#2 Peaking at the right time
Real Madrid collected a single point from the opening two league games of 2019. Since then, their form has changed dramatically; winning nine games, losing twice and drawing once in the process. They have risen from ninth to third in the league. In this stretch of matches, they have finally started playing like a champion team. The players are better both physically and mentally. They have faith in their coach.
Toni Kroos looks to be back at his best. Luka Modric is finally playing like a Ballon d' Or winner. Sergio Ramos is always as his imposing self. Reguilion has made everyone forget Marcelo. Youngsters like Dani Ceballos, Alvaro Odriozola, Marcos Llorente are giving the starters a run for their money.
Real have started dominating the big games, keeping possession and dictating play. They are showing a new found hunger to win these games. A hunger for which they are known and which was missing in the earlier part of the season. At the Camp Nou, they returned with an entertaining 1-1 draw along with a priceless away goal.
After that, they went on to beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 at their home turf. Goals from Casemiro, Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale did the job. In their third away game in a row, Real defeated an inexperienced yet exciting Ajax side 2-1. By scoring two away goals in Amsterdam, they have effectively put one foot in the quarter-final.