Real Madrid

Introduction

Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain.

Founded in 1902 as Madrid Football Club, has traditionally worn a white home kit since. The word Real is Spanish for royal and was bestowed to the club by King Alfonso XIII in 1920 together with the royal crown in the emblem. The team has played its home matches in the 85,454-capacity Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in downtown Madrid since 1947. Unlike most European football clubs, Real Madrid's members (socios) have owned and operated the club since its inception.

The club is the richest football club in terms of annual revenue, generating €513million in 2012 and the second most valuable, worth €1.8billion. It is one of three clubs to have never been relegated from the top flight of Spanish football, along with Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona. Real Madrid holds many long-standing rivalries, most notably El Clásico with FC Barcelona.

The club established itself as a major force in both Spanish and European football during the 1950s. Domestically, Real Madrid has won a record 32 La Liga titles, 18 Copas del Rey, 9 Supercopas de España, 1 Copa Eva Duarteand 1 Copa de la Liga. Internationally it has won a record nine European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles and a joint record three Intercontinental Cups, as well as two UEFA Cups, and one UEFA Super Cup.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, Adán, Diego López and Jesús.
Defenders: Ramos, Arbeloa, Marcelo, Albiol, Varane, Pepe, Coentrão and Carvalho.
Midfielders: Modric, Alonso, Khedira, Özil, Kaká, Callejón, Di María and Essien.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Higuaín and Morata.

Style of Play

Coach Jose Mourinho typically favors the 4-2-3-1 for his Real Madrid formation.

With Real regularly competing on three fronts during a season, Mourinho, like the coaches at Europe’s other major clubs, must alternate his team so that players avoid fatigue and do not become unhappy on the bench if not regular first choices.

In goal, Iker Casillas is the undisputed number one and has been the club’s first-choice since he was a teenager.

4: Defense

In defense, Alvaro Arbeloa generally features at right-back. although Serio Ramos has plenty of experience playing in that position with club and country. He enjoys the attacking responsibilities that come with playing on the right and can regularly be seen bombing up the wing.

Bruising Portuguese defender Pepe is a favorite of Mourinho and regularly takes up one of the center-back slots, alongside either Ramos, Raphaël Varane or Raul Albiol.

The left-back slot is typically occupied by Fabio Coentrao or Marcelo. Both the Portuguese and Brazilian love to get forward and support the attack, and are able to play on the left of midfield if necessary.

2: Defensive Midfield

Mourinho likes the insurance policy of two deep lying midfielders in his Real Madrid formation. Xabi Alonso is one of the first names on the team sheet, and fits well in Real’s 4-2-3-1 formation, just as he did under Mourinho’s nemesis Rafael Benitez at Liverpool. His range of passing is exquisite as is that of the major signing of 2012 - Luka Modric from Tottenham Hotspur.

Germany’s Sami Khedira, Essien and even Pepe are more defensive options. It is their job to break up opposition attacks and distribute the ball to Real Madrid’s more creative players.

3: Attacking Midfield

Ahead of these players, there is the central playmaker, who is given the freedom to create. Mesut Ozil, the outstanding Germany midfielder, or Brazil legend Kaka are favored by Mourinho for this position. Both are supreme dribblers and excellent passers of the ball.

Cristiano Ronaldo will typically feature on the left of this attacking midfield trio. His pace and skill makes him one of the best soccer players in the world. The former Manchester United star likes to cut inside on his favored right foot and fire in shots on goal. On the other side, Argentina winger Angel Di Maria generally starts, and he is another tricky customer, much admired by Mourinho, and one of the Portuguese’s first signings in 2010. Jose Maria Callejon acts as back-up on the wing.

1: Attack

In the center of attack, Mourinho opts for either Gonzalo Higuain or Karim Benzema as his out-and-out striker. Higuain is the more natural finisher of the two, deadly on the ground or in the air, while Benzema is a quicker and better dribbler. Both rely on the service of the two wide men and the creative midfielders behind them. 

2012-13 Season

After a horrible start in La Liga with more than 3 defeats, Madrid are now trailing 13 points behind Barcelona and 3rd place in La Liga. Though they have terrible form in the league, Madrid have done well in the Supercup by winning in the elclasico with a 3-3 aggregate(away goals). Los blancos are also in the finals of the kings cup after winning 3-1 (4-2 aggregate) against Barcelona in the semi finals. Some good forms in UCL and now are in the round of 16 facing Manchester United.

Summary

Real Madrid are now trailing alot of points behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in La Liga, but they are in the kings cup final and they have a good chance of winning. They are also doing  well in the UCL. What do you think? Will they go and win the double, settle for one trophy or have a disappiointing trophy-less season? Feel free to hit the poll and sound off in the comments below.