This team needs a proper eulogy. People will always refer to the three in a row, but it's even more historic they won 4 in 5 CLs. Only Di Stefano's RM bested this with 5 in 5.
2014 saw the team bring the coveted Decima to the Bernabeu after a 12 year drought, under Don Carlo Ancelotti who was known for his specialty in knockout tournaments. It'll always be remembered for one of football's clutchest moments, and began the legend of the polarizing Ramos.
In 2016, the relatively goofy Benitez was replaced midseason by footballing elegance personified in Zidane. He closed down the gap in La Liga to just 1 point to end the season, and began the run that would make this group legendary
The 2016-17 double-winning side picked up where Zizou left off and were the apex of this run. Zizou was at his managing peak with his rotations, and the roster was stacked, having a bench that featured James, Isco, Pepe, Morata, Kovacic, Asensio, and Vazquez (they scored 6 in fashion in one match, something our current A team can only dream of.) They won the league with late dramatic goals, and most importantly, in the battle of the unstoppable force vs the immovable object, they showed us who comes out on top.
(and did it in stylish purple that was befitting of their historic 73-match scoring streak, the most ever by a team in Europe.)
Last season was this group's
real last hoorah. The problems were there to be seen in La Liga. The defensive vulnerabilities being exploited by even the small teams, and the lack of guys other than CR7 stepping up to score. But like veterans and champions do, they were able to hit the on switch when it mattered for one last run.
This is the group that I'll personally remember as The Road Warriors.
After going into the round of 16 against PSG as underdogs, and being criticized for having easy knockout matches in their previous CL wins, they successfully went through a gauntlet of domestic champions. Winning matches at PSG, Juventus, and Bayern Munich.
This season was like how I imagine it is to watch an old relative, who even in old age was sharp and strong, whither away in their last months. You can't deny it happened, but you choose to not remember them in that way. I think history will remember this group's time coming to an end when Zizou and CR7 left. And will hopefully look back at this season as being part of a transition that leads to another era of glory.
R.I.P.
And last but not least
HALA MADRID Y NADA MAS
