Real Madrid chasing unprecedented ‘pure Sextuple’

Five months and five days to win five major competitions - a feat which would complete an historic season. For the first time, Real Madrid are chasing the Sextuple - they already have one trophy in the bag, the European Super Cup and now they are aiming to win the other five, the culmination would be on 10 June if Ancelotti’s team make it all the way to the Champions League final. If they are successful, it would be the first time that any team has won the ‘pure’ Sextuple in the same season, since both Barcelona (2009 and 2015) and Bayern Munich (2020) won six trophies over two separate campaigns. The first piece of silverware, the European Super Cup, is already in Madrid’s trophy room and in just over a month, two further title could arrive - the Spanish Super Cup and the Club World Cup. We take a look at how the odds stack up for Madrid in each competition between now and June...

You might also like

European Super Cup

Madrid laid the first stone for the Sextuple in the opening game of the season. The new European champions travelled to Helsinki to face Europa Leasgue winners Eintracht Frankfurt in the Super Cup. Ancelotti’s men beat the Germans 2-0 with goals from Alaba and Benzema. Casemiro meanwhile took the MVP in his last game as a Real Madrid player.

LaLiga

On the domestic front, as we approach the midway stage (Week 16), the 2022/23 campaign is turning into the most equal and evenly-fought league contest of the past nine years. Madrid begin the New Year joint top of the table with Barcelona, both level on 38 points. Their nearest rivals, Real Sociedad, are third on 29 points. Los Blancos prevailed 3-1 in the Clásico back in October with goals from Benzema, Valverde and Rodrygo (Ferran Torres was on target for Barça) and the return fixture at the Camp Nou is set for 19 March. After that, there will be 12 matchdays until the league is concluded on 4 June.

Spanish Super Cup

The most immediate title up for grabs - it will be played next week in Saudi Arabia. Ancelotti’s men must first beat Valencia in the semi-finals (Wednesday 11th, 4 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT) and then in the final (Sunday 15th) against the winner of Betis vs. Barcelona. If successful, Madrid would retain the title and would also break a curse - under the new format, neither the League nor the Cup champions have managed to win the trophy.

Copa del Rey

The knockout tournament begins what is going to be an intensive few months. After beating Cacereño 0-1 in their opening game, Madrid advance to the Round of 16 (midweek ties to be played on or around 18 January) with the quarter finals (25 January) concentrated over two consecutive weeks. The first leg of the semi-finals will be postponed because it coincides with the Club World Cup (8 February) and the return is scheduled for 1 March. The final will be played at La Cartuja in Seville on 6 May. Madrid will find out who they will face in the Last 16 in Saturday’s draw.

Club World Cup

Before the Champions League resumes, Madrid have another commitment - a consequence of winning their 14th European crown. The team will travel to Morocco in search of their eighth world title. The semi-final will be on 7 or 8 February. Madrid, as European champions, will discover who their rivals will be in Friday’s draw (13 January). Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Seattle Sounders (United States), Al Ahly (Egypt), Auckland City (New Zealand) and Flamengo (Brazil) are the other participants. As Flamengo enter at the semi-final stage, Madrid can only face them if they both reach the final.

Champions League

“It is the most important competition for us,” Ancelotti reiterated on Monday. And the last one in Madrid’s quest for the Sextuple. Madrid are back in action in Europe on 21 February when they face Liverpool at Anfield in the first leg of the Last 16. The return leg will be played at the Bernabéu on 15 March - four days before El Clásico. This edition of the tournament has been lengthened to accommodate the recent World Cup with the quarter finals scheduled for 11-19 April and the semi-finals from 9 to 17 May.

Madrid are aiming for what would be the club’s 15th title, and potentially completing the Sextuple. The final will take place on Saturday 10 June at the Olympic Ataturk in Istanbul.