10 Reasons Real Madrid Are The Best Side In Europe

3. A Mix Of Youth And Experience

Going hand-in-hand with their strength in depth is Madrid's near perfect mix of young and experienced players. It is well documented that one of the key factors to a football club being highly successful is having a blend of young stars who are unafraid to show flare, and more experienced heads who can control the game. Real Madrid have historically had this mix spot on and it seems to be working perfectly at the minute. In terms of youth they have Raphael Varane, whom Jose Mourinho recently called "the best young defender in the world", and 23 year old James Rodriguez waiting in the wings for a transfer to be made. Should that anticipated move go through then Madrid will add to their growing collection of world stars who are under the age of 25 and yet to peak. Added to the flare of Real Madrid's younger players, within the squad there are also numerous 'older heads' that provide the necessary stability for a team to withstand the pressures of football at the top level. Xabi Alonso, now 32, has played football at the top level for a decade and now turns his experience and talent to contributing to Real Madrid's recent successes. After already winning the tournament with Liverpool, Alonso has provided Real Madrid with that much needed calmness and experience that allowed them to win their 10th Champions League title. It is this mix, which has been lacking in teams such as Manchester United and AC Milan in recent years, that contributes to Real Madrid being the top side in Europe.