Real Madrid vs. Partizan: Remembering the First European Cup Victory
On December 25, 1955, Spanish club Real Madrid hosted Serbian side Partizan Belgrade in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the inaugural European Cup. The match took place at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Real Madrid secured a dominant 4-0 victory, with goals scored by Castaño (two), Gento, and Di Stéfano. The club officially confirmed the match date in a statement, saying: “Certainly, the Real Madrid vs. Partizan match will take place on December 25 at the Bernabéu.”
In related news, the club's president at the time, Santiago Bernabéu, justified an increase in ticket prices by stating: “The rate of increase in seat prices is subject to the club’s needs.” The players spent Christmas Eve in a closed training camp in preparation for this historic encounter.
In the return leg, held on January 29, 1956, in Belgrade, Partizan won 3-0 on an icy pitch. Coach Villalonga commented on the match conditions, saying: “It was a mistake to agree to play on these dates. The pitch was an ice rink.”
Despite the second-leg defeat, Real Madrid advanced to the next round with a 4-3 aggregate score and continued their journey in the competition, ultimately lifting the trophy.
