Madrid's treble chance

By Andy Hall

Real Madrid CF are on course for a remarkable treble of Primera División, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League - a feat never achieved by a Spanish club.

Treble chance
Still top of the league in Spain, after overcoming FC Bayern München at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in the Champions League last night, Madrid could yet make history. Midfield player David Beckham might have seen it all before, having won a treble with Manchester United FC in 1999, but it would be a new thing for his team-mates. "I can see us winning all three titles," said Zinedine Zidane. "Madrid have never done it, that's why we have to have a go."

Cup dream
Madrid could put the down payment on their triple crown on 17 March when they face Real Zaragoza in the Spanish Cup final. Team captain Raúl González is on a personal mission, never having lifted that trophy. However, Bernabéu fans will remember how the promise of a treble foundered in 2002 when Madrid lost the cup final 2-1 against RC Deportivo La Coruña in their centenary season.

Hard road
Nonetheless, the Spanish Cup looks the least of Madrid's worries. Luís Figo admitted that lifting all three pieces of silverware would be "a complicated task". "Right now, it is possible we could collect all three trophies and, obviously, we would love that to happen," he said. "Realistically, it is going to be very difficult, but we are hoping that this year we will do it."

Minimum requirement
A busy fixture list will not have worked in Madrid's favour. Since the season started in August, most of Madrid's players have appeared in international games, the Torneo Bernabéu against CA River Plate on 23 September, and Ronaldo and Zidane's charity match in Basel on 15 December, in addition to a hectic domestic and European schedule. In total, the team has played 45 matches. To achieve the treble, they must play a minimum of 73.

Squad rotation
Coach Carlos Queiroz has resisted the temptation to rotate his squad this term - even in the Spanish Cup. Youngsters Antonio Núñez, Borja Fernández and Álvaro Mejía have all had the odd game, but none has figured enough to give the big-name players a chance to recharge the batteries. This may yet prove costly later in the campaign.

EURO caution
Another factor could be UEFA EURO 2004™. As the club season nears its conclusion, players' keenness to stay fit for Portugal could lead to usually fearless internationals pulling out of tackles - a weakness that would be ruthlessly exploited by Madrid's rivals.

Fellow sufferers
However, in the Champions League, there are other sides in the same situation. Arsenal FC, AS Monaco FC and Portuguese sensations FC Porto are also in the hunt for that elusive treble. There is a high price to pay for all the players involved, but the prize - in footballing terms - is worth it.