It was all Real Madrid this season. Evidently, the influx of Leftists improved the Rightist club – Miljanic was from the dictatorial school of football coaches, but it was familiar approach to his pupils anyway, so nobody complained. He was very good coach too – he moved Breitner permanently to midfield, a brilliant decision, not only enforcing the weaker line of Real, but also utilizing fully the capacity of the player. And Breitner himself was willing, so the potential clash of strong heads was avoided. In fact, Breitner hardly lived up to his quarrelsome reputation in Spain – Maoist he may had been, but he was firstly German and discipline run strongly in his veins. Breitner on the pitch was the opposite of Breitner outside the pitch: on the pitch, he followed orders and tactical schemes. To a point, he proved more valuable than Neeskens, for he had bigger role and covered larger field, playing everything – attacking when attack was needed; defending when extra leg was needed in defense; and dispatching balls to teammates at all time. Netzer was quieter, if that is the world, but he never played to his full ability in Spain – partly, it was his aging. Yet, he was dangerous to ignore and still gave 40-metre long deadly passes at unexpected moments. His very presernce required attention… taking a man from the opposite team out of the game pretty much: keeping an eye on Netzer was idle, but full time job. Real Madrid was taking full advantage of reduced opposition, of course, and ended the season with a double!
It was better squad than the Catalunian one: it had debth. Miguel Angel edged Garcia Remon as number one goalkeepr, but even here the advantage was obvious: Barca really had one good goalie, who was dangerously old (Sadurni). Young defenders were rapidly making names for themselves and already were included in the national team: Camacho, Del Bosque, Jose Luis. Ahead, it was mixture of veterans, experienced strong players, and young talent: Velasquez, Grosso, Pirri, Aguilar. Add vastly talented Carlos Santillana, the brightest young star of Spain. Add Roberto Martinez, a deadly goalscorer. It was deep squad which Miljanic directed well. The Argentine Oscar Mas found himself a hopeless extra at the beginning of the season and returned to his home land, but his departure did not affect Real Madrid at all – the club was not looking that superior for a long, long time, and it looked like a new brilliant era was beginning. Spain first, Europe – next! Brand new great Real Madrid. And Barca – in the dust. Not even a cup final for them… Atletico Madird lost the final against Real Madrid. True, it was goalsless draw and only penalties gave the cup to Real, but – hey! For this team it was only a beginning. Just wait a year. Illusions never end…