Real Madrid Formula: belief until the end, effort, team spirit, quality and an extraordinary support
First it was the Paris Saint Germain of Mbappé, Messi, Neymar and other extraordinary players. A priori, the knockout round was totally favourable for the Parisians.
All was lost until, as a result of the pressure and the white push, a mistake by Donnarumma changed everything. The pressure was on, to Pochettino's disbelief.
There is no point in having the most valuable stars financially speaking if they are not capable of finishing the job that lasts 90 minutes.
First club-state to relax at the Santiago Bernabeu and pay for it
Second round, the current European champions, Chelsea, a team physically superior to Real Madrid and with a squad of 24 top players. Madrid go to London as victims, but emerge victorious. Tuchel's men impose their game, their physicality and their quality at the White Stadium.
Moreover, they convert their chances, unlike PSG, who missed one after the other. Real Madrid seemed to have faded away. 0-3 and not even the most optimistic thought of a comeback. But the spark is there again. Modric gave a masterful pass and the talismanic Rodrygo scored. From this point on, the white steamroller reappears and the English team disappears.
Another team built on money, in this case from a Russian oligarch, that is defeated in the final minutes by the tenacity and symbiosis between stadium, fans and a united team.
Then comes the most difficult yet, as in circus shows: another team-state. This time, with the coach considered by some to be the best in the world, and with several players acquired for more than a hundred million euros. Premier League champions, former Champions League finalists. Considered as this year's top contenders to win it
Guardiola's team in Manchester could not start in a better way. Ten minutes into the first half and 2-0. Real Madrid totally outplayed, or so they thought, because the king of the Champions League and most deserving of the Ballon d'Or: Karim Benzema appeared.
Guardiola's team, with the help of their coach, do not take their foot off the accelerator, knowing that there is no income big enough to visit the white temple. They won 4-3, but it was a victory with a taste of defeat after Karim's Panenka-like penalty. Guardiola's face at the end of the match was worried.
The second leg at the Bernabeu was nowhere near as superior to City as it had been at the Etihad, but even so, Ancelotti's side failed to score from the few chances they had.
The blow came with Mahrez's goal. Fifteen minutes plus extra time to score two goals and draw the tie. Three to go through.
Ancelotti substituted his midfield, Kroos, Casemiro and Modric.
Back to the circus simile: "The hardest one yet".
But this time the saviours are two youngsters: Rodrygo, 21 years old and Camavinga, 19. The spark ignited in the 89th minute and the steamroller started to move at 200 kilometres per hour. Fans and players, it doesn't matter which ones, go over the heads of a disbelieving Manchester City. Guardiola could not believe what he was seeing.
Extra time belongs to the Santiago Bernabéu and to Nacho, Vallejo, Ceballos, Lucas Vázquez, Carvajal, players who in theory are nowhere near the value of City's millionaires.
Guardiola does not understand what has happened. He knows what the Bernabéu is like. He has prepared for it thoroughly.
When the spark is lit and the Bernabeu steamroller is set in motion it is unstoppable
A victory of a club of its members, of players committed to their crest and fans. Against millionaire clubs, with no history, no values and no commitment outside the economic one.
Players who are fighters, disciplined, companions and respectful of their coach. Above all, madridistas.
As for the mercenaries, some have left, those who remain will leave in June.
What a shame Sergio, Cristiano, Gareth or Raphael, what you have missed.
