The Blond Arrow of Europe - Legend of Di Stefano: Part Four

THE LEGEND OF DI STEFANO

PART FOUR:
THE BLOND ARROW OF EUROPE
- Di Stefano and the European Cups

"If there was a King in the European Cup, it was surely Alfredo Di Stéfano."
Champions of Europe

1ST EUROPEAN CUP

The 1956/57 season is the first season the European Cup was launched. This tournament was small and Real beat Servette, Partizan Belgrade and AC Milan to reach the Final. Their opponents were a formidable Reims side led by Raymond Kopa, considered the greatest French player until the arrival of Michel Platini. In a difficult match, Real fell behind twice but Di Stéfano led a great comeback and Real won the first European Cup.

Raymond Kopa, one of Di Stefano's greatest rivals

Real Madrid's winning team of the first ever European Cup in 1956. Players: left to right (upper row): Alonso, Atienza, Marquitos, Lesmes, Muñoz, Zárraga; (bottom row): Joseíto, Marchal, Di Stéfano, Rial, Gento. Note that the players lined up according to their shirt numbers.

2ND EUROPEAN CUP

After the first European Cup Final, Real were so impressed by Kopa that they bought him from Reims. But with Di Stéfano already playing as the "deep-lying center-forward", Kopa was forced to play on the right wing.
With a superb forward line now comprised of Di Stéfano, Rial, Kopa and Gento, Real retained the trophy. Their semi-final opponents were Manchester United and the so-called "Busby Babes", including Bobby Charlton and Duncan Edwards.

Real Madrid's winning team of the 1958 European Cup. Kopa (upper row, far left) has now joined the team and played on the right wing.

GOAL!
Di Stéfano scoring from the penalty spot against Fiorentina in the 1957 European Cup Final (picture from the Rete! web site)

In the Final, Di Stéfano scored one of the goals, blasting in a penalty to defeat Fiorentina 2-0. This year, Real Madrid also won the domestic championship and Di Stéfano was top scorer in both the Spanish league and the Champion's Cup. Following his outstanding season, Di Stéfano was voted European Footballer of the Year. He was also named the Spanish player of the Year.

3RD EUROPEAN CUP

In 1957/58 season, following the acquisition of Kopa from France, Real Madrid brought
another superstar from overseas. He was the famous Uruguayan center-back Jose Santamaria, who starred in the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland.

This season Alfredo played even more spectacularly, he can be found dashing between the two penalty areas, making clearances on the defensive, making plays in midfield and scoring goals in attack.

Real's 1958 European Cup winning team. Santamaria (upper row, 3rd from the left) was the most significant new acquisition.

SAVE!
Alonso beat out a Schiaffino shot during the 1957 Final

Their opponents in the Final was Milan, who they defeated in the 1956 semis. Milan's lineup included two World Cup superstars - Sweden's Liedholm and Schiaffino of Uruguay, plus Italy's Cesare Maldini. Together, they gave Real a run for their money. But again Di Stéfano rose to the occasion, scoring one goal and inspiring them to a 3-2 victory after extra-time.

4TH EUROPEAN CUP

The Three Soccer Kings
(from left to right): Kopa, Di Stéfano and Puskas

This season, Real again looked for new players to strengthen there already-impressive squad. They bought Didi from Brazil and signed also Puskas. Didi, who played in the same orchestrator role as Di Stéfano, lack the fitness and stamina for the Spanish game and did not fit in with the team. But Puskas shone by scoring 30 goals in the league, even though he did not play in the 1959 European Cup Final.

In Europe, Di Stefano led Real to the 4th Champion's Cup, beating Just Fontaine's Reims. In the domestic front, Di Stéfano won the Spanish league top scorer award for the fourth consecutive time.

POWERHOUSE
Di Stéfano (center) could be found back right in front of his own goal when Just Fontaine (right) bore down on Real's goalkeeper.

Di Stéfano's clinching goal against Reims also broke his own record in scoring in the 4th consecutive European Cup Final. His impressive achievements this year again won him the European Footballer of the year award.

BEST AGAIN
Real's 1959 European Cup winning team

5TH EUROPEAN CUP

Di Stéfano (far right) and his teammates carrying the 4th European Cup back to Madrid

Expectations were again sky-high for Real in the European Cup, especially when Real were "only" second in the domestic league and Spanish Cup. Many people said before the match Real Madrid dominance will come to an end. Einchrant Frankfurt, afterall, have beaten Scottish champions Glasglow Rangers 12-4. How would Di Stéfano respond to his dangerous opponent? We will soon find out.

Real
Madrid

Eintracht Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt started the game well and went ahead in the 18th minute. With Real playing below their standard up to this point, Di Stéfano suddenly shifted up a gear and took control of the game. In the 27th minute, he ran into the Eintracht penalty area for the first time and immediately scored an equalising goal.

FIFTH IN SUCCESSION
Di Stéfano's opening goal meant he scored in all 5 Champions' Cup Finals he played so far

A few minutes later, Real's winger Canario hit a shot which Eintracht goalkeeper fumbled. Di Stéfano, even in his mid 30s, was the fastest man to react. He raced in and blasted the ball into the roof of the net. With Alfredo dominating the pitch, Real controlled the game and Puskas scored 4 goals including one penalty.

FIFTH SUCCESS
Alfredo's fifth and last Champions' Cup

The Germans then scored to make it 6-2. Right from the restart, Di Stéfano received the ball from Gento in the center circle. He brushed aside one opponent, and then played a one-two with Puskas to get past two defenders. Darting right towards the penalty area, nobody could catch Di Stéfano and the striker unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the area. The ball flew into the bottom left hand corner. The Eintracht goalkeeper could only watch as the ball thundered in. The match, which ended 7-3, is still being revered as the greatest game ever played.

GOALS GALORE
Puskas, who scored 4 that night, was the main beneficiary of Di Stéfano's assists and playmaking skills.

INTERCONTINENTAL CUP
- ALFREDO A WORLD CHAMPION!!!

WORLD CHAMPION
Zarraga carrying the first ever Intercontinental Cup

In the autumn of 1960, the first ever World Cup club was launched. As the champion of Europe, Real played a two-leg tie against the South American champion to decide who will take the world title. Their opponents are Penarol of Uruguay. After a long trip to Uruguay, Real Madrid only drew 0-0. But in the return leg played in Madrid, Di Stéfano and Puskas both hit form again. Real stormed to a crushing 5-1 victory, with Di Stéfano scoring one of the goals. Real thus won the first ever Intercontinental Cup and Di Stéfano was now a world champion.

Look at the later years of Di Stéfano's playing career

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