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From Zidane’s Volley to Bale’s Bicycle Kick: Real Madrid’s Greatest UCL Moments Ranked

From Zidane’s Volley to Bale’s Bicycle Kick: Real Madrid’s Greatest UCL Moments Ranked(Picture: Getty Images)
From Zidane’s Volley to Bale’s Bicycle Kick: Real Madrid’s Greatest UCL Moments Ranked(Picture: Getty Images)

Real Madrid’s long-lasting supremacy in European football is demonstrated by their remarkable history in the UEFA Champions League.

Los Blancos will play Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley, and they are on the verge of winning their 15th European Cup, which highlights their extraordinary success in the tournament.

Here, we examine Real Madrid’s Champions League triumphs from 2000 onward, rating each according to the situation, the players’ contributions, and the overall impact.

7. Real Madrid 1999/2000

Even though Real Madrid was not yet in the Galacticos era, their 1999–2000 team had a lot of skill. The team’s fortunes drastically changed when Vicente Del Bosque succeeded John Toshack during the season.

With Steve McManaman’s incredible volley leading the way, Madrid trounced Valencia 3-0 in the Champions League final, showcasing the team’s untapped potential.

Their domestic campaign, however, was less successful as they finished third in La Liga, behind Real Zaragoza and Valencia.

6. Real Madrid 2017/18

Even by the high standards of Real Madrid, the 2017–18 season was unusual. Madrid was outstanding in Europe even though they came in third in La Liga, a substantial 17 points behind champions Barcelona.

With the acquisitions of Dani Ceballos and Theo Hernandez, the team took a cautious approach in the summer transfer window, spending little overall and emphasizing youth.

Their Champions League run ended in a historic triumph, demonstrating their ability to perform on the biggest platform despite home defeats.

An unforgettable moment from the final against Liverpool is still Gareth Bale’s incredible overhead kick.

5. Real Madrid 2001/02

The 2001–02 season for Real Madrid was a story of both European dominance and homegrown failure. Though Madrid ended up third in La Liga, nine points behind Valencia, their Champions League run was incredible.

After signing for a record-breaking amount, Zidane made his debut at Hampden Park with a magnificent volley against Bayer Leverkusen.

With this win, Madrid’s European strength was duly concluded in a season that saw them defeat Bayern Munich and Barcelona in the final stages.

4. Real Madrid 2021/22

Real Madrid not only won La Liga in the 2021–2022 season, but they also retook Europe. Madrid took advantage of Barcelona’s shock of losing Lionel Messi, winning La Liga with 86 points.

Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior stole the show in the Champions League final, with Benzema scoring 44 goals, his best-ever season.

Vinicius’s game-winning goal against Liverpool cemented his status as a superstar. This season demonstrated Madrid’s capacity to bounce back and prosper without Ronaldo.

3. Real Madrid 2013/14

Real Madrid’s 12-year Champions League drought came to an end in the 2013–14 campaign. Despite finishing third in La Liga, Madrid was a potent attacking team under Carlo Ancelotti, scoring 104 goals.

Their brilliant and resilient European campaign came to an exciting 4-1 extra-time win over Atletico Madrid in the championship game.

Gareth Bale made his debut this season as well, and he played a crucial role throughout, scoring a memorable goal against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final.

2. Real Madrid 2015/16

With Zidane taking over in the middle of the season, the 2015–16 campaign saw a sea change. Madrid had shown promise but had not been consistent under Rafa Benitez.

After Zidane joined the team, they went on a 12-game winning streak in La Liga and came just short of losing to Barcelona for the championship.

Madrid defeated Manchester City in the semifinals of the Champions League and defeated Atletico Madrid in the championship game by a penalty shootout. The trio from BBC (Bale, Benzema, and Ronaldo) was impressive with their combined skill.

1. Real Madrid 2016/17

The 2016–17 campaign was the apex of Real Madrid’s 21st-century Champions League triumphs. Madrid won La Liga and the Champions League under Zidane’s full direction, losing only three games in the entire campaign.

With 42 goals, Ronaldo was at his unstoppable best; Alvaro Morata, who had re-signed from Juventus, added 20 goals, which was vital depth.

Madrid performed a masterful job in the Champions League final, crushing Juventus 4-1 with two goals from Ronaldo.

Madrid’s supremacy in Europe was exemplified by this season, which highlighted both their attacking ability and tactical genius.

Final Thought

One of the best picked up moment by 09sports team was the victory of Real Madrid in 2016 UEFA Champions League final against Atlético Madrid. This final was particularly memorable for several reasons.

First, it highlighted the fierce rivalry between the two Madrid teams, which raised the drama and excitement level during the game.

