Real Madrid

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Real Madrid
Original Name	皇家马德里
Alias(es)	“Galactic Battleship” 114
Location	Madrid, Spain 174
Affiliation	La Liga 174
Occupation/Role	Professional football club
President	Florentino Perez 114
Home Ground	Santiago Bernabeu Stadium 174
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 70

History

Florentino Perez era

Florentino Perez became president in July 2000 after defeating Lorenzo Sanz with 55% of the vote. His campaign centered on the promise to sign Barcelona captain Luis Figo; Figo arrived for a then-world-record $56.1 million. 114

Perez also sold the city-center Deportiva training ground to Madrid’s municipal government for €480 million. The sale cleared the club’s €270 million debt and funded a larger, better-equipped suburban training base. 114

His first presidency built the “Galactic Battleship” through one major superstar acquisition per year:

Year	Signing	Notes
2000	Luis Figo	Signed from Barcelona for $56.1 million. 114
2001	Zinedine Zidane	World Cup and European Championship winner. 114
2002	Ronaldo	Signed as the world-conquering “alien.” 114
2003	David Beckham	Added as the club’s most marketable star. 114
2004	Michael Owen	England forward signed as part of the annual superstar policy. 114

Perez expanded Real Madrid’s commercial identity beyond player trading, using sponsorships, club-branded sportswear, and international franchised stores. His administration promoted the image of Real Madrid as football’s “best, noblest, and richest” club. 114

Despite its wealth and star power, the club repeatedly struggled to match expectations on the pitch. From 2001 to 2013, it changed managers twelve times—including Capello, Mourinho, and Del Bosque—and won the UEFA Champions League only once, in 2001–02. 114

“If I am elected, the first thing I will do is bring Luis Figo to the Santiago Bernabeu.” 114

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

The Santiago Bernabeu opened on December 14, 1947. It is Real Madrid’s home ground and also serves as a home venue for the Spain national team. 174

Hosted final	Year(s)
UEFA Champions League / European Cup final	1957, 1969, 1980, 2010 174
UEFA European Championship final	1964 174
FIFA World Cup final	1982 174

The Bernabeu is described as the first European stadium to host both the European Championship final and the World Cup final. 174

Supporter culture

• Real Madrid supporters commonly fill the stadium and surrounding streets in white shirts, scarves, and flags while singing “Hala Madrid.” 174 287
• Fans regard the club as Madrid’s sole true representative and view Atletico Madrid as challengers beneath their status. 287
• During tense derbies, supporters have used the Bernabeu atmosphere to pressure opponents, including sustained boos toward Chen Anno after he chose Atletico Madrid. 292 343
• Even amid poor results, supporters continued to attend in force and back the team at home. 287

Football

2013–14 tactical profile

Under Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid’s projected starting shape featured Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Adrián Ramos, and Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Modric, and Isco or Casemiro; plus Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, and Gareth Bale. 174

The side’s defining attacking approach was rapid wing play and counterattacking, with Ronaldo and Bale providing pace on either flank. 174 185

Tactical element	Description
Wing attacks	Real Madrid’s trademark was to advance rapidly down both flanks. 174
Counterattacks	The front three rarely tracked back, allowing the team to commit quickly into space after turnovers. 185
Midfield adaptation	Ancelotti introduced Casemiro for Xabi Alonso to add defensive cover against Chen Anno, freeing Modric to contribute at both ends. 179
Modric’s role	Modric could form a deeper double pivot with Casemiro when defending, then use disguised long passes and outside-of-the-foot deliveries to launch attacks. 179

2014–15 tactical profile

Rafael Benitez initially retained Ancelotti’s 4-3-3, fielding Casillas behind Marcelo, Adrián Ramos, Pepe, Carvajal, Isco, Modric, James Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, and Bale. 275

Under Zinedine Zidane, the team remained built around the BBC front line—Bale, Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo—but became faster and more direct on the counterattack. Modric was given expanded freedom to organize play, while the side could also dominate possession against weaker opponents. 330

A recurring weakness was midfield ball-winning. Against Atletico Madrid, Khedira was often the only dedicated protector available, forcing Pepe and Adrián Ramos to leave the defensive line to assist against Chen Anno. 330

Management

Manager	Documented role and outcome
Carlo Ancelotti	Managed Real Madrid during the 2013–14 UEFA Champions League meetings with Borussia Dortmund; adjusted the midfield by introducing Casemiro and giving Modric greater freedom. 175 179
Rafael Benitez	Began 2014–15 as head coach but endured heavy defeats to Atletico Madrid, including a 3–4 home derby loss. He was dismissed after less than two months. 275 292
Zinedine Zidane	Took over after Benitez’s dismissal, initially as interim manager. His first official match ended in a 5–1 victory, and he later prepared Real Madrid’s attempts to end its derby losing run. 292 295 385

