The 2008-09 campaign was a turbulent season of two halves for Real Madrid as Los Blancos secured a strong 2nd-place finish in La Liga, winning the Supercopa de España. The year was defined by a mid-season managerial change, with Bernd Schuster replaced by Juande Ramos in December, and a thrilling yet ultimately futile resurgence. Spearheading the charge was the prolific young forward Gonzalo Higuaín, whose 22 league goals anchored a side that also featured the electric winger Arjen Robben and club icon Sergio Ramos, though their efforts were overshadowed by a dominant Barcelona side.