The club won its 13th League title ever and second in a row[1] after recovered the number one spot from Atlético Madrid on round 16, the team clinched the trophy three points above runners-up CF Barcelona.[2] In the Copa del Generalísimo, the team reached the Final with a chance to secure the domestic double. There, Real faced Barcelona, losing 0–1 after an early Zunzunegui own goal.[3] After the end of the season, President Santiago Bernabéu gave the Laureada trophy to Pirri due to his outstanding playing in favor of Real Madrid, being only one of two players in club history to receive it.[4]
Meanwhile, in the European Cup the team suffered to win the preliminary round series against Ajax with young star playmaker Johan Cruijff, the Dutch squad was finally defeated after extra time in Madrid. Then, the squad clinched the round of 16, and quarterfinals against Sparta Praha reaching the semi-finals where it was defeated by young star forward George Best and his Manchester United,[5] losing the away match of the series (0–1 at Old Trafford). In the second leg at Madrid, the squad took a 3–1 advantage score in the first half, however, in the second half Manchester United managed to score two goals and getting the draw to reach the Final. The English squad included in its line up players such as: Denis Law (under surgery just before the Final), 1966 FIFA World Cup Champion Bobby Charlton and Nobby Stiles.[6]
Goalkeeper Andres Junquera won the Zamora Trophy with the better average of goals conceded.[7] After 9 years, two times European Cup winner defender Pachin left the club.[8]
Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
