Real Madrid and Dinamo have played only two friendlies

Real Madrid and Dinamo Zagreb will face today, in Maksimir, for the first time in their history in official competition. Never before had happened. But It will not be the first opportunity they will see the faces on the pitch. In the 70's, played two friendly matches in Spain.

The first of them was played in August 1970. It was the match for the third and fourth place in the Costa del Sol trophy, in Malaga. In the semifinals, both teams had fallen into the penalty shootout. The white set, with the Hungarian Vasas after drawing 1-1 in regulation time, and the Croatian team with Malaga after that there was no goal in the match. In the consolation final, Real Madrid defeated Dinamo 4-2 with goals by Pirri, Velázquez, Souk and Fleitas. According to the chronicles, the team, led at the time by Miguel Muñoz, made ​​a great show and its football reached moments of brilliance.

In September 1974, Madrid and Dinamo played the second of the matches whose object was none other than the presentation to the Madrid fans of Paul Breitner. The German player came that summer from Bayern Munich. The demand around the defender, who at the Bernabeu was converted into a midfielder, was highest. In his debut, did not have much luck. Real Madrid fell 3-4 against a Dinamo that surprised the white team. "I am not in good physical conditions. I have trained only a week and a half", German said after the game.

Paul Breitner playing for Real Madrid against Dinamo

German player: Title earned

It seems that the next Real Madrid signings will return to German origin denomination, although in their veins run Turkish blood of their families (in fact, both play with the Turkish national team). Sahin and Altintop, both born in the territory of Germany, will increase the German lineage in Real Madrid.

In recent years, Metzelder went unnoticed and Özil, by far, justified the fifteen million euros were paid to Werder Bremen for his signing. With his quality has managed to forget Guti and many people have considered that the usual absences of Kaka, due to injury, have been minimized thanks to a strong performance of German international. Do not forget that Özil arrived in Madrid after his stunning World Cup in South Africa.

The curious thing about this German "flow" is that Madrid went on to win at least one title in each season in which was reinforced by a German player. Netzer, a blonde who came in his last time as a player, opened the way for the Germans in the summer of 1973. Then came Breitner, the evergreen Stielike, Schuster (as talented as controversial), Illgner, the goalkeeper of the Seventh European Cup and Metzelder. With Özil and Khedira has remained the good luck and team has won the "Copa del Rey". With Sahin and Altintop, the list of Germans will be ten.

Özil and Khedira

Özil
Only 22 years old and in Sevilla played his 50th match with the Madrid, where is already the king of assists (22) ahead of Di Maria (19) and Cristiano (10). His left foot and great vision of play dazzle the fans. Just needs more physical, but he is a potential "crack".

Khedira
Just turned 24 years, this German with Tunisian father has earned the confidence of Mourinho, but not the Bernabeu fans. He came endorsed by the great World Cup and the Portuguese coach made ​​him a starter in the Spanish Cup final and the big games of the season ahead of Lass.

Metzelder
He came to Madrid as one of the most promising central defenders of Germany and could even play on the left side despite his height (1.94 m). But nothing to do with reality. He was hooking injury after another until play only 30 games in three seasons with the white team. Cristophe went Schalke as came, free.

Illgner
Capello got his way. Buyo, too short for his taste and Canizares, with little experience, were not worth. He arrived at the age of 29, with a reputation for sober and with a very attractive wife who was also his manager. In Madrid won a League title, two European Cups and one Intercontinental. And while, appeared a young man called to make history: Iker Casillas.

Schuster
He could read the game in the field and then execute a plan with great precision. Mendoza took advantage of a crisis of German player at Barcelona after eight years there, to sign him and stir the controversy between the teams. Two seasons later went on to Atletico.

Stielike
Sacrifice and power in midfield. Madrid was coming off one of its worst seasons (76-77): ninth in the League, eliminated in the second round of the Champions League and in third round of the Spanish Cup. Bernabéu decided to turn with Wolf, Juanito and Stielike and the team resurfaced. He raised four League titles, two Spanish Cups and one UEFA Cup. He was signed to replace Breitner.