Real Madrid defeated Atlético Madrid in extra time during their 2014 Champions League final match. Therefore, Atlético felt that this rematch was an opportunity for redemption and retribution.

Second, the 2016 championship game was a hotly contested affair that resulted in an overtime 1-1 stalemate.

Antoine Griezmann gave Atlético the lead in the first half of the game, but Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid’s captain, tied the score later on to send the game into extra time.

Thirdly, a penalty shootout was used to settle the game, which is usually a dramatic and tense method to end a game of this magnitude.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the game-winning penalty as Real Madrid prevailed 5-3 in penalties.

Finally, Real Madrid’s triumph extended their record as the most successful club in the competition’s history and earned their 11th UEFA Champions League win.

Additionally, it was their second Champions League victory under Zinedine Zidane’s direction, who had only joined the team halfway through the campaign.

This Article was written by Anmol, author @09sports.com

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Why Gary Lineker Took a Bold Statement for the upcoming UEFA Champions League Final?

Why Gary Lineker Took a Bold Statement for the upcoming UEFA Champions League Final? photograph: getty images

Gary Lineker, a former player for Barcelona, has announced that he will be rooting for Real Madrid versus Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final.

Given Lineker’s close relationship to Barcelona, a team historically recognized for its rivalry with Real Madrid, this statement has drawn criticism.

But, Lineker’s backing of Los Blancos is based on a more comprehensive socio-political position that calls for more investigation rather than football-related motivations.

The recent sponsorship agreement between Rheinmetall, a company that makes weaponry, and Borussia Dortmund has generated a lot of criticism.

Given the current situation in Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine war, Rheinmetall is well-known for providing Israel with precision tank ammunition.

The company also has ambitions to increase its manufacturing of artillery shells. Many, notably Lineker, have taken issue with this sponsorship agreement, which calls for Rheinmetall’s logo to appear on Dortmund’s official merchandise and during press conferences but not on player shirts.

Lineker expressed his dislike of Borussia Dortmund’s affiliation with an armaments corporation in a tweet titled “First time I’ll be cheering for @realmadriden in a Champions League final.”

This decision is consistent with Lineker’s known advocacy for humanitarian causes and his critical stance on issues related to conflict and warfare.

Politics and sports can intertwine in complicated ways. Sponsorships from contentious organizations might damage a team’s reputation and core principles.

Dortmund’s alliance with Rheinmetall in this instance raises a more general moral conundrum: Should athletic organizations support businesses whose actions are thought to be a contributing factor to international conflicts?

Hans-Joachim Watzke, the chairman of Dortmund, justified the sponsorship by placing it in the framework of security and democracy.

Watzke’s claim that “security and defense are fundamental cornerstones of our democracy” illustrates a practical view of sponsorships, particularly in the current climate where sports teams are increasingly concerned with their financial viability.

This viewpoint, meanwhile, could not sit well with supporters and stakeholders who think that such affiliations are immoral.

Lineker’s position demonstrates his dedication to his beliefs. His choice to back Real Madrid in spite of his Barcelona links serves as a reminder of the superiority of moral principles over team allegiance.

Although this action may be viewed as contentious, it highlights an important storyline: the part played by sports figures and sportsmen in promoting social and political causes.

By publicly criticizing Borussia Dortmund’s sponsorship agreement, Lineker is utilizing his position of authority to highlight the wider ramifications of these kinds of alliances.

This show of support for the victims of conflicts influenced by the weapons industry may encourage other sports figures to speak out on moral matters, which will help to develop an accountability and social responsibility culture in the sport.

Rio Ferdinand, a former defender for Manchester United, has, nevertheless, stated that he supports Borussia Dortmund, albeit for different reasons.

Ferdinand’s support is mostly motivated by the tale of Jadon Sancho, a Manchester United loanee who has played a crucial role in Dortmund’s run to the championship.

Ferdinand focuses on the story of perseverance and atonement that Sancho’s comeback from hardships at Manchester United represents.

Ferdinand’s viewpoint presents a more conventional sports-centric viewpoint that emphasizes individual player narratives and on-field accomplishments.

He notes that Dortmund will face a formidable opponent in Real Madrid, but he also emphasizes how Sancho’s triumph could serve as an inspiration for upcoming players.

Lineker and Ferdinand’s divergent points of view perfectly capture the complex nature of sports storylines. Lineker’s position serves as a potent reminder of how sociopolitical issues affect sports, but Ferdinand’s perspective highlights the human side of sports narratives.

Both viewpoints are legitimate and present various aspects of the reasons fans and analysts could root for a specific team.

With the Champions League final drawing near, these storylines heighten the tension in the game. For supporters, this is a convergence of larger ethical, political, and personal narratives rather than merely a match between two footballing titans.