Transfers and Recruitment

• Gareth Bale — Signed for €101 million, officially ushering football into the era of nine-figure transfers. 143
• Chen Anno pursuit — Real Madrid offered Borussia Dortmund €90 million and proposed a €7 million annual salary plus a signing bonus of at least that amount. 116
• Chen Anno pursuit — Florentino later considered an offer of €110 million plus a €10 million signing bonus, partly valuing Chen Anno’s Chinese commercial potential. 115
• Toni Kroos — After two years of pursuit, Real Madrid signed Kroos from Atletico Madrid for €80 million. 433
• Alvaro Morata — Repurchased from Juventus for €30 million. 433

Rivalries and Major Arcs

Borussia Dortmund confrontation

Real Madrid drew Borussia Dortmund in the 2013–14 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals after eliminating Schalke 04 9–2 on aggregate. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in each leg against Schalke and reached thirteen goals in the competition. 173

In the first quarterfinal leg at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid drew 3–3 with Dortmund. Ancelotti’s side relied on sustained pressure, wide attacks, and midfield adjustments to contain Chen Anno. 175 179 181

Chen Anno transfer rejection

Real Madrid’s pursuit of Chen Anno created the expectation among many supporters that he would join the club. His decision to sign for Atletico Madrid instead was treated by Madridistas as a personal betrayal. 116 267

The move intensified hostility between Chen Anno and Real Madrid supporters, who considered Atletico an inferior rival and resented his rejection of the club’s offer. 267 292

2014 Spanish Super Cup defeat

Real Madrid lost the first leg of the 2014 Spanish Super Cup 2–6 at the Bernabeu. Chen Anno scored four goals, while Pepe was sent off after a reckless tackle. 280 282

Atletico then won the second leg 4–0, completing a 10–2 aggregate victory. Real Madrid’s supporters turned on Benitez and the team, while the club faced further scrutiny over Pepe’s foul. 282

Early-season league derby crisis

In the third Madrid Derby of the season, Real Madrid lost 3–4 at home to Atletico Madrid. Chen Anno scored four goals after Gareth Bale had equalized at 3–3, making Chen Anno’s tally eight goals in two Bernabeu matches. 291 292

The defeat led directly to Benitez’s dismissal. Zidane was appointed in his place amid mixed media and fan reactions. 292

Copa del Rey pursuit of revenge

By the Copa del Rey Round of 16, Real Madrid had lost its previous three meetings with Atletico Madrid and treated the tie as a matter of club pride. 324 329

Zidane’s 4-3-3 used Modric, Khedira, and James Rodriguez behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, and Bale. The side remained dangerous in transition but continued to struggle with Atletico’s midfield pressure and Chen Anno’s dribbling. 328 330

After another derby defeat, Real Madrid had lost five consecutive matches to Atletico Madrid. Florentino personally addressed the squad before their next meeting, demanding a victory to restore the club’s dignity. 364

UEFA Champions League quarterfinal defeat

Real Madrid entered the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals seeking to end a six-match losing streak against Atletico Madrid. Zidane emphasized a plan centered on containing Chen Anno and countering Atletico’s high press and rapid transitions. 385 364

Atletico won the first leg 4–1 at the Calderon. Chen Anno scored twice, including a solo run past five Real Madrid players, while Cristiano Ronaldo scored a late goal. 389 390 391

In the return leg at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid began 1–4 down on aggregate and fielded its strongest attack. Chen Anno scored twice as Atletico advanced 6–3 on aggregate. 394

Relationships

• Florentino Perez — President whose commercial strategy, star-signing policy, and demand for elite results define the club’s direction. 114 364
• Zinedine Zidane — Former Galactico signing who became manager after Rafael Benitez’s dismissal. 114 292
• Cristiano Ronaldo — Central attacking star and the player expected to lead Real Madrid’s challenge against Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Chen Anno. 114 330
• Atletico Madrid — Bitter city rival; Atletico’s repeated derby victories caused major pressure on Real Madrid’s coaches, players, supporters, and president. 282 364 394
• Borussia Dortmund — UEFA Champions League quarterfinal opponent in 2013–14; the previous season’s defeat remained a source of revenge motivation for Real Madrid supporters. 174
• Chen Anno — Targeted by Real Madrid before joining Atletico Madrid; became the club’s most feared derby opponent after scoring 21 goals in eight meetings during the 2014–15 season. 116 394

Trivia

• Real Madrid’s €101 million signing of Gareth Bale is presented as the transfer that officially began football’s hundred-million-euro era. 143
• The club’s supporters call the Bernabeu a “white temple” and see it as a symbol of Real Madrid’s status in Madrid. 287 394
• Florentino’s 2000 Figo pledge included a promise to personally buy season tickets for every club member if he failed. 114