5 potential after-effects of a bad Real Madrid season

#3 The power in European football may shift

Teams like Manchester City are waiting in the wings to seize power from Real Madrid

Go back a decade in European football and the Premier League was clearly on top; England’s top division arguably reached its peak in 2008, when Chelsea and Manchester United contested the Champions League final. After that period, Barcelona clearly took over and dominated under Pep Guardiola.

Since Guardiola departed Barca though, the power in European football has clearly been with Real Madrid. They’ve won three of the last four Champions Leagues and play host to many of the world’s best players.

If they have a poor season in 2017/18, though, and end up coming away empty-handed, it could signal that the power in European football is once again shifting. Nothing lasts forever, just ask Barcelona – and so the end of Madrid’s dominance may well be upon us.

It could even be the case that people point to the Tottenham loss as the moment in which Real were finally knocked from their perch. If that is the case, which club might take over as the dominant power?

Well, most fingers would point to the Premier League. England once again has the most money within its clubs and with five sides thriving in the Champions League this year, the chances of the big trophy heading back to England seem pretty high. Manchester City, in particular, have looked phenomenal under Guardiola, and after their win last night nobody would count out Tottenham.

But perhaps the power could instead shift to France and Paris St. Germain. The big-spending side has, arguably, the best frontline in the world with Neymar, Cavani and Mbappe, and have scored 17 Champions League goals so far while conceding none. It almost sounds Real-esque.