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Real Madrid were a class apart in the all-Spanish, Champions League semi-final. They continued their rampaging form as they scored three goals to go with a clean sheet – virtually putting the tie to bed in the first ninety minutes.
The game saw the title holders enjoying 62% possession, a major reason why they managed a total of 18 shots on goal, of which seven were on target. Meanwhile, their city rivals who were thoroughly outclassed managed nine shots on goal, of which only one was on target.
While the Los Blancos already seem to have one foot in the final, we look at the possibility if they can go all the way to create history.
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Winning the Champions League is a tough job
In 1992, the format of the European Cup changed from a simple knockout tournament and a group stage was introduced in the first stage of the competition. This was done to allow more entrants from certain countries. However, the format of the competition that we are familiar with today, was introduced only in the 1994-95 tournament. Thanks to this change, winning the competition today, has essentially become the ultimate benchmark of a European club’s success.
Such is the competitiveness of this new format that no team has never managed to retain their European crown. Only two teams have come close, Ajax Amsterdam and Manchester United FC.
Ajax Amsterdam won the final of 1995 but lost the but lost out to Juventus a year later. Manchester United, on the other hand, won the title in 2008 but lost the final of 2009 to Barcelona.
From 1992 to 2013, no two clubs from the same country have managed to win the title in consecutive years. Spanish clubs, however, broke this jinx in 2014, when Madridistas won the title twice in 2014 and 2016, and their bitter rivals Barcelona won it in 2015, thus completing a Spanish hat-trick.
But Los Blancos are playing incredible football
The title holders, when compared to the other quarterfinalists this year, come out to be the best offensive team. They have the highest number of average shots and shots on target per game. They also have a higher number of gals from open play situations.
Defensively, they have the highest number of interceptions. Their tackling stats is second only to Atletico Madrid. However, they have allowed almost 13 shots on their goal per game.
Overall, they are second only to their city rivals, but only by a small margin. They played Borussia Dortmund in the group stages, managed to overcome a tricky Napoli (in the Round of 16) and a resolute Bayern Munich (in the quarter final). Thus their record below is against opponents that were quite formidable.
The second leg is quite likely to swing in the favour of Los Blancos, which could take them into this year’s final, where they would then face either Juventus or Monaco.
The Bianconeri have an average of 14.6 shots per game, out of which 4.8 shots were on target. Monaco, on the other hand, have an average of 12.1 shots per game, out of which 4.7 shots on target per game. This is dwarfed by the average of 19.8 shots per game with 7.4 shots on target for the Galacticos.
The Italian club has the least number of shots against, but are comparable to the French and both the Spanish teams, in terms of tackles and interceptions.
Thus, looking at the data below, Real Madrid seem superior to both the probable finalists.
Team
Atletico Madrid
Real Madrid
Bayern Munich
Juventus
Barcelona
Borussia Dortmund
Monaco
Leicester
Defensive Record
Shots Against
11.6
12.6
11.5
8.8
8.9
10.4
10
12.9
Tackles
22.2
20.2
18.3
17.8
19.5
19.7
21
16.1
Interceptions
16.8
17.2
16.4
13.8
10.3
12.2
16.8
13.4
Fouls
8.4
9.3
11.9
14.3
12.4
10.9
11.1
11.9
Offsides
1.4
3.7
2.1
1.5
1.9
4
2.2
2
Offensive Record
Shots
13.7
19.8
19.3
14.6
13.1
15.4
12.1
10.7
Shots OT
4.7
7.4
7.3
4.8
5.5
7.1
4.7
3.3
Dribbles
11.6
11.3
10.6
10.3
14
11.1
14.8
8.3
Fouled
11
13.1
9
13.7
13.6
11.8
11.9
7.6
Overall Record
Possession%
50.5
51.8
62.3
55.6
60.5
59.3
45.8
42.2
PassSuccess%
80.5
86.7
88.6
86.2
87.4
86.2
77.8
71
AerialsWon
19.4
10.2
15
11.9
7
12.1
16.7
19.5
Match Rating
7.1
7.08
7.06
7.05
7.03
6.99
6.98
6.8
Team
Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid
Juventus
Monaco
Goals Scoring Pattern
Open Play
21
8
11
14
Counter Attack
1
2
0
2
Set Piece
4
1
3
4
Penalty
0
2
3
0
Own Goal
2
0
0
1
Goal Scoring Zones
In 6 Yards Box
6%
8%
1%
7%
In 18 Yards Box
62%
61%
61%
62%
Outside of Box
32%
31%
38%
31%
They also have luck on their side
Since 1992, there have been only seven semi-final ties where clubs from the same country have played each other. Four times out of these seven, a Spanish team has won the title. Thrice, the winner of the semi-final tie, has gone on to win the final too. Also, interestingly, all three times a Spanish derby was played out in the semi-final, a Spanish team has won the crown.
Thus, statistically speaking, the 11-time European champions can go all the way this season, to become the first team to retain the European crown, and extend the Spanish dominance in this competition further.
Year
Semi Final Tie
Winner
1999-00
Valencia vs Barcelona
Real Madrid
2001-02
Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Real Madrid
2004-05
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Liverpool
2006-07
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Milan
2007-08
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Manchester United
2008-09
Manchester United vs Arsenal
Barcelona
2010-11
Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Barcelona
