Rayo Vallecano - Estadio Teresa Rivero - Capacity: 15,500 All Seater
The Stadium– Estadio Teresa Rivero Nuevo Vallecas, Payaso Fofó, Madrid 28018
The home of the “Red Stripes” was traditionally called the Nuevo Vallecas, but in recognition to the work that Teresa Rivero has done for the club, the stadium was renamed after her in 2003. It is a strange ground – with only three sides usable – the fourth having been sold off for a housing development in the early 1980’s.
There are two large stands on either side of the pitch, which offer a very English lower and upper tier – the lower part being similar in design to a paddock or enclosure and the upper tier set back. Both stands are covered but are open to the elements from the side. At the north end of the stadium there is a once open terrace that has now had seats bolted onto the terrace steps to make the ground all seater. If you are bored with the game on offer you can look north and get excellent panoramic views of the city. The club moved to the Nuevo Vallecas in May 1976 after moving out of their old cramped Vallecas ground in 1972. In between these dates the club was forced to play in Vallehermoso close by whilst funding and construction of the new ground took place. Since then the only real changes that the stadium have seen has been the seating of the Fondo Nor, although this has not stopped the Rayo faithful from supporting their team with passion and vigour.
Who Plays There? For a period in the early part of the decade, Rayo were Madrid’s second team in terms of league position and status, although this was due to the fading fortunes of Athleticó rather than the success of Vallecano. Unfortunately, the fortunes of the two teams have now been reversed, and Rayo now find themselves playing in the Regional leagues. A few years ago it was all so different.
For the whole month of October 1999, the team sat proudly top of La Liga whilst their cousins from across the city flirted at the wrong end of the table. Under the inspirational coaching of Guande Ramos, and with US international goalkeeper putting in some marvellous performances between the sticks the team started the season like a steam train and became almost unbeatable at home in the first half of the season. Their form slipped away after Christmas, although their final ninth place finish was a record for the club and saw them rewarded with a place in the UEFA Cup.
The club then managed to make history in the Qualifying rounds of the competition with a club record16-0 aggregate win over the hapless Constellació. Excellent wins in the next rounds to Molde, Viborg and Lokomotiv Moscow set up an unlikely all Spanish Quarter Final clash with Alaves. In an excellent advert for Spanish football, the team from Vitoria won 4-2 on aggregate and went on to lose to Liverpool in the final 5-4.
The club were originally formed in 1924, playing their first few years in an unusual black and white kit. The team entered the regional leagues in 1931 and played in and around the capital before and during the Civil War. In1949 the club signed a cordial agreement with Athleticó, which saw the club adopt the famous red and white colours of their neighbours. The team was at last promoted to the national leagues in 1956, with a new stadium, the Vallecas, opened a year later in December 1957. In 1977 the club at last reached the La Liga and looked forward to local derbies against Real and Athleticó. The club did well in its first season, but found the going tough in the next few years, returning to the 2nd division in 1983.
The club bounced back up again in 1989. In 1992 the club announced two major signings. Firstly Jose Antonio Camacho, later to lead Spain and Real Madrid at the highest level, joined the club as coach, and more importantly the club captured the signing of Real Madrid legend Hugo Sánchez. The Mexican averaged a goal every other game and helped the club retain some stability. Unfortunately after his retirement the club fell back into the 2nd division, and the club fell into a common pattern of a club in transition during the next few years. In 1999 the club returned to the top division where they managed to stay for 4 seasons until relegation in 2003 despite selling a record 11,000 season tickets to its fans.
Unfortunately season 2003/04 turned into a disaster for the club, and relegation beckoned again to Division 2b. Last season, despite some excellent results at home the club could not do enough to earn one of the automatic promotion places, and had to try their luck through the end of season playoffs. Unfortunately a narrow aggregate defeat to Real Union of Irún meant another season in Division 2b in 2005/06 alongside their old foes from La Liga Las Palmas. The one glimmer for the team was the offer by ex Real Madrid star Míchel as coach. However he could only lead the team to 5th place and so another season in the second level of Spanish football beckons.
How to get to the Estadio Teresa Rivero The stadium is one of the easier ones you will come across in Europe. Simply jump on Metro Line 1 (Light Blue) southwards in the direction of Congosto. Exit the metro at the stop for Portazgo, 5 stops from Atocha RENFE and 9 from Sol. Allow 20 minutes from the city centre to make the journey. The stadium is practically located on top of the metro and so you cannot fail to see the stadium as you exit the metro at street level. Buses 10, 54, 57 and 58 run from the city centre to the stadium on a regular basis.
