Real Madrid: 5 Reasons Why They Will Challenge Barcelona Next Season
F.C. Barcelona's convincing victory over Manchester United only reinforced the belief that the Blaugrana outfit are the best team in the world at this moment. At the beginning of the 2010-11 season, following shock results against Hercules and Mallorca, many wondered whether Barcelona would be able to maintain the high level at which they had been playing over the past two seasons.
By winning La Liga and the Champions League, Barcelona went some way to dispel these notions. Barcelona won the league with relative ease, commanding 96 points and a plus-74 goal difference. Manchester United were seen as a final and genuine contender to Barcelona's supremacy, but Sir Alex Ferguson's men were unable to contain an excellent Barcelona side led by Lionel Messi.
Yet Barcelona were unable to win the domestic cup—the Copa del Rey, losing in the final to bitter rivals Real Madrid.
It is this team that has the best—or perhaps the only—chance of stopping Barcelona next season.
Up next are five reasons why.
1. Jose Mourinho
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Only one team at a time (two if he had been allowed to simultaneously coach the Portuguese national team) can be managed by Jose Mourinho, and Real Madrid is that team. Mourinho is known for his strong grasp of tactics and opponents just as much as he is known for speaking his mind.
Mourinho's most famous triumph to date is his Champions League semifinal victory over Barcelona while he was at the helm of Inter Milan. Barcelona were naturally viewed as the favorites coming into the encounter, but Inter Milan emerged victorious and ultimately won the trophy to become Italy's first ever treble winners.
Mourinho has won the Champions League with two different clubs, and his arrival helped Real Madrid get past the Champions League Round of 16 for the first time in seven years. He also guided Madrid to victory in the Copa del Rey, a feat no Real Madrid coach had accomplished for 17 years.
As long as Jose Mourinho is in charge, there is no doubt that Real Madrid will have the strength and determination to succeed.
If there is one manager who can stop Barcelona, it's Jose Mourinho.
2. The Outcome of the 'Clásico Series'
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One victory, one loss and two draws. With all due respect, Barcelona will likely beat any team besides Real Madrid at least seven or eight times out of 10. But over the span of four Clásicos, they were only able to win one.
In fact, the series was almost as statistically even as it can get, with goal difference edging slightly in Barcelona's favor (plus-1 to minus-1).
After the Copa del Rey final, some even suggested that Madrid were likely to win the first leg of the Champions League semifinal, marking the first time in perhaps four years when Barcelona were not considered favorites.
One can only surmise that Real Madrid have the greatest chance of any team to challenge Barcelona.
3. The Impact of Red Cards on the Clásicos
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Out of the four goals that Barcelona scored during the series, three only occurred once Madrid were down to 10 men. The difference that the red cards made was especially clear during the Champions League semifinal first leg. The game looked as if it would finish 0-0, but Pepe's ejection on the hour was responsible for Madrid's subpar defense over the remaining 30 minutes, leading to a well-taken Messi double.
Barcelona's only goal during the league fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu came courtesy of a blatant Raul Albiol tug on David Villa, leading to Albiol's expulsion and a penalty for Barcelona.
While Barcelona did score against an 11-man Madrid during the return leg of the semifinal thanks to a brilliant pass by Andres Iniesta, the fact remains that 75 percent of Barcelona's (recent) goals against Madrid were scored when the opposition was a man down.
This argument is not in any way insinuating that the red cards were unjust. It merely suggests that if Real Madrid players can avoid getting sent off, then Barcelona will have much more trouble breaking down their rival's defense.
4. Real Madrid's Chemistry and Progression
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Barcelona's footballing excellence serves as the prime example of why stability is crucial, especially at a club like Real Madrid where the pressure is tremendous and unyielding.
Although Pep Guardiola experienced great success during his first season in charge, he inherited a squad which has remained largely unchanged throughout the past few years, and as a result, is very cohesive. Barcelona have employed two managers over the past eight years. Real Madrid have gone through 10.
While Mourinho might not be looking to build a legacy at Real Madrid, he will probably be given three or four years to work his magic.
Just as importantly, the starting XI that we have seen this season will remain relatively unchanged. While players were incessantly going in and out of the "White House," expect at most one or two changes which will not hinder the team's progression.
Players introduced to the starting XI in 2009-10: Ronaldo, Arbeloa, Alonso, Albiol (Kaka, Benzema)
Players introduced to the starting XI in 2010-11: Ozil, di Maria, Khedira, Carvalho
Expected introduction to the starting XI in 2011-12: Sahin
The understanding between Real Madrid's players will grow next season, substantially increasing Madrid's chances of stopping Barcelona.
5. The Copa Del Rey Victory and the Champions League 2nd Leg Draw
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While the Clásico series as a whole serves to suggest that Real Madrid have a relatively high chance of stopping Barcelona, the Copa final in Valencia and the 1-1 at the Camp Nou will ultimately give Madrid players the confidence they need to overcome their bitter rivals.
Prior to April 20, 2011, Madrid had not won a Clásico for nearly three years, drawing one and losing five. When this statistic is coupled with Real Madrid's 5-0 defeat on November 29th, 2010, Madrid's chances of defeating Barcelona seemed slim.
But now, Los Blancos can head into their next Clásico with the knowledge that not only are they capable of winning a Clásico but are also able to earn a "result" at the Camp Nou, supported by the most recent encounter between the two sides.
If Jose Mourinho can prevent this knowledge from manifesting into overconfidence, Real Madrid will have a much higher mental edge next season then they did in 2010-11.
What's Next?
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A couple of important events will take place before the league kicks off. They will likely have an impact on the 2011-12 season.
The first of these is the transfer market. Real Madrid have already acquired the services of Nuri Sahin, Jose Maria Callejon and Hamit Altintop, the former already being considered a bargain buy (to be determined) and the latter arriving on a free transfer.
Barcelona will likely strengthen their squad as well, given their relative lack of depth. Expect a couple quality signings as well as the latest La Masia graduates.
The crucial prelude to the season will be the Supercopa de España, featuring none other than Real Madrid and Barcelona. While some may consider the cup unimportant in comparison to the three trophies handed out earlier in the year, both teams will be determined to win it.
Real Madrid will certainly seek to avenge their Champions League exit, while Barcelona will relish the chance to beat their rivals in a domestic cup final, especially after losing one earlier in the year.
Meanwhile, the Spanish Supercup will be seen by Jose Mourinho as a unique opportunity to experiment with line-ups and strategies.
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Can Real Madrid challenge Barcelona while playing attractive football?
Unless proven otherwise, the answer has to be no.
Some will say that Arsenal and Manchester United came close, but neither could beat Barcelona while playing an open game.
As a Madrid fan, I would like to see Real Madrid play in the attractive manner that has marked many of our games this season. I sincerely believe that we have the firepower to challenge Barcelona in terms of quality football and even possession, not to say that it will be easy.
Don't expect a sudden change in tactics; Mourinho's priority is victory.
But if he takes the gamble we all want him to take and gives his players the chance to unleash the full extent of Real Madrid's attack, then we should expect some excellent Clásicos in the future.
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