Real Madrid accomplished what many felt was impossible on March 9th. It was unlikely, whether you believed in a comeback against Paris Saint-Germain or not. Not only because Los Blancos were a goal down in the second leg, but also because they were two goals down on aggregate by the time the game reached the second half. Karim Benzema stepped up to the plate seemingly out of nowhere and led the squad to a stunning 3-1 victory on the night. PSG was eliminated from the competition, while Real Madrid advanced to the quarterfinals.
Real Madrid is a Spanish football club based in (Getty Images/Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno photo) )
Real Madrid could now face one of seven different teams in the Champions League. Atletico Madrid, Villarreal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Benfica are all waiting to see how far they will progress in the tournament. Real Madrid are not the favorites, but that doesn't rule out the possibility of the 13-time champions lifting the trophy at the end of the season.
History
In this competition, Real Madrid has built a reputation for themselves. Winning the competition three times in a row is an incredible achievement that ensured their success.
When it comes to the UEFA Champions League, the 13-time champions will always be a force to be reckoned with. This is why all opponents are especially careful while facing the Spaniards, because everyone knows what may happen when you aren't at your best. The encounter between PSG and PSG is only one example. Real Madrid has been trounced in the past, but they have always managed to keep the game going until the last whistle. Chelsea defeated Real Madrid last season, but even though they were superior over the two legs, Real Madrid never lost the chance to create an impression. It wasn't meant to be at the moment, unfortunately.
The team is dubbed the Kings of Europe for a reason: they have won the competition more times than any other team. They've made incomparable memories along the way, with the win over PSG being the latest in a long line.
Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, Real Madrid (Photo courtesy of Getty Images/John Berry)
Game-Shifters
Real Madrid may not have the finest squad in Europe, but their starting eleven is quite strong. Players who have gone through this before and, as we saw against PSG, can turn the game in an instant are in the starting lineup.
Luka Modric upped his game in the second half of their most recent match, utterly dominating the midfield. Prior to delivering the ball to Vinicius, he put on a show. If that wasn't enough, he finished the play with the ball at his feet, passing it between Kimpembe's knees to Benzema, who scored. To give Los Merengues control of the game, the Croatian manages to unearth magic in places we never even knew existed. At 36 years old, he's an important member of the team.
Karim Benzema's hat-trick was stunning to watch, but it only served to confirm what we already knew: he is the best forward in the game. The Frenchman has often demonstrated that as long as he is on the team, hope will always be alive. He is still misunderstood, but he has no qualms about proving people incorrect anytime he hits the field. According to Micah Richards, he's almost at the level of Harry Kane. That just goes to demonstrate how much people, including professional commentators, dismiss him.
Aside from Modric and Benzema, Real Madrid's lineup is full with players that can change the game at any point. Vinicius Junior, Thibaut Courtois, and Toni Kroos are just a few of the players that have made a significant contribution to the team's success.
Casemiro, Real Madrid (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP through Getty Images instead of GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images.) )
Underdogs are the underdogs.
Real Madrid is a team that is expected to win at all times. They are supposed to fight with everything they have in the few situations when they aren't. "The Real Madrid shirt is white," declared the famous Santiago Bernabeu. Mud, perspiration, and even blood can stain it. "However, never of shame."
Playing against Real Madrid is dangerous enough, but playing against them when everyone has already written them off is even riskier.
We recently witnessed it with PSG, but we also saw it in the 2014 UEFA Champions League final against Atletico Madrid. 92:48. Sergio Ramos demonstrated in that very minute of the game that Real Madrid should never be written off until the final whistle.When the Los Blancos take the field against a team that is predicted to beat them, they have that attitude. They may not always come out on top, but they will always fight to the bitter end and depart knowing that they gave it their all.
Real Madrid are not the favorites to win the championship this season. It's debatable which team is the most likely, but it'll almost certainly be a coin flip between Bayern Munich and Manchester City. Los Blancos have a good chance of facing one of the two European giants, or at the very least, Chelsea or Liverpool. Against Real Madrid, all four of those teams may be considered favorites.It's one thing to be a fan favorite on paper; it's quite another to try to make it happen on the field.
The team may not be at their best right now, but they have the potential to trigger a few surprises along the way.
Real Madrid supporters (Photo courtesy of Getty Images/Angel Martinez) )
When it comes to the UEFA Champions League, the Santiago Bernabeu Nights take on a new meaning. Regardless of how demanding the supporters are, they turn out in abundance to support this squad. Even when the stadium is under construction and not fully occupied, you can feel the fans cheering the team on. Opponents are prone to succumbing to the pressure, which is understandable. They are attempting to maintain a struggle against Europe's most successful squad while being pressured not only by the players but also by every single fan in attendance.
Games are created by fans. Real Madrid's players and staff understand the importance of the fans to the team's success, and when the two worlds intersect on a particular night, it's a rare sight.
The fans came out in force against PSG in the penultimate round of the competition, and while they were helping to keep the players fighting, it reached new heights as Karim Benzema scored the opening goal. The second and third goals belonged not only to Benzema, but to the entire team and every single fan in attendance.
"At the Bernabéu, 90 minutes is a long time" - Juanito.
Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid (Photo courtesy of VI Images/Getty Images)
This isn't the first time this has happened.
Looking back on Real Madrid's historic three-peat, it's difficult to believe they weren't always favorites. After all, hindsight is 20/20. They weren't, though, for the most of their competition victories.Even in the 2017 final against Juventus, many people thought Real Madrid lacked the ability to go all the way. There was a lot working against the Spaniards. Nobody has ever won the competition two years in a row, and the Italian team was certainly one of the greatest in the world. They did, however, complete the task and make history.
Only a year later, they faced Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, who were widely regarded as the best team in the world. Real Madrid also did a good job there. They made history by becoming the first team to win it three times in a row.
To win, Real Madrid does not have to be the favorite. All they have to do is show up. Being underdogs provides them with even more drive to fight harder. They know how it feels to fall heavily, as well as how it feels to be on top of the world. This isn't a bad Real Madrid team; they're truly capable of winning it all. That isn't to suggest they have the best team, or that they don't have room for growth. It's just vital to remember that Real Madrid can beat anyone, no matter who they are.
It's always good to be the favorite to win a game or a competition of this scale, but they've been here before, and they've also lifted the trophy in the end.
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Between now and the final, there is still a long way to go, and some very tough teams stand in the way. There are valid reasons to be cautious, but there are also valid reasons to be optimistic. You can't be a Real Madrid supporter and not believe in their ability to succeed. When the final whistle blows, the belief dies. Everything is conceivable until then.
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