For a more details view on who plays where in Madrid go to Footiemap.com to access their excellent map of football in the city.
How to get a ticket for the Estadio Teresa Rivero There should be no issues these days getting a ticket on the day for a match at the Teresa Rivero. Gone are the days when queues built up hours before kick off to secure a seat in the stadium. The club also has a well-stocked club shop on the corner of the main stand, which is open during the week, as well as on match days, where you can buy one of Rayo’s very distinctive “Red Stripe” shirts for around €40. Ticket prices range from €30 for the top seats in the Palco Preferencia, to €10 in the Fondo Norte and can be purchased from the ticket windows on Avenida Albufera.
Around the Estadio Teresa Rivero The area around the stadium is a traditional working class area, known for its alternative views and anti-royal views. Walking around the stadium you will see pictures of revolutionaries such as Che Guevara, Trotsky and Mao but don’t feel alarmed – the area is perfectly safe on a match day, and many of the bars that have these posters in the windows are very welcoming to travelling fans. In fact, the best match day experience can be had by popping into one of the bars along Calle Teniente Muñoz Diaz, which runs alongside the stadium.
To be a real part of the crows, buy your bocadillos and sunflower seeds from the stalls by the ticket offices before you enter the ground, and snack away at halftime. During the cold winter months you will also see an odd hip flask or two being passed around – if offered a brief taste and a “gracias amigos” will not offend and may even gain you a friend for the rest of the match.
Getafe - The Coliseum Alfonso Pérez - Capacity: 14,400 All Seater
The Stadium – The Coliseum Alfonso Pérez Aveneda Teresa de Calcuta, Getafe, Madrid 28903
After starting life playing at the Santa Ana’s Estadio Polideportivo, the club moved to the current stadium in the early 1980’s. Surprisingly, based on Madrid’s cold winters the stadium offers no real cover for spectators. The stadium looks very uniform with smart light blue seats on all sides. All four stands are curved in their design, giving the impression of a small Stade Veldrome in Marseille. The main stand has a small roof that covers the important people in the upper tier, but that is it in terms of protection.
Who Plays There? The rise of Getafe to the higher reaches of La Liga is nothing short of remarkable. The team was only formed in 1976, under the name of Rock Madridsta Getafe and entered the regional leagues of the Madrid province, although the roots of the team can be traced back to 1945 when a team was formed to play at the Poliodeportivo San Isidro. The team flirted with promotion to the higher divisions on a number of occasions, and indeed did reach the 2nd division in 1957. However, for the rest of their history they spent their time in the 3rd division and regional leagues.
The decision to form a new club in 1976 came after the club had been given some land in the Getafe region of Madrid, and under the guidance of Alfonso Pérez the current stadium was built. The team gained promotion back to the 2nd Division at the end of 2002, although their stay at this level did not last long.
The unlikely happened in 2004 under the leadership of Bernd Schuster when the team finished runners up in the 2nd division to Levante and gained promotion to the La Liga for the first time in their history. In their first season at the top division they avoided the fate of the other two promoted teams, Numancia and Levante and stayed up to fight another season, finishing in mid-table.
The club enjoyed their first season back in La Liga taking notable scalps Including Valencia, Espanyol, Real Zaragoza, Alaves and a monumental 1-0 win away at the Vincente Calderon stadium against Athleticó Madrid which saw them finish safe of the relegation zone. This season it has been more of the same as the team looks to make themselves a regular fixture in the top division.
How to get to the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez The stadium sits a few miles south of the city centre, just outside the M45 outer ring road. The nearest station to the ground is the Estacion De Las Margaritas Universidad, which close to Avenida Rea De Pinte. The station is served on line C4 from Atocha RENFE on the line that goes south to Getafe central and Parta. On leaving the station, head straight ahead onto the main road, and then walk towards the motorway. Take the third right into Avenida Teresa De Calcutta for the stadium – the walk should be around 10 minutes.
You can also use the metro to get to the stadium. Line 12 (Gold Line) runs in the southern suburbs from the end of Line 10 (Dark Blue). Los Espartales is the nearest station on this line.
For a more details view on who plays where in Madrid go to Footiemap.com to access their excellent map of football in the city.
