Surreal expectations at Real Madrid?

-


Photo Credit – Official Real Madrid Facebook Page[1]

"It's true that this season, things haven't gone as well as we would have liked but, after three incredible seasons, it's normal to go through what we are going through at the moment. Now, all we can do is continue working hard so we can return to win again next season", said Toni Kroos from the German camp (AS, 2019)[2]

Indeed, 3 back-to-back UEFA Champions League (“UCL") triumphs would have cemented all the players who participated in the aforesaid campaigns as club legends, even demigods at any other club in the world. Marcelo, Ramos, Varane, Modric, Kroos, Carvajal, Vasquez, Asensio and Navas amongst others would be celebrated and glorified as heroes on the pitch after having achieved what no club in the modern era has done i.e. successfully defended the UCL, let alone twice.

However, one horrific week of football and Madrid finds itself out of every competition in March. Unusual, unfamiliar, incomprehensible but “normal”? As Sid Lowe brilliantly summarized the week in his tweet to put things in context:


Losing 4-1 to Ajax at the Bernabeu cannot be considered as “normal”.

Real Madrid out of Europe in the round of 16 is not “normal”.

Three times back to back UCL winners not in contention for any trophy in as early as March is not “normal”.

Whilst it is impossible to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, and it is undertstandable that every great team undergoes a pathological cycle of success followed by a dip, Real Madrid have got to measure themselves against higher standards. 

Full credit to Florentino Perez, his managers, their teams and the Madridistas at the Bernabeu for having set a very high standard of success over the years. Real Madrid have always been a beacon of ambition, resilience, determination and spirit paralled by none other. Not to rely on past laurels runs in the very hierarchy, length and breadth of the Santiago Bernabeu. 

Therefore, three times back-to-back UCL winners can be treated no differently. 

They have lost a club legend in Cristiano. But they have found one in Zidane.

Back to make things “normal” at Real Madrid, as complacency and failure have never cloaked and should not ever cloak a club of Real Madrid’s stature, irrespective of the cyclical nature of success and failure that marks all great teams. 

This President, this Manager and these players have still got a lot to offer.

Curtains may have shut over this season but it would be advisable not to bet against them in the next.

Authored by Ujwal Vikram Trivedi



[1]As appearing on the Official Facebook Page of Real Madrid, <https://www.facebook.com/RealMadrid/photos/a.298523779952/10151249830139953/?type=3&theater> accessed on March 25, 2019
[2]Reported in AS, < https://en.as.com/en/2019/03/24/football/1553430390_946417.html> accessed on March 24, 2019

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

BUY - Apollo Tricoat Tubes Ltd at Rs. 825

-
Image
 BUY - Apollo Tricoat Tubes Ltd at Rs. 825 Overview of  Apollo Tricoat Tubes Ltd (ATTL) The company primarily produces steel designer roofing and steel door frames. It is a subsidiary of Shri Lakshmi Metal Udyog , a wholly-owned subsidiary of APL Apollo Tubes Ltd .  It has 5 brands in its portfolio which are named as follows: Apollo Chaukhat;  Apollo Elegant;  Apollo Signature;  Apollo Steel Plank; and  (5)  Apollo Wondoor Financials Net Revenue rose by 45% YoY A steep rise in materials consumed has led to a decline in the PAT and PBIDT by 25% The rationale for buying  ATTL at Rs. 825 Draft Scheme of amalgamation was approved with APL Apollo Tubes Ltd. This will benefit ATTL in many ways: it will have a good platform with stable cash flows. Consequently, the Balance Sheet will reflect a stronger position.  lower distribution costs a superior premium de-risking of earnings with the addition of APL Apollo's products Acquired 26% stake by entering into a PPA with Radiance Ka Sunrise
Read more

BUY – Sharda Cropchem Ltd (CMP = Rs. 550)

-
Image
BUY – Sharda Cropchem Ltd (CMP = Rs. 550) 1.      Brief Overview of Sharda Cropchem Ltd (“SCL”) It is a crop protection chemical company that strives to seek product registrations (whilst developing product dossiers) in different countries. It has a presence across the globe in the USA, Europe, and Latin America. 2.      SCL in pole position in each of Porter’s 5 factors 2.1.   SCL has multiple manufacturers, thus aiding the Company in getting good products at a competitive price 2.2.   Fragmentation of buyers in the market reduces the influence of any single buyer having an influence on a given product or price 2.3.   SCL has strong barriers which operate as a hurdle for new players to enter the market. 2.4.   SCL has no threat of substitutes. 2.5.   Agrochemical space is well fragmented comprising of large and small players. 3.      Financials 3.1.   SCL’s revenue has grown by 77% YoY in Q321 3.2.   Top-line up by 35% 3.3.   In Q3FY22, the agrochemical segment
Read more