Real Madrid have opened La Liga flawlessly under Xabi Alonso, but history warns of heartbreak. Will Mbappé’s brilliance be enough to break the dreaded precedent and lead Los Blancos to glory?
A Precedent That Worries Real Madrid Fans
Real Madrid have made a perfect start to La Liga, but a historical precedent is causing concern among fans, as similar beginnings in the past have often ended with the team finishing as runners-up.
Under new head coach Xabi Alonso, Los Blancos could not have asked for a better start. Despite a short and controversial preseason, Real Madrid won their first two matches against Osasuna (1-0) and Real Oviedo (3-0) without conceding a single goal.
It is the first time in more than two decades that the Spanish giants have managed such a start. Optimism fills the air, but deep down in the minds of their most loyal supporters, an ominous precedent from the past resurfaces.
In the 1957/58 season, they even kept three consecutive clean sheets and went on to claim the league title. Notably, in the 1987/88 campaign, Real Madrid started with dominant victories, topped the table from Matchday 1, and never looked back—winning the league by an emphatic margin of 11 points.
Fast forward to the present, Xabi Alonso’s men are flying high thanks to Kylian Mbappé, who has scored 12 of the club’s last 15 La Liga goals. The dependence on the French superstar is immense. Despite their flawless start, history serves as a warning.
Three failures compared to only two successes when starting in such fashion highlight how treacherous this path can be. The challenge for Xabi Alonso and his squad is not just to maintain their form but to break the so-called “curse” of the past and turn this promising start into a complete triumph.
The Greatest Nightmare: The 2004/05 Season
The most haunting precedent comes from the 2004/05 campaign. Under coach José Antonio Camacho, Real Madrid also began by winning their first two matches without conceding a goal.
However, the dream start quickly evaporated. The team’s form plummeted, at one point dropping to ninth place in the table, and they were left far behind by eternal rivals Barcelona. Despite a late surge toward the end of the season, they still finished second, four points adrift. History suggests this was no mere coincidence.
Two more occasions also saw impressive starts end in bitter disappointment. In the 1935/36 season, Real Madrid won their opening two matches without conceding, only to be overtaken by Athletic Bilbao, who claimed the title with a narrow two-point lead.
Even more painful was the 1991/92 season. After a strong start, Real Madrid led the table all the way until the final round. They needed only a victory against Tenerife to secure the title. Yet, in a historic tragedy, they collapsed 2-3, handing the trophy to Barcelona in shocking fashion.
But History Is Not Always Dark
Of course, history is not painted only in shades of gray. There have been seasons where Real Madrid transformed a solid start into the foundation for ultimate glory. The challenge now is whether Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid can defy the odds and ensure this season falls into the latter category.