How to get a ticket for Coliseum Alfonso Pérez Tickets go on sale around 4 days before the game from the Ticket Office at the ground. The office is open from 10am to 1pm, and again from 5pm to 8pm. On a match day, should tickets still be available then the ticket office opens around 11am for personal callers. Ticket prices for regular games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez range from €30 for a seat behind either goal to €50 in the Tribuna Cubierta (covered main stand seating). Almost all games since the team have returned to the top division have been sold out. In fact with over 12,000 club members, very few tickets ever manage to go on sale to the general public.
Around the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez The area around Getafe’s ground is residential by nature to the south, with the M45 motorway immediately to the north. There are a couple of bars and restaurants on the main Avenida Read de Pinte close by the ground, and there is also a large hypermarket at the end of Avenida Teresa De Calcuta.
Atleticó Madrid - Estadio Vicente Calderón - Capacity: 54,851 All Seater
The Stadium – Estadio Vicente Calderón Paseo Virgen del Puerto 67, Puerta 4 ES, Madrid 28005
The existing stadium has been located on the banks of the River Manzanares for over 40 years. The stadium was inaugurated as the Estadio Manzanares in October 1966 when Atleticó were held to a 1-1 draw with Valencia. The name was changed in the late 1990’s to reflect the importance and contribution to the club of former chairman Calderón. The stadium also has the honour of being awarded 5 star status by UEFA, meaning that it can hold UEFA Cup and Champions League Final’s and thus becoming the only city in Europe that has two stadiums with such an honour.
During the summer months, the team train on the pitch during the morning. These sessions tend to be open to the public – just walk around to the entrances of the main stand and try the gates. The stadium is typical of a number of grounds in Spain, with one main stand set apart from the three other stands. In the case of Vicente Calderón, the stadium is full of rows and rows of alternative red and white seats, mirroring the famous shirts of the team.
Who Plays There? Atleticó have been the butt of jokes in Spanish football for too long. Now under the leadership of Enrique Torres as President, and Carlos Bianchi as coach the team are enjoying better days. Gone are the days of stories in the press of another change of coach after a slight disagreement with ex-President Jesús Gil y Gil.
The club was originally founded in 1903 as Athletic Club de Madrid by three Basque students studying in the capital city. Taking their inspiration from their beloved Athletic Bilbao, they bought a familiar Red and White striped kit that was to become the club’s trademark. At the time they earned the nickname “Los Colchoneros” which literally translates to the mattress makers, after the red and white striped material that was used to be used to cover mattresses.
In 1939 the club merged with Aviacion Nacional, the team of the Spanish Air Force to form a new team Athletic Aviacon de Madrid. In their first season as a new team the club won the Spanish League, and subsequently retained their title during the lean years of the Spanish Civil War. By the end of the decade the team had also dropped the Aviacon part of the name after al formal military links were severed in 1947. The club went on to win further championships in 1950 and 1951 before earning their first opportunity to play in European competition in 1961 when they recorded their one and only trophy by beating Fiorentina over two legs in the 1962 European Cup Winners Cup final. It looked like they may go all the way again the following season as they beat Nuremberg to reach the final. Unfortunately they came across a Danny Blanchflower inspired Tottenham who embarrassed the Spanish 5-1. In 1966, after winning the Spanish Cup the previous season the team lost in the quarter finals to Borussia Dortmund.
In 1970, now under the control of Jesús Gil y Gil the club won the title again, and looked forward to an extended run in Europe. This time they made the semi-finals before losing 3-1 to an inspired Ajax team who were in the process of conquering Europe. During the 1970’s the two teams from Madrid had a monopoly on the domestic honours, winning 8 League titles and 5 Spanish Cup titles. Atleticó’s haul of 3 League titles in 1970, 1973 and 1977 was an impressive haul and saw them edge out Barcelona as Spain’s second side behind Real.
The 1980’s proved to be a baron time for the club with only a single Kings Cup title in 1985 to shoe for their efforts. The 1980’s were famous though for the amount of coaches that President Gil y Gil managed to get through. Famous names in this period included Ron Atkinson and César Luis Menotti who masterminded Argentina’s World Cup win in 1978. Gil also oversaw a further barren period in the club’s history in the early 1990’s with coaches coming and going on an almost monthly basis. Ex-Luton Town player Raddy Antic had a number of stints in the hot seat, as too did current Spanish national coach Luis Aragonés. Further Copa Del Rey titles were captured in both 1991 and 1992 with wins against Mallorca and Real Madrid respectively.
