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Real Madrid have had a disappointing league season in Spain. But, their revival in form at the start of 2018 has done wonders; they have reached their fourth Champions League final in five years.
However, the Spanish giants have been criticized for not being worthy enough to reach the final. Rival fans all over the world have branded them 'lucky' for reaching this far in the Champions League.
This piece will try to eradicate all such notions by putting forth a case that not only proves their worth as UCL finalists but also their right to lifting the title.
#4 2017/18 was their toughest Champions League campaign
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Of course, it is! Comparing their previous title-winning campaigns, it doesn't take a genius to realise the fact that this is Los Blancos' hardest UCL campaign up to date.
To start with, Real Madrid qualified for the round of 16 after finishing second in the 'Group of Death' after facing the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur.
In the round of 16, Real faced a mighty Paris Saint Germain who boasted probably the best attacking trio in the world. In spite of their lacklustre defence and the odds being in favour of Les Parisiens, they managed to hold Neymar, Mbappe and Cavani at bay and force them to exit the competition with a surprising 5-2 aggregate scoreline.
Next, they beat Italian champions Juventus 3-0 at Turin. Make no mistake, the Bianconeri had conceded 3 goals in their last 5 home games before facing Madrid, displaying their defensive astuteness. Yet, Real emerged victorious with a 4-3 scoreline.
In the semifinals, they saw off a challenge from the mighty Bayern Munich. Zidane's men were dominated in both the games, yet they managed to scrap a 4-3 aggregate score over two legs.
If you have a keen eye, you will realise the fact that Real Madrid have beaten the league winners of three different countries in spite of having a below-par campaign.
Making it through such tight fixtures makes them worthy of winning the title in every aspect.
#3 Real Madrid have shown great character in UCL
Real Madrid may have had an unimpressive stint in the league this season, but the story is far too different in the Champions League. Zidane's men have been an entirely different unit in Europe, showing relentless desire to win and avoid a trophyless season.
Los Blancos have come from behind at least once in each of the rounds, starting from their first-leg victory against Paris Saint Germain.
The rivals fans went gaga as Madrid beat Juventus with a last minute penalty, deeming them lucky enough to get one in the dying minutes of the game. However, what's surprising is how they have underestimated the pressure that comes along with such situations.
It is Ronaldo's prowess at scoring from the spot that makes penalties look easy, but they aren't as simple as they seem to be. But in circumstances such as the one against the Old Lady, Ronaldo and co deserve more than just pats on their backs; they are worthy of a standing ovation.
#2 Zidane's managerial prowess
A special praise needs to be reserved for Zinedine Zidane. The Frenchman has pulled magic out of his hat in a suit just as he did in boots.
In an unsatisfactory season that Real Madrid have been through, it takes more than just luck to grab your team by the scruff of the neck to the final of the toughest club competition in the world, without even touching the ball.
He might not be a tactical genius yet but Zidane has shown every possible sign of being one. For example, his ingenious substitutions of Marco Asensio and Gareth Bale against PSG in the first leg were key factors why his men emerged victorious in that fixture.
Zidane has managed to breathe life into Ronaldo by deploying him in a pure striker role, the one in which he struggled at the beginning of the season. He has also managed to unite probably the most egoistic dressing room in the world.
People say it's easy for Zidane because of the quality of players he has. But if it was that simple, Los Merengues wouldn't have required 12 years to win their 10th title, considering the fact that they have always boasted the best players in the line-up.
Real Madrid definitely deserve to lift the UCL title, not in order to prove their greatness but to abolish all those doubts and notions about their coach being lucky for the past three years.
#1 They have been clinical in attack
I suggest you take a look at both the games against Bayern Munich for this point.
People have been of the opinion that Bayern deserved to go through because they dominated Los Merengues. However, equally true is the fact that Bayern weren't at their best in finishing off the chances they created, a task Real Madrid carried out with perfection.
In the first leg, Bayern scored a goal in 17 shots while Real found the net twice in 7 attempts. In the second leg, the Bavarians scored 2 goals in 22 shots, the same number of goals netted by Los Blancos in just 9 attempts.
Also, Real Madrid won the fixtures in spite of Cristiano Ronaldo's failure to score in both the games. In doing so, Zidane's men proved that they have the mettle to win games on their own, even if their star talisman doesn't perform.
Enough reasons to prove why the Spanish giants deserve to lift the title, don't you think?
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored.com
