The year Real Madrid conquered Europe and secured La Décima
In short: In 2013–14, Real Madrid didn't just win trophies; they rewrote the history books. Under new manager Carlo Ancelotti, the club secured a unique European cup double, becoming the first team ever to reach ten European Cup/Champions League titles—an iconic milestone known as La Décima.
The 2013–14 campaign marked a pivotal transition for Real Madrid. Following the departure of José Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti took the helm for his first season. A world-record sum of £85.3 million (€100 million) was paid to Tottenham Hotspur to secure the high-profile acquisition of Gareth Bale by the club. This era also saw the debut of the 'BBC' attacking trio—Bale, Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo—who combined for 97 goals during the season.
While the club fought on three fronts for a continental treble, the results in La Liga were mixed. Despite leading the standings on several occasions and scoring a league-high 104 goals, Madrid finished in third place with 87 points, trailing Atlético Madrid by three points. However, they did secure the Copa del Rey in April, defeating rivals Barcelona in a match where Bale scored the winning goal.
The crowning achievement was the UEFA Champions League. Bayern Munich, the previous winners, were crushed 5–0 on aggregate during the semi-finals, marking Real Madrid's return to the final after a 12-year hiatus. They then faced Atlético Madrid in the final, winning 4–1 after extra time. This victory secured their tenth European Cup, a feat that cemented their status as a premier global powerhouse and defined the 'La Décima' era.
The season was also defined by notable departures and arrivals. It marked the first time since 2005–06 that Gonzalo Higuaín was off the roster, and the first time since 2009–10 without Mesut Özil. To balance the squad, the club signed Dani Carvajal, Casemiro, Isco, and Asier Illarramendi, while navigating a net loss of €57 million in the summer transfer window.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2013–14 Real Madrid CF season
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