How a team of underdogs achieved the impossible in 2022
In short: Entering the Champions League group stages ranked as low as seventh, Real Madrid faced a gauntlet of heavy favorites. Through a series of dramatic, late-game comebacks, they defied the odds to secure a historic European double and cement a manager's legendary status.
The 2021–22 season began under a cloud of transition. The departure of long-serving captain Sergio Ramos and defender Raphaël Varane in the same window left a significant void in the defense. However, the return of Carlo Ancelotti as head coach on 1 June provided a sense of continuity. Ancelotti, who had previously led the club to La Décima, went on to become the first manager in the club's history to win all six available top-tier major trophies, including La Liga and the Supercopa de España.
The Champions League campaign was defined by improbable resilience. Despite being considered underdogs against every opponent in the knockout phase—including Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Manchester City—Madrid orchestrated a series of cinematic recoveries. Notably, they became the first team since the 2003–04 format introduction to reach the final after losing three separate knockout games. This run included a vital second-leg comeback against Chelsea and a semi-final victory over Manchester City, fueled by goals from Rodrygo and Karim Benzema.
The season culminated in a 1–0 victory over Liverpool in the final, with a second-half goal from Vinícius Júnior securing the club's 14th European Cup. This victory marked Madrid's fifth European title in nine years and Ancelotti's fourth Champions League title as a coach. Domestically, the club secured their 35th La Liga title with four games to spare, their earliest league clinching since 1990, completing a rare European double.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2021–22 Real Madrid CF season
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