The 1995/96 season dawned with little optimism from the loyal fans of Atleticó. However, a remarkable run of form up to Christmas saw the team head the league at the halfway point, from Valencia and Barcelona. The team managed to hold its nerve, based on a mean defence that conceded less than a goal a game to win the league by 4 points. The team inspired by a midfield of Argentineans Simeone and Caminero, and spearheaded by club legend Kiko then went on to beat Barcelona 1-0 in the Copa del Rey final to complete an unlikely domestic double.
Unfortunately the team could not build on their success of 1996. Consecutive 5th place finishes in 1997 and 1998 allowed the club to enter the UEFA Cup again. A run to the semi-finals in 1998 saw the team conquer Leicester City, PAOK Salonika (in an amazing 9-6 aggregate win) and Aston Villa before a narrow 1-0 defeat to Lazio eliminated them. The darkest days in the club’s history came in 2000 when they were relegated on the last day of the season, after picking up just 9 wins in 38 matches. The season had started so well for the team, with a run to the 4th Round of the UEFA Cup before they lost away at Lens late in January 2000. By that time the rot had set in. The team was not short of talent in that season. Inspired by Juninho in Midfield at the start of the season, before his move back to Middlesbrough, and with Hasselbaink and club legend Kiko up front coach, Claudio Ranieri could not get the team playing for each other just 4 years after the team had won the double.
Two seasons in hell, as the club termed them ensued. After a 5th pace finish in 2001, the team managed to return to La Liga as champions in 2002. Since then the club have finished in each season in mid-table. In the 2005/06 season, with the deadly strike force of Fernando Torres and ex-Chelsea flop Kezman the fans expectations were high. However, a 10th place finish was very disappointing and 2006/07 will be a watershed for the club.
How to get to the Estadio Vicente Calderón The Vicente Calderón is the closest stadium in Madrid to the city centre. The easiest way to reach the stadium on a match day is a 20-minute walk from the Royal Palace down Gran Via de San Franciso towards the river, although the excellent metro is another option. Just hop on metro line 5 (Green line) southwards to Pirámides station, 6 stops from Gran Via, and then follow the crowds downhill to the stadium. The stadium is also served by close to a dozen bus routes on a match day, including lines 17, 18 and 23.
For a more details view on who plays where in Madrid go to Footiemap.com to access their excellent map of football in the city.
How to get a Ticket for the Estadio Vicente Calderon Follow the link on the Athletico site and you will be able to reserve a ticket, then pick it up on the day of the game from a yellow Servicaixa machines at the ticket office (Thansk to Steve Smith for providing this tip). A ticket for the upper tier in the main stand costs €65.
Our partners at Main Event are one of the leading ticket agencies in Spain, and are official agents for Barcelona. They can provide tickets for almost every game in La Liga, with prices starting from €60.
Around the Estadio Vicente Calderón The stadium sits alongside the River Manzanares close to the city centre. The roads immediately around the stadium are lined with small bars and cafes, which come alive with red and white striped flags on match days.
Real Madrid - The Estadio Bernabéu - Current Capacity: 80,354 All Seater
The Stadium – The Estadio Bernabéu Concha Espina 1, 28036 Madrid
Possibly one of the most famous stadiums in the world, the Santiago Bernabéu is one of the most awesome sites on a match day. The stands are built close to the pitch and seem to rise up as far as the eye can see. The stadium is equally impressive when it is empty – a uniform of blue seats with the words Real Madrid C.F picked out in white on both sides of the stadium. The current capacity reflects its all seater status – a few years ago when terracing was still in place behind the goals, the capacity was regularly over 90,000.
Real Madrid’s first stadium was the Campo O’Donnell where they started playing in 1912. The ground was a very simple stadium with capacity for around 5,000 spectators and located a few minutes walk north of the current stadium. In 1923 the club decided to built new facilities and found some land close to the Bernabéu where they were able to build a 23,000 capacity stadium known as the Estadio de Chamartin. The club celebrated their first league title in May 1923, and officially opened the stadium with a match against Newcastle United in front of a near sell out crowd.
In 1943, Don Santiago de Bernabéu was elected President of the club and he vowed to build the team a new stadium fitting of their position as the best team in Spain. Land was found close by the Chamartin and building started in 1946. The current stadium was officially opened on the 14th December 1947 when Real took on the Portuguese team Belenenses. At the time the stadium was built as an open bowl with a capacity of 75,300 and was simply named the Nuevos Chamartin.
