A look back at Real Madrid’s failure to reach the Champions League quarter-finals six years in a row

Real Madrid is the most successful club in Champions League history. Not so long ago, even the royal grand club had a very unsuccessful streak in the Champions League, failing to reach the quarter-finals for six long years in a row.

Today, we can look forward to a rematch between Real Madrid and Chelsea in the quarter-finals. That is, between the last two clubs to dominate the Champions League.

The White Ballet will take a promising result and a two-goal lead to London, which will not be an easy situation for the struggling Chelsea.

Last year, Real Madrid footballers managed to win their fourteenth trophy by beating Liverpool in the final and this year they are grinding their teeth for trophy number fifteen. However, the most successful club in this competition has also experienced some difficult moments, as they have not been able to break the curse of eight-final matches for six long years.

The 2004/05 season

The then Real Madrid was brimming with stars. However, the white jersey was worn by footballers such as Iker Casillas, Ronaldo, Raúl, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Luís Figo and Roberto Carlos.

It is unthinkable that such a club could not succeed. Even so, in 2005, it already finished in the eighth round after losing to Juventus. The Spanish club started the double header better, winning 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, the Italian side did better in the rematch, winning 2-0 to advance to the next round of the competition.

2005/06 season

The following season saw a few changes at the club. The future legend of the club, Sergio Ramos, arrived from Sevilla. The attacking ranks were strengthened by the talented Robinho and the star Luis Figo left the club.

The star-studded Real Madrid were defeated by Arsenal, who later went all the way to the final where they lost to Barcelona.

Only one goal was scored in the two matches between the two sides, and that was in favour of Arsenal, who won 1-0 in Madrid.

2006/07 season

Before the start of the season, huge changes took place at the club. Players such as Fabio Cannavaro, Ruud van Nisterlooy and Jose Antonio Reyes joined Madrid. On the other hand, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo left the club.

In the winter, the club added future icons Marcelo and Gonzalo Higuaín.

This season, the White Ballet were not able to beat Bayern Munich. Real Madrid did better in the opening match, celebrating a 3:2 victory. However, in the rematch, they fell 1: 2 and as the away goals rule applied, the German club celebrated their progress.

2007/08 season

Another year and another disappointment for the Royal Grand Club. Even the arrival of the Dutch duo Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder was not enough for success.

In 2008, they were the fate of AS Roma, who managed to win both matches 2-1.

2008/09 season

During this season, Real Madrid faced English side Liverpool in the Champions League semi-finals, which decimated the Spanish club’s players.

In the sum of the two matches, they received five goals from Liverpool and failed to score even one. Real Madrid took a heavy blow and one thing was clear. It was time for a change.

The 2009/10 season

If the previous year’s management did not strengthen much, there was an earthquake in Madrid before the start of this one. Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Kaká, Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa visited the capital. The goal was clear. Success in the Champions League.

But even a massive reinforcement did not bring success. Despite a seemingly favourable draw in the form of French side Lyon, the same fate was repeated.

Real Madrid ended up in the eighth round, losing the first leg 0:1 and the return leg on home soil ended in a 1:1 draw.

Source: Wikipedia