
2014-15
4 games to shape Madrid's seasonJust a few games left in the eventful season at Real Madrid. They are within touching distance of an unbeaten season with the Copa del Rey already secured. The toughest test will be the away leg of the Champions League semi final against Lyon. A 4-4 draw at home has left Madrid with a game they must win to progress. Man United have a 2-1 lead against Bayern Munich in the other game and with the final at Old Trafford it could be a big test for whoever makes it.
La LigaReal Madrid 3-0 Real SociedadWith the massive Champions League game 3 days away the reserve side was sent out to great effect. One of those was Sergio Canales, paired up top with Sergio Aguero, who played a great game. He was put in on goal early on and held off the defender the strike a great left foot shot into the far corner. Another great piece of play led to Aguero being put through, he took it round one and placed in the bottom corner. Late on Canales was put in again and produced another goal of great quality.
Champions League Semi-Final 2nd LegLyon 0-2 Real MadridA giant of a game for Madrid. They had to win to go to the final and Lyon knew they only needed a draw. The first half was cagey and Lyon defended well with only a few rushed shots getting through. The second half saw a change in formation to push for the goal Madrid needed but still they couldn't break through. Again they switched even more aggressive and in the 72nd minute Lukaku broke through and held off 2 challenges to hammer past the keeper. Lyon opened up as they saw it drifting away and on 86 minutes Di Maria hit a shot which deflected across goal, Neymar latched onto it and buried it past Lloris to secure a place in the final.
La LigaGetafe 1-2 Real MadridThe last game of the season and a chance to end unbeaten for Madrid. They put out a full strength side with the Champions League final just under 2 weeks away. Lukaku scored early on to take the lead of the goal scoring charts after Neymar chipped the ball over the defence. Neymar wasn't going to be outdone though and beat 2 players with great skill and scored. It was comfortable throughout the first half but in the second Getafe came out fighting and got a goal back but Madrid held out and ended unbeaten.
Champions League Final
VS
Old Trafford 30th May 2015
A chance for the manager of Real Madrid to win a 3rd consecutive Champions League crown. Madrid started their strongest team possible. After 17 minutes Lukaku got through on goal and calmly put the ball past the keeper to give Madrid the lead. Madrid held strong against an attacking front 4 of Robben, Modric, Ribery & Muller but on 53 minutes a poor clearance from Casillas landed at Mullers feet and he beat the keeper with a great strike. Both teams went at it and it looked like it was going to extra time but on 85 minutes a great piece of wing play got the ball across for Lukaku to put Madrid in the lead. That wasn't to be the end though, Munich pushed on and on 88 minutes Muller broke through and put a powerful shot into the top corner to take the game to extra time. Just 6 minutes into extra time Neymar made a great run, took it past 2 players and beat the keeper and give Madrid an extra time lead. They shored up the defence and held out to take home the Champions League crown and the treble.
Real Madrid 3-2 Bayern Munich (AET)
Final La Liga table1. Real Madrid
2. Villareal
3. Atletico Madrid
4. Barcelona
5. Sevilla
6. Espanyol18. Celta Vigo
19. Valladolid
20. Grenada
Top Scorers:Lukaku - Real Madrid - 28
Neymar - Real Madrid - 28
Turan - Atletico Madrid - 23
Final SquadGK Casillas 89
RB Ramos 87
CB Hummels 88 +1
CB Sorensen 80
LB Bale 89 +1
RM Di Maria 86
CM Sissoko 82 +1
CM Sahin 87 +1
LM Izquierdo 67 +2
CF Lukaku 85 +2
CF Neymar 90 +1
GK Adan 73
RB Arbeloa 80 -1
CB De Moura 69 +2
CB Albiol 82
CB Varane 74 +1 (On loan at Everton)
LB Coentrao 85
RM Chanturia 81
CM Alonso 86
CM Khedira 83
CM Kaka 86
CM Canales 78
CM Adryan 72 +1
LM Mata 86
CF Aguero 89
Top Performers:Romelu Lukaku P-46, G-41, A-20
Neymar P-42, G-41, A-18
Nuri Sahin P-42, G-5, A-16
SummaryThe manager took home his 4th league title in a row and his 3rd Champions League crown. Barcelona failed to keep any pace and only finished in the Champions League places on goal difference and due to the two teams above them playing each other on the final day. The coaches former club Chelsea finished their season poorly and were knocked out in the last 16 of the Champions League and only managed a 5th place finish. Despite a fantastic start to the season performances frustrated the coach through the second half of the season and his insistence on signing only 1 year contracts could see him leave Spain in the summer if a suitable offer presented itself, he has previously said only Tottenham would bring him back to England but has never ruled out France or Italy as a destination. The offers on the table to the manager at the end of the season were all challenges, it remains to be seen whether he wants to take another season in charge of Los Blancos:
Standard Liege - £5.5m
Bayer Leverkusen - £16m
Liverpool - £26m
Borussia Dortmund - £30m
Inter Milan - £40m
Paris St Germain - £45m
Real Madrid - £109m