The final of the Champions League in Milan was still two weeks away, and in Spain's far north-west, Real Madrid were frustrated and title-lessso close but still so far; surrounded by what ifs.Again."Barcelona deserved to win La Liga," conceded manager Zinedine Zidane in his typically quiet and considered manner. His side had just defeated Deportivo La Coruna at Riazor, but it didn't matter; at the other end of the country, Luis Suarez's hat-trick at Granada had propelled Barcelona to another title. It was the Blaugrana's sixth title of any kind in 12 months and their sixth in the league in eight years. Zidane was correct, they'd deserved it alright. But he was correct on something else, too: "But you've got to take your hat off to what we've done," he added.Zidane wasn't referring to Madrid's entire season, and nor was he even referring to his entire tenure to that point. Instead, it was a nod towards his club's late surge to the line: 11 games, 11 wins, 39 goals for and only nine against.It was a run that included a Clasico triumph, strong victories over Sevilla and Villarreal, and one rousing comeback; it was a run in which they addressed their problematic away form and began to answer long-running questions over balance and structure.The Champions League title followed, all of itrepresenting a platform for Madrid. If only they'd use it. Well, as it turns out, they just might.This is typically a time of fanfare or upheaval in the Spanish capital, but this summer is intriguingly different. Across the country in Catalonia, Barcelona have been busy in adding Andre Gomesas the clubannounced on their website on ThursdaySamuel Umtiti, Lucas Digne and Denis Suarez, and they won't stop there. Another striker is also wanted.At the Bernabeu, though, a low-key feeling has lingered. Whether by design or not, the club's activity to date has been unusually quiet, the repurchase of Alvaro Morata from Juventus standing as their only significant deal thus far.Have Madrid finally learned something'In line with most of them during Florentino Perez's two-part presidency, Madrid's recent summers have been turbulent and disruptive, stripping the club of any season-to-season continuity. Following Jose Mourinho's exit in 2013, the hiring of Carlo Ancelotti coincided with the squad shakeup that saw Gareth Bale arrive. The results since have justified that move, but the team's sluggish start that season amid a transitional phase has been something Madrid have continued to impose on themselves since.The following year, in the wake of their late surge to European glorysee the pattern here'the opportunity was there to consolidate. A balance had been struck and a strong collective identity had grown, but instead Perez and Madrid ripped it up and started again.Angel Di Maria was sold to accommodate James Rodriguez. Xabi Alonso saw what was coming when Toni Kroos was signed and left before he was pushed. Madrid subsequently lost two of their opening three league games, before falling apart in the season's second half due to the prioritising of style over structure.Ancelotti paid for that, even though it was the club that had given him the problems he couldn't ultimately solve. Rafa Benitez was then brought in last summer, and a political mess quickly ensued.Time and again, then, Madrid have neglected to pay attention to the small details that determine success or failure in the tiny margins that exist at La Liga's summit. At times, one has sensed that such neglect trickles its way into the minds of certain parts of the squad, too."There is still a long way to go before the season ends," said Sergio Ramos amid the turmoil of January when Zidane replaced Benitez. "It's about how you finish, not how you start."It was a remark that seemed to encapsulate the realisation Madrid continually fail to make: Everything matters. Every. Single. Last. Thing. That includes the nature of your pre-season, your squad construction, your institutional setup (the absence of a sporting director springs to mind), the players' relationship with medical staff, the cultivation of an on-field model and a sense of stability.For three seasons now, Madrid have given little thought to such fundamentals. In that time, they've missed out on league titles by three points, two points and one pointtiny margins.But this summer looks different, and there's serious potential for the season ahead because of it.Ahead of 2016-17, the absence of managerial upheaval and squad turnover leaves Zidane's men looking settled.At the back end of last season, Real's boss worked his way toward a clear system and defined starting XI, and that should continue into the new campaign: Keylor Navas in goal; Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo and Dani Carvajal in defence; the trio of Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric in midfield; Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Bale up front.There are peripheral issues when your XI is so clear-cut, but a too-often-changing Madrid need that. Year on year they've been overcome domestically by Barcelona's clarity and strength in identity, but now they might finally have some of that themselves.When they meet Sevilla to contest the UEFA Super Cup in Norway next month to kick off their season, Madrid will be a process of continuation rather than discovery. In contrast to the corresponding period last year, Kroos will know what his role is. Casemiro should carry the belief of his manager. Bale's positioning will be clear. Ditto for Ronaldo. And if sense continues to prevail, Carvajal won't be in a price-tag fuelled mess at right-back.As their late charge last season showed, there's a lot that's good in Madrid when those conditions exist."I am content with the squad we have," said Zidane this week. "It's difficult to improve on it."For Zidane, it's also significant that he enters the season as a figure of authority. His two most recent predecessors always lacked that, as Perez undermined their work. But the Frenchman's iconic status, the nature of his appointment and his immediate success have empowered him.That's reflected in the recruitment ofAntonio Pintus, a fitness coach whom Zidane worked with at Juventus and who should ease the tension between players and the medical department headed up by Jesus Olmo. Olmo is close to Perez, per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan, but Zidane's request has been listened to.Given the club's recent history, Pintus' arrival could be the most pivotal at Madrid this summer, and that on its own says much about the rare sense of stability in the capital at present.Madrid finished last season with purpose, building themselves a platform in the process.And this time, they might use it.Follow @TimDCollins
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