The 1998 Merengues celebrate their Champions League conquest.
Real Madrid went a long span without winning the European Cup, so much so that the competition changed its name in the process, becoming the Champions League in 1993. It would be five years later until Real could break through into the finals, but in 1998 with names such as Raúl, Roberto Carlos, Predrag Mijatović and Clarence Seedorf they were able to secure their seventh title. Amsterdam was the locale for the final, and Juventus was their opponent, and much as was the style of Italian soccer, it was a very defensive game. There was only one goal scored, and it happened to be Mijatović’s in the 66th minute that gave Real their seventh title.
Two years later, Real would go on to win their eighth title in what was a first in the European Cup/Champions League. Two teams from the same country battling it out for the European crown as Real Madrid took on Valencia. Vicente del Bosque was at the helm of his old club and he led them to glory in the Champions League as headed goal from Fernando Morientes and a fantastic Steve McManaman saw los Blancos up by two goals. Then, Raúl sealed the championship with a third, rounding Santiago Cañizares after Real had cleared a Valencia corner.
Two years later, in 2002, Real saw some great new faces come into the squad. Legends like Zinédine Zidane, Luís Figo, Iván Helguera and Claude Makélélé brought Real their ninth title with a one-goal victory over Bayer Leverkusen. Raúl scored the first goal for Real, but this game will forever be remembered by this amazing volleyed goal by Zizou that would give Real the 2-1 victory for their ninth Champions League crown.
A long finals appearance drought for Real Madrid would end in 2014, when another all-Spanish final set up the Madrid derby as the Champions League final. It was Atlético Madrid against Real Madrid with the European Cup title at stake. Diego Godín got the scoring started in the 36th minute for Atléti and it looked as if Atletico was to win their first European Cup in club history. But then Sergio Ramos happened.
A dagger in the heart of Atlético players and fans everywhere as the last-gasp goal by Sergio Ramos leveled the game for Real. That in turn, allowed extra time to keep the game going and three quick goals by Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo in the second half of extra time sealed the win for Real Madrid by a score of 4-1.
And now, just two years after that heart-stopping final, we are here again. The all-Spanish, Madrid derby final that is Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid. For all the marbles. For European supremacy. What will be the outcome of the game? Will Atlético be able to gain revenge on their more successful counterpart? Or will Madrid continue on their supremacy of what is the European Cup. Well one thing for sure, Merengue fans will have only four words to say come Saturday.
A por la undécima. For the eleventh one.
