A slow curve for Real Madrid Femenino
History was made on Saturday as Real Madrid's new female football team, currently known as CD Tacón, kicked-off the new season in the most emphatic fashion, albeit not the fashion accustomed to a club of Los Blancos' standing.
A 9-1 reverse at FC Barcelona showed there is much work to be done with Madrid's newest team if they are to match the success of the men's team, and also why this year will very much be a transitional one for David Aznar's side.
The result in Catalonia was, of course, a disappointing one for Tacón on any level but it should be taken with a pinch of salt. This team is, for starters, one which only achieved promotion to the top flight last season and one which is adjusting to its new demands, media coverage and surroundings. A heavy defeat against one of the best teams in the competition was always expected, if not by such a margin.
It was unfortunate that the fixture calendar pitted Tacón against Barcelona in the opening match. Although the Real Madrid name will not come to be until next season, the clash was always an opportunity for there media to build the clash up as a Clásico, building on a successful Women's World Cup in the summer. It made the loss all the heavier, from the outside at least.
From the inside, the concerns will not be too great. Madrid have already thrown money at the team with some big-name signings such as Swedish internationals Kosovare Asllani and Sofia Jakobsson and Brazilian international Thaisa but this is very much as work in progress. The aim is to survive this season and build big next summer.
The aim, as always with Real Madrid, is to win. There will also be business interests given the current success of the women's game, but Madrid bought this team to ultimately win. There will, however, be leeway for the project to grow. While modern football allows little time for success, even the demands of Real Madrid will be lowered to ease their newest team into Valdebebas and into the surrounding where it belongs.
One would imagine the official history of Real Madrid Femenino will not begin until next given, to allow for a more positive first-ever result, but this season will at least be an interesting one. A rollercoaster awaits, and we'll all be along for the ride.