The feeling in the Spanish capital in the wake of the defeat is morose. The weather could not better reflect this mood; it is a cold and rainy day. And, it is meant to be Spring. Madrisdista’s have not even been given the consolation of the warmth and comfort brought by a sunny day.

It has been a week of contrasts for Real. One of extreme highs and extreme lows. It started with the first leg clash against Bayern Munich last Tuesday. Jose Mourinho’s side lost 2-1 on the night. But, they had that crucial away goal. Victory at home would secure progress to the final. It was all well within their reach. It was expected.

But, before the return leg came Real’s epic contest against Barcelona in La Liga. We have been treated to many el Clasico’s these last two seasons. Perhaps too many. But, few came bigger than this one. This one would decide who would win the league title.

After five years of failing to do so, Real finally bettered Barcelona on their home turf. Ronaldo was the hero with his winner twenty minutes from time. But, there were many more heroes for Real. Xabi Alonso and Semi Khedira were everywhere in the midfield. Sergio Ramos and Pepe were towers at the back, nothing got through them. Even Fabio Coentrao was superb, he managed to silence the usually disruptive threat of Dani Alves. But, Ronaldo was the star of the show. Often criticised for not performing in these matches, he took this one by the scruff of the neck. This was his finest moment for Real since his arrival in 2009. His time had come.

It was also a landmark win for Real boss, Jose Mourinho. In ten previous attempts his side had only beaten Barcelona once – in extra time of last season’s Copa del Rey final. Mourinho’s time had finally come too it seemed as his Real side, at last, finally eclipsed their fierce rivals.  

A new period dawned. One that, it was hoped, would see Real finally return to the final of Europe’s top competition, the Champions League, after a ten year absence.

After 15 minutes of play, it seemed as if they were on the way. A spot in the final on May 19 beckoned. Ronaldo was again the hero, at least after the first quarter of an hour after scoring two goals to put his side in poll position. One from the penalty, another scored from inside the box, the Portuguese’s two goals increased his personal tally for the season to 56, ten scored in the Champions League. Astonishing.

But, it was not to be. After former Real player, Arjen Robben, scored from the spot Real seemed unsure of how to play. Conceding another goal would have made the task nigh impossible. But, they had to score again too. Having started the game in blistering fashion, they seemingly went through the motions with only flashes here and there when they looked like creating something.

It did not help that many of Real’s ‘big’ players, the likes of Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and Kaka all failed to show up, so to speak. In fact, few of their team mates did either. Sergio Ramos and Pepe were completely unsettled by Mario Gomez. Alonso and Khedira were bossed in midfield by the visitors. Alvaro Arbeloa had a torrid time dealing with Franck Ribery.

With his players underperforming and with his substitutions having little effect, Mourinho may have some answering to do. But, so too does the LFP, Spain’s governing football body.

Mourinho, predictably but understandably too, criticised the LFP following his side’s loss. “The Champions League final will be played by the team who are fifth [in fact sixth] in England and the team who are 10 [in fact eight] points off the top in Germany. They played with second teams last weekend whereas we played the most important game of the season [against Barcelona]. When I was in Italy I persuaded them to let teams playing on Tuesday in the Champions League play their league game on Friday. But I do not have that power here," he said.

He has a point. In such important games, the difference between winning and losing is fine. The slight advantage that Bayern and Chelsea would have gained from resting key players over the weekend would have certainly made a difference, however so slight and incalculable.  

The LFP, along with everyone in Spain, were gearing up for what would have been the first ever el Clasico champions league final. It would have cemented the belief on the Iberian peninsula, and around the world, that Real Madrid and Barcelona were indeed the two best teams in the world. Many will still believe they are. And, why not? The best teams do not always win after all. Just as sometimes the best players miss crucial penalties, like Ronaldo and Messi did.  

For whatever reason for not altering the fixture list and moving the date of el Clasico, the LFP did their part in undermining their own hopes. The final will now be played between Bayern Munich and Chelsea. Few, if anyone, predicted this. Though, the Germans were always given a chance. Chelsea were certainly not.

Real Madrid will now have to wait at least another season for a chance to claim la decima, as they refer to it as.  For a club that is the most successful in the history of the European Cup, the last decade will have seemed like an eternity. They are desperate to become European champions again. Under Mourinho, they are on their way as they have made progress. Last season it was the Copa del Rey, this season they beat Barcelona and – barring a catastrophe – they will win the league. Next season, we will have to see.

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About the author
Francesco Tigani
Football writer, resident of Madrid, studied economics, AC Milan fan, live by what a coach once told me, "football is life the rest is just details"