Real Madrid: A History

As Real Madrid host Athletic de Bilbao this Sunday at 8 pm at the Santiago Bernabeu we look at a brief history of how the best club in Spain and the World came to be.

Football in Spain was first introduced to Spain at the turn of the 20th century by the  Institución Libre de Enseñanza. They were mainly English graduates. FC Barcelona being founded in 1901 by two Englishmen – shows how much England influenced Spanish football. They founded the first Spanish club called football goal playing every Sunday morning. In 1900 this club split into two clubs, creating Ball de Madrid and Club Espanol de Madrid.

A subsequent split occured in 1902 and the club Sociedad de Madrid were formed. The first form of what would become known as Real Madrid was in 1905, when Madrid FC won their first major prize at their stadium Estadio Chamartin. They won four consecutive Copa del Rey titles, the only statewide competition in these years.
In 1920, King Alfonso 13th changed Madrid FC’s name to Real Madrid, he was a reported football fan and granted the word Real (Royal) to the club. It was the first time they were known as Real (Royal) Madrid.
But, sadly for Madrid, after the introduction of the Second Spanish Republic, Real Madrid C.F. dropped the Real and the crown from their emblem until the end of the Spanish Civil War.

 

Because of the Civil War and the fact that any footballing activity ceased during this time, Madrid C.F. almost stopped.

Costa to crumble Arsenal

Diego Costa at the start of the season, has hit a rich vain of form for Chelsea. He is looking on-form to continue that on against London rivals Arsenal this weekend.


Eight goals in his first six games, just shows exactly why, no-one would feel safe playing the part of the opposition against Chelsea, especially when they play away to them at Stamford Bridge. Diego Costa is playing exceptionally well at the moment in all competitions and he is on course to head into the International break as one of the most formidable performers in the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho has come out recently and said that he needed to play only one game per week and lots of rest. From his form so far, that compliment or criticism is lost on his as he looks unplayable. I would play him in this game, one of the Spain matches during the International break, rest him for the other and send him back to Chelsea fresh and ready to go once more.

Of the next five games after the International break, Chelsea and Costa have to go away to both Manchester United and Liverpool. It won’t just be a test of Liverpool and United’s capabilities to challenge aggressively for a top four position, but also it will be a challenge for Chelsea to actually see if they are worthy title favourites.

This game though, should be a free and open game to watch and for Diego Costa to play in. Very open and expansive football expected. I expect goals from both sides with Costa to score at least two for Chelsea and a Chelsea win to keep them on top of the League in the chase for Premier League glory.