Real Madrid didn’t win a single trophy in 2020/21, but actually finished the campaign with some reasons for optimism.
They fell at the first hurdle in the Super Cup and Copa del Rey, but pushed Atletico all the way to the final matchday in LaLiga and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, falling to Chelsea.
The fact that they competed to the end, going unbeaten over their final 18 matches of the LaLiga season, is the reason for optimism. Also, an explanation for this poor season is the fact they suffered over 60 injuries, yet they still kept competing, with the backups stepping up.
It really was a squad effort this season, with the likes of Nacho, Eder Militao and Lucas Vazquez having important roles. Thibaut Courtois and Karim Benzema stood above the rest individually, but otherwise it was a squad effort.
Zinedine Zidane also evolved this season tactically, using different formations and not just a 4-3-3 every game.
The injuries were a problem for Real Madrid. They also lost the league in some of the ‘easier’ fixtures earlier in the season, losing matches to the likes of Alaves or Cadiz that they shouldn’t have. In the big games, like the Madrid derby or the Clasico, they performed.
Zidane’s future is uncertain, but Real Madrid can expect a more successful 2021/22 if they grind out results like they did towards the end of the season and if they suffer fewer injuries.
