Real Madrid looking to score a Perfect 10 this season
Fans and pundits alike feel some hesitation in declaring Real Madrid C.F. as the most prestigious club in the world. Even with billions of dollars being pumped in the English football in recent years, Real Madrid still remains a golden brand worldwide.
The fame and recognition that Real Madrid hierarchies bask in have been acquired over decades of success and trophies. When Fernando Hierro lifted the cup for a record 9th time in Hampden Park, Glasgow, Los Merengues supporters were already eying
a 10 big eared trophy. The first ever team to win the trophy in double digits is surely a record worth looking forward to.
However, this dream still remains a dream. Real Madrid has not come close to acquiring this elusive trophy since their triumph over Bayer Leverkusen 8 years ago. Coaches were hired and given the boot even after they won the League. Fabio Capello will bear
testimony to this statement. After launching a stunning fight back, Capello won the league just to get fired barely after the league ended. The reason - he could not win the Champions League.
Along came Mr. Florentino Perez, splashing money in all directions as if it was confetti. 250 million Euros later, Real Madrid had recruited the likes of Ricardo Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. These players don’t need any introduction. Both are Ballon d’Or
winners and champions in their own right. Poor clubs across the globe had the last laugh when Real Madrid crashed out of the competition in the round of 16. Their exit has become a tradition off late and Lyon duly dispatched the Galacticos packing. The blame
game started yet again. Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema were blamed for their exit. As Cristiano Ronaldo was in blistering form in the league, much of the blame was placed on Karim Benzema and Kaka for failing to turn up when it mattered.
Coach Manuel Pellegrini tried his best win a consolation league but Barcelona simply played on an extra terrestrial level thanks to a deadly Xavi-Messi partnership. Pellegrini must have known his days were numbered at the helm of the club and he was duly
dispatched.
The public sentiments were that Mourinho is the only coach in the world capable of bringing the glory days back to the white house. Perez seemed to agree. His acquisition of Mourinho was quick. For many, Mourinho and Real Madrid is a match made in heaven.
With the greatest tactician coaching the greatest club - what more of a club can a fan ask for?
Mourinho did not even wait for the World Cup to end before making his transfer market moves. Angel Di Maria was snapped up even before any other club had the time to make a proposal. Pedro Leon was recruited to add natural width to the side. Both signings
are tactical fits for the 4-3-3 that Mourinho has perfected. Sergio Canales was recalled from Racing Santander to add cover to the attacking midfield department. One must be forgiven to think that the great spending was over with these three. Based on their
brilliant World Cup campaigns, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira were added to the armory. Ozil in particular has stunned neutrals across the globe with his intelligence and supreme technical ability.
The fans in the past vehemently demanded free flowing and attacking football. The desperation for the number 10 however has grown so strong, that Madridista will easily settle for a less attractive but a mighty efficient Mourinho effect.
Anything less than a final appearance will be considered a failure for Jose Mourinho and his men. His achievements in a short career to date are so breathtaking that people believe Mourinho is a token for success. The stage is all set for Jose Mourinho to
engrave his name in the Santiago Bernabeu Museum. He has all the resources and all the brains to achieve just that.
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