Breitner
He was the Santiago Bernabeu's response to the emergence of Cruyff at Barcelona. Bernabeu asked his staff what German player they liked more in World Cup 74 and signed Breitner. Madrid won the League and the Spanish Cup in his fierst season. Breitner was an "industrial" midfielder.

Netzer
Bernabéu fell in love with his cerebral play at Euro 1972. He "jumped" to Madrid from Moenchengladbach, which also exported Simonsen Jensen and Stielike to Spain. With 28 years became the first German to play in the Spanish league. He won the Spanish Cup in his first year in white.

Real Madrid: Ten precedents to dream about the comeback

Real Madrid has in its history ten previous matches in which has won by two goals or more against Barcelona in its own stadium. In the Camp Nou (seven times between 1958 and 2002) and Les Corts (three times between 1930 and 1942). There are ten games with which the Real Madrid can dream about the comeback of Mourinho's team. Of these ten wins, four were by 0-2, a result that would allow Real Madrid to go into overtime. With the score of the other six wins, white team would qualify for the Champions League final at Wembley.

UEFA Champions League 2002. Zidane's goal against FC Barcelona

April 23, 2002 it is the closest precedent, also in the Champions League semifinals. In this case, first leg was played at Camp Nou, where Madrid won 0-2 with goals by Zidane and McManaman. The previous precedent was 31 years ago. Team was coached by Boskov and won with goals from García Hernández and Santillana. A great defense with the work of Garcia Remon, San Jose, Pirri, Camacho, Benito, and Del Bosque allowed whites stay unbeaten.

The biggest away win was on January 27, 1963 (1-5) in a Spanish League match, with goals from Di Stefano, Gento and Puskas (hat-trick). Although three years before Real Madrid managed to get five goals in Barcelona (3-5), with goals from Del Sol, DiStefano (2) and Gento (2).

Real Madrid have managed to score 31 goals in Barcelona in ten games to get an advantage equal to or greater than two goals. The top scorer in this series of triumphs of the white team in Barcelona is Puskas, with six goals, followed by Gento (5), DiStefano (3), Del Sol, Alday and Rubio (2), and Garcia Hernandez, Rial, Marsal, Lazcanoand Lopez (1). Especially in the 60's, the Real Madrid showed its superiority in the Camp Nou winning three consecutive years between 1960 and 1963 (3-5, 0-2 and 1-5).

European Cup 1960: Real Madrid vs Barcelona

On Wednesday April 21 marked 51st anniversary of the first playoff in the European Cup between Real Madrid and Barcelona. It was also in the semifinals, also the first game at the Bernabeu Stadium and the second at the Camp Nou. It was long ago. But at that time a Rea Madrid vs Barcelona was more than just a football match.

On April 21, 1960, Madrid hosted the first leg semifinal between the four-time European champion, Real Madrid, and the Spanish champion, Barcelona, with Helenio Herrera, Ramallets, Kocsis and Evaristo. The white club lived the first great age (and best) of its history, but opposite was a Barcelona that snatched the league this season and the previous one, getting the right to play the top European competition.

European Cup 1960. Di Stefano celebrates a goal against Barcelona

Times were different. In fact, Spain was the only country with two representatives in the tournament and Barcelona made ​​its debut this season in the European Cup, which had set up four years earlier. The Catalan club won the League on the last day (both finished tied on 46 points, but Barceona had better numbers of goals). Europe was the scene of Real Madrid's revenge).

Because in Europe there was not so much equality as in the League. Real Madrid won 6-2 on aggregate, with respective 3-1 victories in both the first leg and on the return. In the first match played in Madrid, a second goal by Di Stefano gave his team a comfortable income in the final minutes. In turn, played on April 27 in Barcelona, there was no option for Barcelona. Gento and Puskas (two goals) led Real to its fifth final, the legendary Hampden Parkmatch against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Puskas, genius Magyars, scored against the Germans four goals more to reach the figure of 49, adding all competitions. A record that Leo Messi overtook on Saturday, scoring the second goal in Barcelona's win over Osasuna. But Messi has taken three games more than the great "Pancho" Puskas.