As the team’s success started to spread onto a European stage with the five consecutive European Cup wins in the mid 1950’s, the club decided that it should also have the finest stadium in Europe. Thousand of pesetas were spent in building a third tier to the stadium which took the capacity, when opened in 1955 to just over 120,000 – thus making it the largest stadium in Europe and one of the largest in the world. The first real test of the new facilities came in the European Cup final of 1957 when Real Madrid hosted Fiorentina in front of an unofficial 124,000 fans.
The stadium has gone on to host the European Cup final on in 1969 when AC Milan beat Ajax, 1980 when Nottingham Forest beat Hamburg and of course the 1982 World Cup Final. By that time, safety measures had forced the capacity to be reduced to 90,000.
Since the early 1980’s a number of changes have taken place to the stadium. A roof was constructed on three sides during the early 1990’s. Then a third tier was added to the East stand in the early 2000’s which along with the conversion of the whole ground to seating reduced the capacity to the current 80,354. The East stand also went through significant modernisation to its corporate facilities to reflect the status of the Club in terms of wealth. Recent guests who have been seen in these boxes include George Clooney and Tom Cruise, both guests of David Beckham.
The stadium offers magnificent views, even for those people in the upper tiers. However, be warned that the seating areas are quite steep and it is not advised to jump around too much in the upper tiers. Away fans are located in the North East corner top tier. Giant heaters in the roof provide almost Mediterranean temperatures even on the coldest Madrid nights. When England last played in Madrid in November 2004 the temperature in the stadium was so hot that many of the travelling fans stripped off their coats, jumpers and T-shirts, only to be met with sub zero temperatures when they got outside the stadium. The stadium also has a video screen that hangs down from the south stand. It is primarily used for advertising and updating other scores.
The ground is open daily for self-guided tours of the extensive club museum that also gives you a look inside this fantastic stadium. There is also daily-guided tour that takes in the areas normally out of bounds such as the changing rooms, the tunnel and the private dining areas. Check the club website at http://www.realmadrid.com/elclub/tour/portada_eng.htm for more details. The tour costs €9 for adults and €5 for concessions.
Who Plays There? On the 9th March 1902, Madrid Football club played is first match, with a game played between twenty-two of its members on a ground in Plaza de Toros. The team were coached by an Englishman, a similar situation to that which existed at Barcelona and Bilbao when Arthur Johnson agreed to manage the team. In 1904 the club merged with a number of local teams, including Moderno Amicala and Moncloa. The results of this new team soon started to improve, and in 1905 the team won their first Spanish Championship in 1905.
In 1912 the team had its own ground at last, when they moved to O’Donnell field. As the team continued to make progress on the field, they got recognition off the pitch. In June 1920, the King granted the team his royal patronage and allowed them to become Real Madrid. In 1923 the team moved to their new ground at Cuidad Lineal as Real Madrid beat Irún, where their stay was temporary until their own stadium at Chamartín was built.
In 1930 the first real superstar arrived to play for Real in the new national championship. Ricardo Zamora went on to be a legend between the posts for the team. In 1936 the team won the Spanish cup, beating Barcelona 2-1 in the last final played before the civil war, which stopped football in the country for over 3 years. When football recommenced in 1939 the team rebuilt both in terms of their playing staff, and the ground at Chamartín that had been used as a prisoner of war camp. In 1943 Real Madrid recorded one of their biggest wins in history as they beat Barcelona 11-1.
A few months later Santiago Bernabéu becomes president of the club, and vowed to build the club a “cathedral” in the city, which opened three years later in December 1947. During the early 1950’s the team embarked on a programme of recruiting the best players in Europe. The Millionaires as they become known throughout the world consisted of world-class players such as Alfredo Di Stefano, Kubala and Ferenc Puskas. In their first season together the team win their first championship in twenty-one yeas as Di Stefano’s 29 goals see they beat Valencia to the title. The title meant that Real Madrid were invited to play in the first European Cup competition. The team adapted to a new style of play and in the Parc des Princes in Paris the team beat Stade Reims 4-3 to win the first ever European Cup. A year later in front of over 120,000 home fans the team retained its trophy at the Bernabéu with a 2-0 win over Fiorentina.
