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The Champions League returned for the round of 16 stage after a two-month break, as the best clubs in Europe resumed hostilities in a bid to be crowned the best club on the continent.
Elsewhere, domestic leagues are also approaching the crunch stage, as the title contenders have been separated from the rest of the chasing pack.
Some major clubs still find themselves in the running to achieve their season objectives, while others have fallen some way off and find themselves having to do some damage limitation.
One of the clubs in the former category happens to be Real Madrid, as the Spanish giants find themselves in the running for a fourth consecutive Champions League crown, while also being firmly in the La Liga race. They also have a Copa Clasico semifinal second leg clash with arch-rivals Barcelona to look forward to.
For all of the success Real Madrid have achieved throughout their illustrious history, one thing which has eluded them has been a treble, as Los Blancos have never had the distinction of winning La Liga, the UCL and Copa Del Rey in a single season.
However, they are perfectly primed to achieve that feat this season. In this piece, we shall take a look at three reasons which may see Real Madrid triumph on three fronts this season.
#3 They have gotten into form at the right time
It is no hidden secret that Real Madrid began the season disastrously, struggling badly for form and in front of goal which led to the termination of Julen Lopetegui’s contract in October of last year just 14 matches into his tenure.
Former Real player Santiago Solari was appointed in his stead and despite initial struggles, has balanced the squad and guided them back firmly into the title race in Spain, with their morale-boosting 3-1 victory over Atletico in the Madrid derby pushing them up into second place.
Under his guidance, Real have been unbeaten for seven consecutive matches, which included tough trips away to both Atletico and Barcelona.
Real Madrid were poor earlier on in the season, but trophies are not handed out in September or October. They are peaking at the right point in the season when the major tournaments are decided and if they are to keep up this form, there could be no stopping them in their quest for a first ever treble.
#2 They have a favorable UCL draw
Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Atletico Madrid. These four teams have all made it to a Champions League final in the last six seasons and were among the pre-season favorites to make it all the way to the latter knockout rounds this term.
However, all four teams have been paired with themselves, meaning that two of them must be eliminated at the round-of-16 stage.
By contrast, Real Madrid will come up against Ajax who, for all of their pedigree and illustrious past, have not exactly been the strongest of teams in recent years and this is a fixture which Real Madrid would be expected to win with ease and progress to the quarterfinals.
With Real Madrid’s progress to the quarterfinals all but guaranteed and with two fewer contenders to worry about, the pathway to winning a fourth consecutive Champions League crown is looking more favorable for Real Madrid.
#1 They hold the advantage in the Copa Del Rey
Four months ago, Real Madrid visited the Camp Nou in LaLiga for the first Clasico of the season and the scandalous result that followed is one which will live long in the memory of Real fans, as the Blaugrana totally decimated their rivals in a 5-1 humbling with Luis Suarez scoring a hat-trick.
That was the lowest point of Real in a long while and led to the termination of Lopetegui’s contract, but in signs of how much things have improved since then, Real Madrid visited the Camp Nou once more in the Copa del Rey last week and left with a 1-1 draw, with Real having the right to feel very aggrieved at having not picked up the victory.
On the night, out of favor attacker Malcom snatched a second-half equalizer to keep the tie very much in the balance and ensure there is all to play for for both sides heading into the second leg.
Real Madrid secured a draw while also scoring a valuable away goal and while it would be foolhardy to dismiss Barcelona’s chances owing to the pedigree and quality of their players, the advantage is undoubtedly with Real Madrid and if they can successfully navigate their way around Barca, they would come up against Real Betis or Valencia and would fancy their chances against either of them for a first Copa Del Rey triumph since 2014.
