Posted by A.J. Nelson

A few weeks ago, Real Madrid was holding a 10 point lead in La Liga.  They had just advanced to the quarter finals of the Champions League and received a favorable draw in the Cypriot team, Apoel.  They had a relatively healthy team (at least for this point in the season) and had been able to rest a few key players.  Sure, they had a few upcoming games against teams in the top half of the table, but the players were feeling good.  Perhaps too good and unaware of the dangers they were facing:  complacent.

A draw at home against an improving Malaga team was worrisome, but with an 8 point lead, there was nothing to worry about.  Although away, their next game would be against a Villarreal side struggling to avoid relegation.  Nothing to worry about.  But the “yellow submarine” had other ideas.  A 1-1 draw against them and Real Madrid’s complacency feeling was hopefully dwindling.

A comfortable win at home against Real Sociedad and a 3-0 away win in the Champions League (courtesy of super-subs Ricardo Kaká and Marcelo) allowed the players to relax again and have fun.  And fun they had…  Madrid’s fluid motion was definitely in play when they traveled to Osasuna and the “golazos” (because goal is not a strong enough word) would stun everyone.  Not only did all 3 of Madrid’s strikers get on the scoreboard, but Karim Benzema’s goal in the 7th minute was gasp-worthy.  Even José Mourinho called it “out of this world”. 

The second leg of the Champions League against Apoel allowed the fun to continue, and allowed a few key starters, including Xabi Alonso, to get some much needed rest.  In that game, it would not take long for Madrid to score and Cristiano Ronaldo’s 49th overall goal on the season would be a stunner off of a free kick.  Champions League semi-finals and Bayern Munich await.

For Madrid, after those games, it was time for them to return their focus to La Liga.  Real Madrid should not have felt complacent against third place Valencia.  Yes, they are 30 points behind them in La Liga, but Valencia has shown strength at times.  They even drew against Barcelona earlier in the year.  There was a disconnect for Madrid at the start of the game – players were out of position, missed passes and made poor shots on goal.  That word complacency was starting to ring in the fans’ heads.  Although, however complacent Real Madrid felt at the start of the game, it was an all out war by the end.  As Valencia turned up the heat, so did Madrid.  Exceptional defending, goal-keeping and a pesky cross bar (which both teams cursed) ended in one of the most exciting scoreless draws I have seen this season.  It also brought Real Madrid's lead down to 4 points in La Liga.

If Real Madrid was feeling a sense of complacency a few weeks ago, it is unlikely they do now.  They have the Madrid derby on Wednesday, a tough semi-final battle against Bayern Munich and El Clásico in less than two weeks.  They are aware of the danger – a few losses in La Liga and losses against Bayern Munich and their dream season could be gone.  The danger is now imminent and the time has come to show that they are made of stronger stuff.