A third European cup triumph was achieved a year later as the team narrowly defeated AC Milan in Brussels. By this point, the team had become the most feared in the whole of Europe, and although domestic honours can harder to win during their European triumphs. In 1959 the team replayed their final of 1956 against Stade Reims in Stuttgart, winning their fourth consecutive title with a 2-0 win. Less than twelve months later the team met Eintract Frankfurt in Glasgow in a final that has become known as the final of the century. The forward line of Di Stefano and Puskas dominate the German’s from the first minute, and a 7-3 victory earns Real Madrid their 5th consecutive title. In November 1960, the team lost their first ever European Cup match as they lost to Barcelona, although this match is tainted for the role played by English Referee Leafe who disallowed 4 Real goals. However they did manage to win the Intercontinental cup for the first time.
The team returned to domestic honours in the early sixties as Real captured five consecutive titles between 1961 and 1965. They also returned to the final in 1962 when they lost to Benfica in Amsterdam and again in 1964 when they lost 3-1 to Inter Milan in Vienna. However less than 2 years later the team won its title of the champions of Europe again with a 2-1 win over Partizan Belgrade in Brussels. Further league titles in 1968 and 1969 enabled them to become the most feared team in the World. In 1971 the team met Chelsea in their first ever European Cup Winners Cup final in Athens. After a tense 1-1 draw, the Londoners win the replay 2-1. It would be a further 10 years before the team would return to a European Final.
The seventies were a low period for the club, capped by the death in 1978 of Santiago Bernabéu. Success on the field saw championships won between 1975 and 1980, with one exception in 1977. In June 1980 a unique event takes place as Real Madrid met its junior team Castilla in the final of the King’s Cup in the Bernabéu stadium. Despite the 6-1 victory for Real, both teams qualify for Europe. Their fortunes are contrasting in 1981 as Castilla lost in the first round of the European Cup Winners Cup to West Ham 6-4 on aggregate, after a 3-1 home victory in Madrid is marred by crowd trouble. Real went on to reach the European Cup final.
At the scene of their first ever European victory at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Real fell just short and lost 1-0 to the mighty reds from Liverpool. After a period of inactivity the team returns to winning ways again with news stars like Michel, Hugo Sanchez and Butragueño winning the Championship title as well as their first ever UEFA Cup in 1985 beating Videotron of Hungary 3-1, a feat they repeated 12 months later when they beat Cologne 5-3.
The 1990’s saw a return to glories for the team, as well as a new revamped stadium. Work during the Summer of 1994 took the capacity up to 110,000. The following season, after a magnificent 5-0 victory against Barcelona the team won the championship again.
The team became the first team of Spain again in the proceeding years with a further Championship title in 1997 as well as the Spanish Super Cup in the same year, beating Barcelona 4-1. The team were now managed by Fabio Capello who signs such stars as Roberto Carlos, Clarence Seedorf and Davor Suker. In May 1997 the team returned to winning ways in Europe with a 1-0 victory in Amsterdam against Juventus in the European Cup final. Six months later the team represented Europe in the annual Intercontinental Cup in Tokyo where Real beat Vasco de Gama 2-1, with new rising star Raúl scoring the winning goal.
In May 2000 the team returned to its favourite European Cup hunting ground of Paris where they took on Valencia in the first all Spanish final. Inspired by the creativity of Steve McManaman, Luis Figo and Raúl the team from the capital ran out 3-0 winners.
In 2002 the team celebrated their centenary. Hopes are high for a clean sweep of titles in that year, with a team now including such stars of Galacticos as Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and Luis Figo. Unfortunately the party was spoilt by Deportivo La Coruna who beat Madrid 2-1 in the Spanish Cup final, held on the night of their 100th birthday in the Bernabéu. The club however did gain some consolation with a 2-1 victory in Glasgow over Bayer Leverkusen to capture another European Cup title. Less then 3 months later they also added their only missing trophy, the European Super Cup with a 3-1 victory over Feyenoord in Monaco.
In December 2002 the team captured their third Intercontinental Trophy with a 2-0 win over the Paraguayans of Olimpia. That season was also memorable for an unlikely title win. With Real Sociedad leading the way for the whole season, it came as a shock to many that they proceeded to throw away the title in the final weeks. On the last day of the season Real Madrid stole the title with a 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao and thus gave Real Madrid their 29th Championship.
