AFTER THE 'FIVE GOALS' IN ARABIA
Madridismo (finally) accepts its inferiority
Published:15/01/2025 - 01:36h
Updated:15/01/2025 - 01:37h
FC Barcelona under Hansi Flick has achieved, after the thrashing in the Super Cup, something unprecedented: a completely resigned madridismo, acknowledging its inferiority to the azulgrana team
The thrashings of FC Barcelona against Real Madrid have been a custom in the last two decades of the 21st century. Since that 0-3 in November 2005, the 'merengue' fans and press have repeatedly faced harsh defeats in Clásicos, to which excuses - or several - always arose to justify the team's ridicule on the field. Except for the aforementioned match at the Santiago Bernabéu, where a good part of the white crowd applauded Ronaldinho, there was no such marked feeling of inferiority in madridismo compared to Barça.
And this despite the fact that, in between, the cycles of Guardiola and Luis Enrique passed, with Pep's team causing the most bitterness to the 'Casa Blanca', winning 14 titles in four years during which Madrid barely won 3 trophies and suffered a 2-6 at Chamartín. There was always a refereeing controversy, an injury, a dispute... Something that diminished the merit of the azulgrana victory, but Hansi Flick's Barça has performed the miracle: finally, madridismo as a whole recognizes that it is far from Barcelona's level.
As soon as the Super Cup final (2-5) ended, both the press and the madridista fans coincidentally agreed, incredibly, on the 'luck' that it meant to have lost by 'only' three goals difference. In that sense, the consensus on the impact of Wojciech Szczesny's expulsion on the result was total. And not to talk about a possible comeback, far from it. The gratitude towards the Pole was almost moving for having saved them from a true massacre that would have left the 'merengue' sports project on the brink of the abyss. One does not have to be too radical to foresee that a difference greater than five goals would have cost Carlo Ancelotti his job.
And perhaps the most striking thing has been the silence of the 'Casa Blanca' after the final in Jeddah. The only one who faced the music after the 'five goals' was Luka Modric, who did not hesitate to admit how "ugly" it is to receive nine goals in two matches against the lifelong rival. The Croatian's relief, coincidentally, came after Florentino Pérez's viral 'consolation' to his captain, pulling irony about the possibility of losing a final. These words, by the way, did not sit well with the 'cavern', nor did the kindness of their president towards the Barça players.
But beyond some resentful individuals who are always present, the Madrid's stance after the final is commendable. Yes. Acknowledging the superiority of the rival is part of the sport, although the arrogance of madridismo fans makes it hard for them to understand. It is also good, from time to time, to engage in self-criticism and understand that one cannot rely solely on epic moments and refereeing favors every season. The white brotherhood has become accustomed in the 2024-25 season to losses in big matches (not just in Clásicos) and there seems to be a certain resignation about what may come in the coming months if they continue with the same plan.
Meanwhile, Barça is taking firm steps towards a 2025 that could be historic and, for the first time in history, there may be a madridismo capable, perhaps not of applauding, but certainly of recognizing the merits of a team that is increasingly well-oiled on the field, with talent and personality to overcome any rival without changing style or idea. There is still much to compete for, but everyone is clear about what to aspire to from now until June.