1998/99: Managed by Guus Hiddink, Madrid finished 2nd in La Liga, behind Barcelona. The team featured stars like Raúl, Fernando Hierro, Roberto Carlos, and newcomers from the “Galácticos” era’s early phase, blending experience with emerging talent.
1999/2000: Under Vicente del Bosque, Madrid reclaimed La Liga, showcasing attacking flair, defensive stability, and squad depth. European campaigns ended in the quarter-finals against Valencia.
2000/01: Madrid finished 2nd in La Liga, narrowly behind Deportivo La Coruña, and were eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals by Bayern Munich. This period emphasized domestic consistency while exposing European challenges before the Galácticos fully arrived.
