How sublime management outscored sublime talent. Curious case of Real Madrid vs Barcelona.

CARDIFF, Wales, June 2nd; a success hard to define came to Los Blancos (Real Madrid). After sweeping Juventus 4-1 in the Final of the Champions League, Zinedine Zidan's team forever cemented its place in the football history as the first side to successfully defend the Champions League title in its current format.

The moment of utmost significance transformed Real Madrid's recent primacy arguably into a hegemony. There is simply no other way to describe the 3 Champions League trophies in last 4 years. What adds Jewel in this crown is the fact that widely considered as the Best XI in modern Football in the name of Barcelona and its leaders: Messi, Suarez and Neymar, the notorious MSN, were watching success of their arch rivals through a TV screen. In this post, I will address key reasons why Real Madrid outwitted Barcelona and reached the global domiance it seeked for past 15 years, ever since the first Galactico.

For years, people widely assumed that collection of best talent on the field guaranteed success on the scoreboard. Such approach was first thing to change, since amateur coach Zinedine Zidane took charge of dismanteled Blancos almost year and a half ago. Serving as an assistant coach for Carlo Ancheloti during La Desima (Real Madrid's 10th title in Champions League) Zidane gradually became a chief advisor for Real Madrid's president Florentino Perez. He personaly oversaw incoming of youth talent in Spanish capital without disrupting the dominant core of Madrid's starting line up.

During Benitez reign Madrid were the most miserable side in years, 11 points behind Barcelona, even the most loyal fans mocked their chances in Champions League. Zidane inherited such a team 4 months before the end of season. That year Real Madrid went as far as winning the Champions League against city rivals Atletico Madrid and narrowly missed chance to win La Liga, finishing only 1 point behind Barcelona. Simply magical.

Last season, Madrid was rocked by Transfer ban, essentially banning them from signing new players for next two transfer windows. Florentino Perez was left with a dilemma, whether to invest huge that summer or risk being vulnerable at key positions for years to come. However, it was Zidane how made a final call, gathered all players on a dinner and announced that Madrid trusted its players and there was no need for new additions. He promised everyone chance to excel and to prove themselves and boy Zidane delivered on his promise.

Last season, Madrid was unprecedented, unparalleled, scoring in every single competitive match consecutively. A feat unmatched throughout the history of football, ended up winning La Liga and Champions League, there first Double in last 60 years. Many argue that a unexpected insurgence of young talent that Zidane brought in Madrid over years fueled such marvelous season. Yet, as players continue to comment in interviews they unanimously say that it was that dinner that made them WANT to step up for the challenge. It was the Zidane and his reputation of keeping his word that made players believe that promise of playing time was not a empty word of an amateur coach. Truth be told: Zidane made numerous highly controversial decisions during that period: playing inexperienced youngsters in key moments, changing tactics sometimes multiple times during crucial games, but end result was same: Madrid just could not stop winning. Even after starting Champions League final with their two star players Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, both Top 10 Football players, (170 million Euros in value) on the bench, Madrid scored 4 goals to the side that had conceded only 3 times in ENTIRE Champions League campaign. Zidane made players realize that even stars sometimes, when their playing style does not fit the tactical scheme to beat opponents, should not start. A far cry from Barcelona's approach.

Real Madrid played twice Barcelona last season, drawing one and losing another. As Barcelona's star defender Pique is always keen to point out: on paper Barcelona looks superior to Madrid's side. Yet, the correct management of star players ego and creating an unpresendented sense of unity in the team allowed Madrid and not Barcelona to reach the magical Fairy Land of landing a consecutive Champions League titles. A feat that alluded even the Guardiola's famous Barcelona, widely regarded as one of the best sides in world football history.

As an acclaimed sports reporter for New York Times Rory Smith pointed out:

"This Real Madrid does stand for something. It stands for a simplicity that jars at a time when soccer is in thrall to complexity; for the cold truth that if you put 11 extremely talented players on a field, they are capable of remarkable things."

This is the story of Madrid.