Remembering legendary teams and their paths to glory
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Real Madrid won a 15th Champions League title when they beat Borussia Dortmund at Wembley to round off another fantastic season that included winning La Liga. Los Blancos have become the dominant force in European football, and with the signing of Kylian Mbappe officially announced from Paris Saint Germain, the Premier League sides will know those checking the football bet UK odds will see the Spaniards as regular favourites for the biggest trophies in the coming years.
Carlo Ancelotti inherited a side that won three consecutive titles between 2016 and 2018, adding two more with victories over Dortmund and Liverpool respectively. The Italian could build a dynasty in his second stint at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, with Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso likely to be his predecessor.
Madrid have all the makings of a legendary team, but how do they compare to some of the greatest club sides of all time?
In this article, we assess some of the best sides to grace the beautiful game and look at how they were able to sustain their dominance. Read on to find out more.
Manchester United - 1993-2013
Manchester United, under Sir Alex Ferguson’s management, dominated English football during the 1990s. Their “Class of '92” – including players like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and David Beckham – played a pivotal role in their success. The Scot captured 13 Premier League titles throughout his time with the Red Devils but was always able to rebuild his sides and evolve with the game.
This wasn’t an overnight process. United would have to wait three years for a title between 2004 and 2007, picking up just an FA Cup in that time. However, Ferguson rebuilt a side that could compete with Arsenal and Chelsea, winning three in a row himself with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Carlos Tevez. United also reached three Champions League finals in four years, but were thwarted by Pep Guardiola’s swashbuckling Barcelona on two occasions, winning just one in 2008 against Chelsea.
Juventus - 2011-2018
Juventus dominated Serie A during this period, winning seven consecutive league titles. Their success was built on a solid defence led by Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini. The midfield brilliance of Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba, along with the goalscoring prowess of Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuaín, propelled them to domestic dominance.
Juventus were so successful because the core of the side remained together for so many years. In almost every league title win it was the same names on the team sheet, incorporated with some continental flair to ensure the trophies were constantly arriving to Turin.
Antonio Conte oversaw an invincible season in 2012, while Massimiliano Allegri guided The Old Lady to two Champions League finals in three years, although Barcelona and Real Madrid were able to get the better of them on the biggest stage.
Paris Saint-Germain - 2010-present
Paris Saint-Germain’s transformation from a mid-tier French club to a global powerhouse has been remarkable. With stars like Zlatan Ibrahimović, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé, they’ve dominated Ligue 1 and consistently challenged in Europe, thanks to the sovereign wealth of the Qatar State. The Parisians have only failed to capture the league title twice since the spending started, with a conveyor belt of talent arriving at the Parc des Princes.
Their quest for a UEFA Champions League title continues, making them a team to watch after reaching the final in 2020, but narrowly losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich – Kingsley Coman, a former academy prodigy at PSG before the new money saw £53 million Angel Di Maria replace him, scored the winner for the Bavarians.