1978–79 Real Madrid CF season

Nineteen days after the death of Santiago Bernabéu, Luis De Carlos was appointed as new President of the club on 21 June 1978.[1] The new Chairman released a new board of directors on 1 September 1978 in an attempt to normalize the club after the turmoil of last year.[2] Owing to financial issues including a growing debt, De Carlos did not reinforced the squad with high-profile players, instead of that, there had a few low-cost arrivals such as: Rafael García Cortés and Francisco García Hernández along Maté and Hipólito Rincón in a sign of austerity for upcoming years, in an era known as "The Madrid of Los Garcia" until 1982.[3]

In the European Cup the team, shockingly, was eliminated early in the second round by underdogs Swiss side Grasshopper Club Zürich on the away goals rule.[4] Meanwhile, in the Copa del Rey the squad advanced to the final where it was defeated by Valencia CF 2–0 at Vicente Calderón Stadium.

The club clinched its 19th League title also second in a row, four points above runners-up Sporting Gijón. Had they also won the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid would've clinched the double, something they would achieve next season.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player — GK  ESP García Remón — DF  ESP San José — DF  ARG Enrique Wolff — DF  ESP Goyo Benito — DF  ESP Juan Sol — MF  FRG Uli Stielike — MF  ESP Pirri — MF  ESP Vicente del Bosque — FW  DEN Henning Jensen — FW  ESP Santillana — FW  ESP Juanito

No. Pos. Nation Player — GK  ESP Miguel Ángel — FW  ARG Carlos Guerini — FW  ARG Roberto Martínez — FW  ESP Isidro — DF  ESP José Antonio Camacho — DF  ESP Rafael García Cortés — MF  ESP Alberto Vitoria — FW  ESP Ico Aguilar — DF  ESP Andrés Sabido — GK  ESP Maté — MF  ESP Francisco García Hernández

The Madrid of los Garcia (in Spanish)

• BDFútbol