Four Real Madrid vs Barcelona... in 1916

In the coming days await four "Classic", but it is not the first time something like that happens. Moreover, the origin of the rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona lies precisely in four legendary matches that both clubs played in the Spanish Cup in 1916. Three of them were held in April, as is the case on this occasion. Until then, there was no a very large antagonism between them. They do not even occupy the highest place in the rankings, a place that, until the Civil War, was owned by Athletic de Bilbao.

Real Madrid 1916

Spanish Cup semi-final in 1916 faced Barcelona and Real Madrid, the leading candidates to unseat the champion, Athletic de Bilbao. In Barcelona, ​​the Catalans won the match by 2-1, but in the second leg, white team beat 4-1.According to the regulations of the time, there was not goal difference, so a third match had to be played. And so began a rivalry that if it dies, it's because football is also dead.

At that time, the teams were amateurs and had to cut costs, so that the third meeting was held two days after the previous, also in Madrid. The tiredness of the players favored for fans to enjoy an epic match and insurmountable emotion: Match needed an extension that did not solve anything, because the final scorewas a draw 6-6, a scoreboard, contrary to popular belief , so unusual at the time such as now. The regulation time ended 4-4, after several ups and downs in the score. In overtime, Real Madrid scored first, but Barcelona managed to get ahead with two goals. However, three minutes from time, Santiago Bernabeu scored a penalty. It was the third penalty the whites throwing in the match, one of whom had been failed by the future president.

The fourth and final match was held the next day, a football marathon unparalleled today. Bernabéu missed a penalty just before the final and could not prevent the draw 2-2 before the ninety minutes. In the extension, the Real Madrid scored twice, but the Catalans felt that the second goal had been achieved in an offside position and they left the field with seven minutes to play, so the locals were classified for final they would lose against the great Athletic Bilbao (4-0).

Thus began a long series of mutual recriminations by favoritism arbitration, which has resonant episodes in the Spanish Cup, and later in the League and European Cup. Those pioneers did not know, but had begun the fiercest rivalry in the history of Spanish football.

History: Real Madrid Uniform

The article number 18 of the original statutes of the Real Madrid Football Club stated that "the regulation uniform will be, for regular matches; Dark trouser, short and straight, white jersey and dark socks. And for special matches will be trouser and jersey white, black socks with loops and belt in the national colors". Finally, the second option was elected for all matches. Until then, players wore underwear, consisting of trousers and shirts white. The teams were differentiated through cross-bands on the chest with colors red and blue, the same used by "Basque pelota" players, which however came off easily. The Real Madrid, as the oldest club in Madrid, chose to dress entirely in white, something that 109 years later remains.

Real Madrid: First Uniform (1902)

Throughout history, the Madrid team has always had the white jersey in his first kit (the second began to be always the same since 1952). However, there was a time in which the color of the jersey and trousers did not match. It was in 1925-26 season, and the initiative of the players Ecobal and Quesada. Both were traveling in England and were set in London Corinthians dress, one of the most famous teams of the moment. English team was known by elegance and sportsmanship in the game. In an attempt to look like the English, was decided that the team dressed in black trousers, but the change would last only one season. After falling in the semifinals of the Spanish Cup against Barcelona when they lost by 1-5 ​​in Madrid and 2-0 in Barcelona, President Parages decided to return to pure white after accusing the kits to give bad luck. Years later another England team, Leeds United, changed its blue shirt to the white after the final in which Real Madrid won Eintracht Frankfurt by 7-3 at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

Real Madrid: Black trousers (1925)

Until 1952 not began to be used, on a regular way, the same second kit. Real Madrid, until then, used to wear jerseys in different shades of blue and white or dark blue trousers. From the moment the second jersey became common, Madrid team has used many different models. Primarily, the suits have been blue or purple, but other colors such as black (team played and won the final of the European Cup in 2000) and even red. 

