Real Madrid (soccer team)
The "Galacticos", the usual winners of the UEFA Europa League, have won the cup 13 times so far, and have beaten the defending team many times, making them an insurmountable rival. Known as the "Galactic Armada", they have performed well in their last five knockout rounds against defending UEFA champions. This includes the elimination of Chelsea in the current tournament, as well as four previous trips to the championship, and it remains to be seen whether they can do it again this time around.
Since 1998, Real Madrid have played the defending champions five times in the UEFA knockout stages, against Borussia Dortmund in 1998, Manchester United in 2000, Bayern Munich in 2002 and 2014, and Chelsea in 2022. Real Madrid have won all five of these encounters, deserving their reputation as the "Kings of the UEFA".
Throughout history, Real Madrid have met the defending champions in the UEFA knockout stages a total of 12 times, of which they have managed to eliminate their opponents on nine occasions, with only three defeats. These three defeats occurred against Ajax in 1973, Bayern Munich in 1976 and AC Milan in 1990.
