La Décima! Finally, Real Madrid have got their hands on the famous piece of silverware that has eluded them for 12 long years, in what was a historic final, which saw two teams from the same city go head to head. Last night’s victory will keep Madrid at the top among the European footballing elites and has improved their already illustrious record to ten cups in the competition’s 59 year history. The victory also sees them extend their lead ahead of former European Cup winners Milan (7 cups).
Sooooo, after the long wait and having constantly made a mockery of themselves year after year with excess spending in an attempt to achieve their dream (or rather obsession), what next for Los Merengues and Carlo Ancelotti? Does the club continue to dispense money exorbitantly? Or do they try to build a team, thus creating an air of stability? Or will the club embark on a new obsession in the form of La Undécima?
Unfortunately, I believe the present practices will continue to take precedence and the loyal, not so fickle fans will continue to suffer and most likely will have to wait another decade to see our beloved team lift the continent’s most sought after trophy, which in essence means, La Undécima will develop into a neurosis that will in turn lead to a slew of compulsive acts on their quest to immortality.
The club fails to understand the difference between slightly tweaking a team and completely dismantling it to keep it competitive. And so, I came up with how I believe the team should be slightly adjusted.
The next few changes and possibly the most necessary, as well as, should probably be the only ones are:
- Get rid of Arbeloa and bring in a new right back as a substitute for the impressive Carvajal.
- Find a way to keep Coentrão, who filled in perfectly for Marcelo during his injury problems.
- Bring back Şahin as I believe he is the true heir to Xabi Alonso’s position and with the performances he put in for Dortmund this season, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he is indeed the man to replace the veteran long-term. Additionally, if I had the choice to choose between the German-born, Turkish international and the young Spaniard Illaramendi, who’s season was for the most part disastrous; I would unequivocally choose Nuri.
- An extra center back would be welcomed but it really isn’t a necessity as Nacho has proven he can step up if needed.
Apart from those minor changes, I think the team is perfectly balanced and neither a max exodus nor a surplus of new arrivals are necessary and if that is the case, then it would make Ancelotti’s job all the more difficult.
I continue to celebrate with my team as they achieved an enormous feat against very tough opponents but I hope they realize that this victory still does not justify and will never justify their spending habits and they should strive to create constancy at the club or the wait for yet another victory like yesterday’s may just last another 12 years.
