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Exactly 2 years ago, on the 22nd of May 2014, I wrote an article http://www.news24.com/MyNews24/A-bridge-too-far-for-other-cities-20140522 about how high the two Madrid teams, Atletico and Real, have set the bar for other European Cities to follow. Then, I said their achievement of reaching the Champions League final from the same city was such an extra-ordinary feat that may take a very long time for other European Cities to replicate. While that may be true for other cities, Madrid has just done it again, in a space of just 2 years. They will contest Madrid’s second final at the San Siro Stadium in Italy on Saturday the 28th of May 2016.
That analysis went from other Spanish Cities and Regions, English Cities, German Cities and Regions, Italian cities, French and other European cities and Capitals, without talking about Madrid possible scenario. It was because Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, from the same city of Madrid, were NOT supposed to do this again, let alone in such a short space of time. They have no right to contest this final again as no one does it!
Remember even though some countries have had their derbies, no country has managed to repeat it and their cities were only woken by Madrid in 2014. Spain in 2000, Italy in 2003, England in 2007, and Germany in 2013 was a ‘once-off’ until Madrid brought their final. Yes they are from Spain, which could be classified as a country repeat, but the City has more significance than the country in this instance. France, Portugal, and other second-tier footballing nations are still trying to be part of this elite, so Madrid which is only a City, have no right to contest their final and let alone repeating it before such countries or others repeating it.
But they just did to prove that it wasn’t a bubble. It was based on Madrid’s solid footballing culture that is becoming unmatched by any other city in Europe or even the world. The bar is not just only raised even higher, it’s a feat that would take decades, if not centuries, to achieve by any other European city. To have those teams contest two finals in a space of 3 years would be even harder to achieve. But that football for you. It doesn’t always go according to scripts or predicted trends.
These clashes, country or city derbies in the champions league final, has always favoured the so called bigger clubs in terms of in European pedigree. Real Madrid beat Valencia in France, AC Milan beat Juventus in England, Manchester United beat Chelsea in Russia, Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund in England, and Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid in Portugal. Real has 10 European Champions League medals to Valencia's and Atletico Madrid's none, AC Milan has 6 medals to Juventus' 1, Manchester United has 3 medals to Chelsea's 1 and Bayern Munich has 5 medals to Dortmund's 1.
Of course in stages earlier than the final, it’s a different ball game. Valencia did eliminate Barcelona in the semi-finals in 2000, Atletico Madrid eliminated Barcelona in this year’s quarter finals, Chelsea eliminated Liverpool in 2007’s quarter finals, etc. All these teams have less European Champions League pedigree to these country’s counterparts, but in the final it’s been a different matter altogether.
But these are once-off games and are always difficult to predict, but the trend might just continue here, even though this Atletico side is extremely resolute.
Congratulations once again to Spanish football in general and the city of Madrid in particular. They keep doing the unthinkable. Other countries and cities have got a lot to learn and some catch-up to do!