In the summer of 2003 another Galacticos landed at the Bernabéu as David Beckham signed a 3-year deal. In his first competitive game for the club he scored the third goal in a 3-0 win over Mallorca in the Spanish Super Cup to bring another title back to the capital. However, this was to be the last trophy the current team won. In the past two seasons, the club has had 5 coaches and players have come and gone regularly. Star names such as Michael Owen and Robinho have arrived, but Luis Figo, and latterly Owen have been allowed to leave. Last season the final 2nd place finish wasn’t enough to stop the revolution at the club as in came Fabio Capello for his second spell, and the club said goodbye to Zinedine Zidane and Thomas Graveson.
The current squad with Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Antonio Reyes, Fabio Cannevaro and Emerson being drafted in to deliver a trophy. At the time of going to press, Van Nistelrooy had certainly made his mark with over a dozen goals so far as Real Madrid were one of a handful of clubs fighting for top spot. In Europe the second round of the Champions League beckons already.
If you want to watch a Real Madrid "B" game (Real Madrid Castilla) who currently play in La Ligua 2, then take the metro to Campo de las Naciones on Line 8 and walk alongside the big exhibition hall. until you come to the Real Marid training complex - the Alfredo Di Stefano complex. Tickets cost €10 for an unreserved seat - Thanks to Steve Smith for supplying this info.
How to get to the Estadio Bernabéu The stadium has its own metro stop, Santiago Bernabéu, which sits virtually on top of Line 1 (the Dark Blue Line) just one stop north of Nuevos Ministerios. The station is big enough to handle the crowds coming to the match, as they tend to arrive over a period of time. After the match the station is often closed for safety reasons and crowds are either directed northwards to Cuzco, or to the west towards Alvarado and Estrecho stations on Line 2 (the Light Blue Line). The stadium is also well served by buses – Lines 14, 27, 40, 43, 47, 120 and 150 make the regular journey from the city centre to Plaza de Lima on the south western corner of the stadium.
For a more details view on who plays where in Madrid go to Footiemap.com to access their excellent map of football in the city.
How to get a ticket for the Estadio Bernabéu It’s actually a lot easier than you think to get a ticket to see Real Madrid – as long as you chose your game wisely. The chances of getting a ticket for the games versus Barcelona, Atleticó or one of the two Seville teams is remote, but you will be surprised at how many tickets are available for the remaining games, especially those in the Champions League. The average league attendance in 2004/05 was 71,900.
The best way to try your luck on a ticket is to call the ticket hotline +34 902 234 234 to see when and where tickets are available. Sometimes you get lucky and you get through to a fluent English speaker and they may be able to hold tickets for you at one of the ticket offices (Tarquillas). Normally tickets are on sale to personal callers in the days leading up to the match from the office between gates 1 and 6.
Our partners at Main Event are one of the leading ticket agencies in Spain, and are official agents for Barcelona. They can provide tickets for almost every game in La Liga, with prices starting from €60.
Around the Estadio Bernabéu The stadium rears up from amongst the posh residential apartment blocks in the upmarket Chamartín area of the city. There are numerous bars on all sides of the ground, and there is a shopping centre on the southeast corner of the ground where you will also find one of the official club shops. The bars around the Concha Espina are frequented by the Ultra Sur fans, which are best avoided in a build up to the match.
Madrid Barajas airport is located 16 kilometres northeast of the city centre, and is linked to the city by the newly constructed metro line 8(the Pink one). The airport is huge – it has three main terminals, one of which is reserved for internal flights operated by national carrier Iberia.
The easiest way to reach the city centre from the airport is to catch the Metro Line 8 (Pink Line) from Terminal 2 to Nuevos Ministerios station. The journey should take around 15 minutes, and is considerably quicker than the old Line 4 (Brown Line) access to the city, which required at least 2 changes, and over 50 minutes travel. The station at Nuevos Ministerios has been significantly upgraded and it is now possible to check in here for you return flights for a number of airlines including Iberia, British Airways and KLM. The Airport is used by Air Madrid and Air Plus from London Gatwick, Easyjet from Bristol, London Gatwick, London Luton and Liverpool, Ryanair from Bournemouth, East Midlands and Dublin, BA and Iberia from London Gatwick and Heathrow, BA Connect from Birmingham, Manchester and London City.
The Stadium – The Coliseum Alfonso Pérez
Who Plays There?
The Stadium – Estadio Vicente Calderón
The Stadium – The Estadio Bernabéu
Who Plays There?