The hardest LM journey in history? Real Madrid had to knock out PSG, Chelsea and City, with Liverpool still to come

Real Madrid’s incredible run is not over. Despite all the obstacles and pitfalls, the royal club has reached the Champions League final and its journey could not have been more difficult. Is this the most complicated pavilion in the history of the millionaire competition?

When Real Madrid entered the competition, nobody thought it was much of a favourite. PSG, with its trio of Messi – Neymar – Mbappé, or the star-studded Manchester City were the most trusted, while Bayern Munich and Liverpool were also mentioned.

But it never pays to underestimate a royal club. Real Madrid made it to the final, and were not the favourites in either round. Moreover, in all three, the proverbial ‘remontada’ or comeback had to come.

If you look at the journey of the other finalist, it’s a huge disparity. Liverpool met Inter Milan, Benfica Lisbon and Villarreal on their way to Paris. That’s a huge disparity with the teams Real Madrid had to deal with. Let’s recap his playoff journey.

PSG

Right off the bat, the toughest possible opponent. Although Real won their group, it was PSG who caught the “black petre” from the second place. Apart from the Madrid fans, almost everyone favoured the Parisians, led by a stellar attacking trio. And for a long time, it looked like PSG would be the one to advance. They won the first leg 1:0 and in the return leg they were also leading 1:0 at half-time.

But the second half saw an unprecedented storm at the Bernabéu, with Karim Benzema’s hat-trick seeing off PSG in the eighth round. From this match onwards, Real Madrid seemed to become immortal.

Chelsea

The quarter-finals and once again one of the toughest possible opponents. The defending Champions League champions and the unpopular opponent who knocked Real out last year. Given the Blues’ demanding, aggressive and running style, which does not suit Real at all, the English were considered the favourites.

But the first match proved the complete opposite. Benzema’s hat-trick took Stamford Bridge by surprise, but Real could have scored many more goals. But in the rematch at the Bernabéu, Chelsea took a 3-0 lead after a fantastic performance and by then everyone was writing off the White Ballet. Wrong. Real came back from the dead, turned the tables again after goals from Rodrygo and Benzema and went through to the semi-finals.

Manchester City

The third opponent from the most difficult possible category. Manchester City are one of the best teams in the world at the moment, they have been dominating the Premier League for the last few years and reached the Champions League final last year. It was predicted that the Citizens’ sophisticated style of play would be beyond Real Madrid.

And for a while in the first leg, it looked like it. In the 11th minute, Pep Guardiola’s charges were 2-0 up and it seemed all but done. But the match eventually ended 3: 4, a very merciful result for the away side. Many experts in Spain claimed that it was a mistake not to “kill” Real while they could, because if there is even a one percent chance, the Merengues do not give up.

Even at 0:1 (3:5 overall) in the 90th minute. How many teams in the world could still turn this around? At the moment, probably only one. In the 90th and 91st minutes came Rodrygo’s goals and in extra time, Benzema’s goal sent Real into the final.

Liverpool

In the final, Real Madrid have another big task ahead of them. Liverpool are the team with probably the best form in the world at the moment, attacking all 4 trophies. Moreover, this is a replay of the 2018 final, when Liverpool were sunk by the mistakes of goalkeeper Loris Karius, so the Reds are eager for revenge. Will Real Madrid overcome even a fourth tough opponent and make history as the winner of the toughest Champions League edition?

Source: UEFA