✍️  Kaustubh Thakur

🗓️ Mar 4, 2024

Real Madrid’s Resilience Shines: Overcoming Injuries and Forgoing Signings to Secure Impressive Champions League Victory

The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 commenced reently, featuring fixtures where PSG and Manchester City secured expected victories against Real Sociedad and F.C. Copenhagen, respectively. The notable upset occurred when Lazio inflicted a 1-0 defeat upon Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Real Madrid clinched a hard-fought 1-0 win away at RB Leipzig, courtesy of Brahim Diaz’s remarkable long-range strike. While the result may seem ordinary at first glance, a closer examination reveals a more compelling narrative.

Why the Result Was More Impressive Than it Appears

Real Madrid’s season has been significantly hampered by injuries. Los Blancos suffered the loss of Thibaut Courtois to an ACL injury before the season even began. Additionally, defenders Eder Militao and David Alaba endured ACL injuries, leaving Real Madrid without their preferred central defensive pairing. While Antonio Rudiger and Nacho admirably filled in during their absence, the squad’s limited depth in central defense left them vulnerable to potential disasters.

Real Madrid’s Surprising Decision to Forgo January Signings

Real Madrid has traditionally been hesitant to make January signings, citing concerns about limited options and inflated market prices. Despite this, the absence of reinforcements in January, especially in central defense, proved challenging. With both Rudiger and Nacho sidelined due to injuries, Madrid faced Girona without a recognized center-back. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Dani Carvajal are commendably deputized as makeshift defenders, but the imminent return of Rudiger, Nacho, and Eder Militao highlights the team’s precarious situation.

The Key to Real Madrid’s Success

The essence of Real Madrid’s success lies in the club’s culture and the leadership of manager Carlo Ancelotti. Real Madrid players consistently prioritize the club’s interests above their own, exemplified by instances such as Sergio Ramos adapting to right-back, David Beckham slotting into central midfield, and Raul operating on the wing. More recently, Eduardo Camavinga’s adaptability has been instrumental. The current squad exhibits a strong camaraderie and unwavering commitment to the club’s ethos.

Experiencing the Real Madrid Way at ISM GLOBE

Students at ISM GLOBE have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Real Madrid way through the PGPSM in collaboration with ESCUELA UNIVERSITARIA REAL MADRID UNIVERSIDAD EUROPEA. ISM GLOBE & EURM offer students a dual certification program in sports management and technology that provides insights from both institutions and global exposure to the sports industry.