Italy are once again in the news for a huge blunder that has left the football world deeply moved. After losing against Bosnia in the penalty shootout draw, Calcio continued to decline. It’s never good news for a historic team to miss out on the World Cup. But for the more superstitious Real Madrid fans, this could be a reason to have hope for this season.
For those who believe there is no such thing as coincidence, Italy’s defeat is a joy. And even more so for Real Madrid fans. Azura will miss out on a third consecutive World Cup, but the news for Spanish football is not so much what will happen in the Champions League if the four-time world champions do not play in the World Cup.
A prediction that will bring Real Madrid a 16th Champions League
In 1958, the Champions League was still called the European Cup, but its fate was already sealed. Italy missed out on Uruguay in 1930, and lost to Northern Ireland in European Group 8, missing out on their second World Cup appearance. That season, Real Madrid won the European Cup for the third time in a row. Los Blancos won the championship with a 3-2 win over AC Milan, with Di Stéfano shining.
In 2017, Italy faced Sweden for a spot in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Gian Piero Ventura’s team were favorites to win, but the world of football did not smile on them and they were eliminated from the World Cup, 60 years after the last one. That season, Real Madrid faced the huge task of doing something that no one else had managed to do in the Champions League era: winning a consecutive treble. Under Zinedine Zidane, Los Blancos reached the final and won the title in a historic match against Liverpool
The same situation occurred in 2022. The Italian team was playing for a spot in Qatar. In the playoffs, there will be a match against North Macedonia. Coach Mancini’s team was once again the favorite to win. But there was another surprise, and a very painful one. In the 91st minute, Trajkowski broke the hearts of an entire nation. His goal gave the Azzurri no hope after missing the World Cup for the second year in a row. At the same time, Ancelotti marked an incredible comeback season at the Bernabéu, taking his team to the Champions League final. Vinicius’ only goal helped Madrid win their 14th European Cup.
The year is 2026, and history repeats itself. Coach Gennaro Gattuso’s team is looking to qualify for the playoffs in the United States, Mexico and Canada. This time they will face Bosnia, who from the looks of it are a better opponent than Wales. However, fate would lead to the same result as the previous qualifying round. Due to the penalty shootout draw, the Italians did not get a ticket to the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, Real Madrid are aiming for their 16th appearance by reaching the Champions League quarter-finals?
Path of death, great threat
Depending on how superstitious you are, it may or may not all be just a coincidence, but Real Madrid have a difficult task ahead of them. They have one of the most powerful clubs in Europe in recent years. After leaving City midway, Arbeloa’s team will have to face Bayern Munich, who are always strong opponents. Kompany’s side are in great form despite being without star player Harry Kane.
Ahead for the Germans, PSG or Liverpool will face the Spanish giants in a hypothetical semi-final. It doesn’t matter if you’re the current European champion or the current English champion. But this is the Champions League, and it’s impossible to predict which competition Madrid will be best at.
