careers have stalled in the Spanish capital – there is no greater inspiration than the Uruguayan’s rise.
The breakthrough of academy talents gives fans a little light during times of darkness. Striker Gonzalo Garcia was the sensation of the Club World Cup and showed signs during the season that he could recapture that level. Thiago Pitarch greatly impressed against Manchester City, but in Munich, the midfielder only got the last three minutes, while Garcia was left on the bench. Club legends Raul Gonzalez and Iker Casillas progressed from the academy to lead the Galacticos over decades, but maybe that idea of Real Madrid is lost to a romantic past.
And of course, there are the two men who it is too late to blame it all on now, nor would it be fair. Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa might have always seemed disposable in the eyes of President Florentino Perez, with their youth and even nationality not helping their case: 2003 was the last time a Spanish manager lifted a trophy for Los Blancos, Vicente del Bosque hoisting La Liga.
It was irrelevant that Alonso was halfway into his first season and still had them fighting for three major trophies. Nor did it matter that his side only narrowly lost to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup. He made the egregious mistake of losing a final to the hated Catalans, and that was the final straw. Perez’s callousness is universally known, as evidenced by the fact that Alonso’s cachet seems to have suffered only minor damage after his sacking.
As for Arbeloa, he will likely be demoted back to Castilla, portrayed as the interim that failed to turn things around. Few will remember him as the man that reeled in the egos, got players onside, and produced a fantastic run in March, only for everything to collapse in the last four games. The affable coach clearly took the job out of genuine love for the club, knowing that he could be thrown to a hungry mob if he failed, or succeed, and still not be rewarded – a club man who they could hang out to dry.
Andoni Iraola has become available this summer. Evidence suggests that this bright, young Spanish manager would be wise to stay clear of La Casa Blanca. Real Madrid will most likely revert to a ‘wise old dog‘ appointment, with Didier Deschamps and Massimiliano Allegri having both been linked in recent months.
What is left this season? Los Blancos might be expected to form a guard of honour for Barcelona before El Clasico on the 10th of May, something they refused to do after the Super Cup Final. With nothing left to fight for, humility could set in – a virtue this squad might consider learning if they hope to bring glory back to the Bernabeu.
