Real Madrid were the top club in Europe during the 2015-2016 season. Can they do it again in 2016-2017?
Winning the UEFA Champions League was one heck of an accomplishment for Real Madrid. After all of the coaching turmoil in recent seasons, the infusion of additional talents, and having to stave off Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona Madrid once again reached the top of European football. There were parades, floats, and even a bottle of champagne or two opened. It was without question one of their finest seasons.
But as soon as the bottles were opened it felt like it was time to start focusing on the next campaign. Football in this day and age almost feels like it operates on a year round calendar and there is little to no time to think about one’s previous accomplishments. Here today, gone tomorrow seems apt in this situation.
The unfortunate part of this modern business is that it is very, very difficult to repeat. The Champions League is by no means a cake walk and Real Madrid perhaps knows this better than anyone else. Madrid rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s after having won six consecutive European Cups. Since that point though the club has never been able to win Europe’s top club tournament in consecutive seasons.
The hope is that entering this campaign that Zinedine Zidane can once again get his players behind him and pull through Europe’s best while at the same time earning the La Liga title. The fear is though that this team in its current form may have peaked.
So what are the hopes and fears of Real Madrid? Let’s take a look!