90+3′

While they could be written about many things, Real Madrid’s victories are often about numbers.

The figures above are from the Champions League final against Atlético Madrid in 2014, when Sergio Ramos equalized in extra time. Some fans have “90+3” or “92:48” tattoos.

10 was another number that night: La Decima. The team’s tenth title in the tournament.

The coach at that time was Carlo Ancelotti. On Wednesday night, he saw the same team make a new comeback by scoring twice in stoppage time in the semi-final against Manchester City.

It wasn’t by chance. Real Madrid have created a self-fulfilling prophecy in this tournament. They have built a myth that has been repeated so often that everyone now believes it.

It wasn’t just the players who beat City. That is history itself.

Myth possession

What is meant by the myths put forward before the settlement. It is rare to have the psychological framework around the match play a major role in the team’s journey to the final.

These stories are based on many events that happened before today’s players were born.

Take for example, the Champions League is the «Real Madrid tournament». It was the club’s president, Santiago Bernabéu, who helped found it in 1955. They went on to win five titles in a row. Already here they played in the stadium today, named after the president.

Now Real Madrid have won it 13 times, six more than any other team, and they made sure to tell the world. The museum has 13 shiny trophies. The training facility has 13 giant trophies, each with the year and city in which the final was won.

This has created a feeling in Madrid – among the fans, the players, the press – that the Champions League Owned by they. They have the trophy.

The more dramatic the story they write, the more likely it is to be repeated.

La Remontada

Just listen to the actors involved. Real Madrid won the tournament in 1998, 2000 and 2002. Neither of those seasons was Spain’s best.

So what’s the logic?

– When Real Madrid played in the Champions League, theirs tournament, anything is possible, said the coach behind the two titles, Vicente Del Bosque.

In 2014, Real Madrid won the final against Atlético. Then Zinédine Zidane presented three titles in a row from 2016 to 2018. Along the way, the team often played unanimously, but still won, especially after the heroic match at the Santiago Bernabéu.

All the time, players and fans think that these are just things Real Madrid do.

– The Champions League is a Real Madrid tournament, said Cristiano Ronaldo.

There are other myths that come into play. In 1984/85, Real Madrid directed a series of pick-ups in the UEFA Cup. In the semifinals, they lost 2-0 away to Inter, and before the return match, winger Juanito told the Italian press:

– 90 minutes at the Santiago Bernabéu is a very long time.

The quote plays on a team’s ability to strike back when they appear dead. Real Madrid won 3-0 and then lifted the trophy. They are now famous for their own Repair – that is, comeback.

73′ Mahrez, 0-1 (3-5 overall)

These qualities are associated with the Santiago Bernabéu as a place. In every knockout round of the tournament this season, Real Madrid have made their catch there.

When City scored on Wednesday night and led 5-3 in total, Real Madrid had 17 minutes remaining. They have done it before.

In the quarter-finals, they were 2-0 down overall against Paris Saint-Germain with half an hour remaining, but within 17 minutes Karim Benzema scored three goals.

Against Chelsea, they are at bottom 4-3 in total with 11 minutes remaining. They won 5–4.

– At the Santiago Bernabéu you can never believe that something is missing. “I can’t explain it, but there was magic here that helped us,” Ancelotti said afterwards.

Then Real Madrid lost 4-3 away against City.

– We will do something magical at the Santiago Bernabéu, said Benzema.

And why not? Magic had become more of the rule than the exception. Real Madrid thought the story would repeat itself.

City might do the same.

90′ Rodrygo, 1-1 (4-5 overall)

City coach Pep Guardiola has great respect for such things. In 2017, he said City were “10 years” behind their continental rivals.

Why? City have been one of the best teams in the world for five years.

“We have no history,” said Guardiola.

Even playmaker Kevin De Bruyne said before Wednesday’s game that a win would change the “narrative”. Just as people expect Real Madrid to win, a negative myth has been built around City.

“Guardiola would never have won the Champions League without Lionel Messi.”

“Guardiola shot himself in the foot tactically.”

“City collapses when it comes to.”

By admitting he will change this, De Bruyne insists the players are thinking about such things. So when Rodrygo equalized before the end, one can well imagine what went through their heads.

new remind ongoing. Real Madrid know that. The fans show it.

– Si, se puede! shouted 60,000 people at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Yes we can!

90+1′ Rodrygo, 2-1 (5–5) overall

So, it is these stories that lift the team forward. Previously, many had talked about how the Real Madrid experience was key.

Yesterday, they scored all the goals after the legendary midfield trio – Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric – were substituted.

Inspirational captain Sergio Ramos for sale. Ronaldo is long gone.

The comeback against City was directed by youngsters who had never won the Champions League before. But each of them knows the history and identity of Real Madrid.

– With this costume we learn to fight until the end, says Rodrygo, 21.

95′ Benzema, 3–1 (6–5)

Victory seemed almost inevitable as soon as extra innings got under way. City have not had a shot on goal in the last 15 minutes.

As the Real Madrid players celebrated with the fans, both coaches gave their explanations to the press.

– It is the history of this club to fight even when we seemed to be finished, said Ancelotti.

“They have done it many times throughout history, so it could happen to us too,” said Guardiola.

On Twitter, the official Real Madrid account summarized another feat.

90′
90+1′
95′
Nothing more needs to be added.