Wembley Stadium’s match will be followed not only for the football on show but also for the stories that have defined the build-up to this historic occasion.

Gary Lineker made a brave and moral decision to side with Real Madrid against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final, one that goes beyond conventional sports allegiances.

It draws attention to the moral conundrums that sports teams face in their business dealings and emphasizes how sports figures can impact public opinion on sociopolitical matters.

Rio Ferdinand’s backing of Dortmund, motivated by the motivational tale of Jadon Sancho, serves as a reminder of the human and personal aspects that contribute to the appeal of sports.

These varied viewpoints deepen our knowledge of the game and its influence off the field as we anticipate the championship.

This Article was written by Anmol, author @09sports.com

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Football Sports News

Greek Authorities Ramp Up Security for Historic Europa Final at Agia Sophia Stadium

Greek Authorities Ramp Up Security for Historic Europa Final at Agia Sophia Stadium (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024

Greek authorities have taken significant security measures in anticipation of the Europa Conference League final, which will take place in Athens between Olympiacos and Fiorentina.

This action reflects the importance of the event and the nation’s will to ensure safety. This game is historic for Greek football because it’s the first time in more than 50 years that a Greek team has advanced to a European final.

The authorities are taking no chances and have been painstakingly preparing for weeks to hold the tournament at the Agia Sophia stadium, home of Olympiacos’s rivals AEK Athens, given Greece’s history with sports violence, both on and off the field.

Massive Security Deployment

Over 5,000 police officers and firefighters have been dispatched throughout Athens to ensure the event is secure.

This sizable force reflects the seriousness with which Greek authorities are tackling the security problems posed by the final.

The effort entails barricading the stadium, putting up checkpoints in the neighborhood, stopping traffic in strategic parts of the city, and doing security inspections on the field.

These precautions are intended to avert any possible disruptions and guarantee everyone’s safety.

Coordination with UEFA and Italian Authorities

Greek law enforcement has been closely collaborating with UEFA security specialists to develop an all-encompassing police strategy.

As part of this partnership, security protocols from a recent match in Belgium were examined; this gave insightful information about how to handle an event with this level of public exposure.

Furthermore, in order to keep an eye on potential troublemakers, Greek authorities have been communicating with their Italian colleagues.

This underscores the significance of international collaboration in overseeing the security of events of this nature.

Thousands of Fiorentina supporters have arrived, including 600 who have been classified as high-risk by the authorities. This has required meticulous planning and cooperation in order to avoid any problems.

Airspace Restrictions

The Greek civil aviation authority has taken an uncommon but telling step by issuing an alert prohibiting the use of drones and helicopters over specific districts of Athens during the event.

This action is meant to prevent any aerial threats and make sure that the ground-based security activities are not interfered with. It will be in place from 2 p.m. on May 29 to 6 a.m. on May 30.

This airspace restriction is a component of the larger endeavor to establish a safe atmosphere for the game.

Controlled Fan Movement

The authorities have put in place a system to manage fan flow and stop fights between opposing fan bases.

To keep supporters of the two teams apart, tickets have been distributed in three distinct colors. There are also specified meeting locations and transit plans that are supervised by the police.

To guarantee that only people with permission can enter the stadium, fans will need to show identity. The event’s tremendous stakes are reflected in this unparalleled level of oversight.

Local Impact and Resident Response

The locals, who now require special credentials to enter and exit the area, have been greatly impacted by the stringent security measures.

The stadium has essentially been transformed into a fortress, and the scope of the operation has been called unprecedented.

Locals have shown a combination of understanding and surprise, realizing that these precautions are necessary to guarantee the event goes off without a hitch.

A 62-year-old retiree named Ananias Kareklidis noted that the security was unprecedented, highlighting the fact that the community was aware of the situation.

Significance of the Event

This final is more than simply a football game; it’s a chance for Greece to celebrate its ability to host a significant international sporting event.

The actual game is anticipated to garner a lot of interest from football enthusiasts worldwide as well as from supporters of the two teams.

For Greek officials, making sure everything goes perfectly is crucial because it shows that they can safely organize big events.

Final Thought

The careful security arrangements made for the Europa Conference League championship in Athens serve as a reminder of both the significance of the occasion and the difficulties in organizing it.

Greek authorities have adopted a comprehensive approach, as seen by the widespread deployment of police and firefighters, the imposition of airspace limits, and the controlled movement of fans.

The cooperation between the Italian police and UEFA highlights the global scope of the security measures.

In addition to assuring safety, Greece hopes to improve its standing internationally by hosting a major international sporting event and proving they can handle such an endeavor.

*This Article was edited by Anmol, author @09sports.com

Source – Reuters

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