Real Madrid wore an all red uniform in three European competition matches during the 70's. The first was on March 10, 1971 in the quarter-finals of the 1970-1971 European Cup Winners Cup against Cardiff City Football Club. The macth ended with defeat 1-0. The second time was on April 14 in that year in the semifinals of the same competition against PSV Eindhoven. The result was a tie 0-0. The third and last time that Real Madrid dressed in red, but this time with white socks, was on March 7, 1973 in the quarter-finals of the 1972-1973 European Cup against Dynamo Kiev in Odessa, finishing the game with a tied result 0-0, thanks to the great performance of goalkeeper Mariano Garcia Remon.

Real Madrid: Red Kit (1973)

The real revolution in football jerseys, arrived in the 80's. At that time, players begin to use models in short sleeves for summer, in addition to joining the brands and sponsors, which would become an important source of income for clubs. In addition, cotton jerseys give way to synthetic fabrics searching greater comfort for the player. Evolution has not stopped and now the jerseys are made of new materials that are breathable and favor the player comfort.

Real Madrid: Adidas (1981)

In 1997 teams began to have also a third kit marked by innovative models. Thus, in 2001 the team used a curious gray shirt, while in 1997 showed a shirt divided in four and in which the white was combined with the purple. Moreover, in recent years have added little memorials details in every season. The shield of the best team of twenty-first century, the logo of the 50th anniversary of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the nine European Cups... Small details for a jersey with a great story.

Tottenham vs Real Madrid (1985): Amancio's scar

Like now, with the League almost lost, Real Madrid went to White Hart Lane on March 6, 1985, to contest the quarter-finals of the former UEFA Cup. The scoreboard: 0-1. Tottenham ahead of him, defending champion of the tournament. The same opponent with which will face today.

Real Madrid made the historic comeback against Anderlecht few days ago, but on "Buitre's gang" weighed the label "soft generation" that never came off. Amancio was the coach of Madrid and at White Hart Lane starred in a story that still remembers Ochotorena, goalkeeper of the team that began to emerg: "Before taking the field, Amancio showed us the scars of the severe innjury he suffered as player. He had done in a game we played with Castilla (Real Madrid B) in "Los Cármenes" Stadium (Granada), the same stadium where he was injured".

"Amancio could boast of a great curriculum as a player... and scars", recalls Angel, Madrid midfielder in those mid-eighties. Amancio, who claims not to remember the story, tried by his gesture that his younger players do not wrinkle in a complicated stadium that would test the competitiveness of the new generation trying to break through. His words after the game pointed to the epic: "When you talk on the field, when you struggle and fight, you have to win". The team played well. They spoke and help each other. In the previous, Amancio had been very critical of his players: "I want they think in football half than me". The phrase was a flurry to some of his players that attend the university, especially those of the "Quinta del Buitre".

Tottenham vs Real Madrid (1985)

When that confrontation was played, English football was in full continental hegemony, winning all and it was anticipated like a sharp match. Nobody wanted to cross with those teams that had a feverish pace, that mixed direct and contact soccer with the ability of the three or four more technical players. "Hoddle was its star. He was left handed and very technical. At that time were not frowned upon the individual markings and Amancio ordered me to pursue him. They made ​​a very direct football and vigorous. There was no cover to the forwards. There was to players who caused the goals assistances, like Hoddle who had a great left foot", says Angel.

In the days before the first leg, Valdano, who played without shin guards, had told his friend Ardiles, Tottenham player, that this time he would play with protections. "Finally, Ardiles did not play either game, but somehow he was one of the first players that began to change over to English football". Ardiles was very light and his presence in a very physical football raised doubts at first. "Although not involved, flew to Madrid for the second leg and said that he was able to win a ball in the air against Santillana. He touched his head and explained that football lives there".

In 1985, the Spurs had won some fame as innovator. It was the first European football institution listed in stock exchange and tried to distance themselves from the traditional kick and rush with the recruitment Ardiles and Villa. Real Madrid was also surprised by a detail when team left the stadium. "Suddenly we saw a beautiful white Rolls Royce. We were told that it was Rod Stewart's car. He had a private box because he was a big fan of Tottenham.in Spain the boxes appeared late" concludes Angel .