Madrid’s season with penalties: from nightmare to glory

Last season, Real Madrid’s experience with penalties was a dramatic journey marked by initial struggles and ultimate triumph. What began as a series of setbacks from the penalty spot eventually led to the glory of winning three major titles, including the Champions League.

 The Challenge After Benzema

The season began with a challenge for coach Carlo Ancelotti: finding a new penalty taker after Karim Benzema left. The Frenchman had been the team’s reliable penalty specialist, and his departure left a significant gap. Ancelotti chose Vinicius Junior to step up, hoping he would embrace the added offensive responsibility.

However, Vinicius’ debut as the primary penalty taker was rocky. In a high-stakes preseason Clasico against Barcelona, he missed his first penalty, hitting the crossbar and missing the chance to tie the game. This miss marked the start of a difficult period for Real Madrid from the penalty spot.

 Struggles and Setbacks

The penalty troubles continued when Vinicius got injured against Celta on the third matchday of the League. In that match, with the score tied at zero, Rodrygo took a penalty in Vinicius’ absence and missed, much to Ancelotti’s frustration as Luka Modric was the designated taker. Thankfully, Jude Bellingham secured the victory with a late goal.

Real Madrid’s penalty woes persisted. In October, Joselu missed a penalty against Osasuna, and in December, Modric missed one against Union Berlin. Despite these misses, Real Madrid won both matches, so the missed penalties did not affect the results.

Turning the Tide

The turning point came in the Spanish Super Cup final. Vinicius redeemed himself by scoring a penalty against Barcelona, helping Real Madrid secure a 3-1 victory. Joselu and Bellingham also converted penalties in subsequent matches, although Joselu missed another in February against Girona.

Despite these setbacks, Real Madrid’s fortunes changed dramatically. In the Champions League quarterfinals, they eliminated Manchester City in a thrilling penalty shootout. Vinicius scored a crucial penalty in the semifinals against Bayern Munich, helping Madrid secure a draw in the first leg. In the second leg, Joselu’s two goals sealed a 2-1 victory, sending Madrid to the final.

In La Liga, Vinicius scored a decisive penalty in a Clasico against Barcelona, contributing significantly to winning the league title.

 From Struggle to Triumph

Real Madrid’s journey with penalties last season highlights a dramatic turnaround. Initial struggles and missed penalties gave way to crucial successes in key moments. This resilience from the spot played a significant role in securing the Champions League, La Liga, and the Spanish Super Cup, turning a nightmare start into a season of glory.