The 15-time European champion Real Madrid is in a surprising situation in the Champions League. Under the tournament’s current format, the squad is in 24th place after three losses in five games, including a 2-0 loss to Liverpool, and is in danger of missing the next round completely.
Only the top eight teams will automatically advance to the round of 16, and teams seeded nine through twenty-four will have to play in a two-leg playoff, according to the new regulations. Real, presently ranked 24th, is in serious danger of being eliminated from a league they have long controlled.
Real Madrid’s key players had a difficult game against Liverpool; Jude Bellingham acknowledged that the English team showed more tenacity, and Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty. According to critics, the holders’ current performance is “alarming,” since they have now dropped as many games this season as they have in their last 24 games combined.
In the Liverpool game, Kylian Mbappe, a high-profile acquisition, fell short of expectations. Steve McManaman, a former midfielder for Real Madrid, blasted Mbappe’s performance, claiming that he “flattered to deceive” and fell short when the club most needed him. He cautioned that another lackluster performance would not sit well with Madrid’s media.
There have been concerns over Mbappe’s ideal role alongside Vinicius Jr., which has made his absorption into the team difficult. Even when the Brazilian was sidelined by injury, Mbappe was unable to contribute much. Jude Bellingham, a comrade, backed him, pointing out that the loss wasn’t only due to the missed penalty and forecasting that Mbappe would soon provide the squad with significant moments.
Mbappe’s form is just one aspect of Real Madrid’s problems. One important player who hasn’t scored in this Champions League campaign is Jude Bellingham. Critics now wonder if the young English midfielder is living up to expectations after he previously complained about being used as a scapegoat in England’s Euro loss.
Injuries have exacerbated Real Madrid’s troubles. Eduardo Camavinga left the Liverpool match on suspicion of suffering a hamstring injury, as with Dani Carvajal, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr., Aurelien Tchouameni, David Alaba, and Eder Militao. This injury situation has seriously limited coach Carlo Ancelotti‘s choices.
Carlo Ancelotti is under increasing pressure because some people don’t think he can salvage the season. The Italian manager has been under public scrutiny despite prior achievements, such as the Champions League victory from the previous season. Some members of the team even question Ancelotti’s skills, according to Spanish football analyst Guillem Balague.
In response to criticism, Ancelotti has taken a defensive stance, claiming to have managed more than 1,300 games. Balague suggested that this statement, which reflected his internal concerns about his future with Real Madrid, was directed at the club’s leadership rather than the media.
Real Madrid is in an unprecedentedly vulnerable situation in the Champions League. The team runs the risk of missing the knockout stages for the first time in its history, despite the fact that the new format gives them some flexibility. The loss against Liverpool was the first time the Reds had defeated Real in eight meetings, including two finals.
Real Madrid’s performance has been deemed alarming by analysts. Rio Ferdinand, a former Manchester United defender, praised the team’s frightening football and said that players like Mbappe need to step up and show their value. Although he cautioned that time is running out, he said he was confident Mbappe would eventually deliver.
Real Madrid’s Champions League experience may still be crucial in spite of the difficulties. After Liverpool’s defeat, Ancelotti expressed his confidence that his squad would advance to the next round and play like they usually do. “We are going to go through,” was his word.
Given his high-profile transfer and great expectations, Mbappe’s move to Madrid continues to dominate news reports. Although the French forward has been under a lot of pressure, his colleagues and analysts think he still has the ability to perform well in pivotal situations.
Due to injuries, Real has had to start with lesser lineups, exposing gaps in their squad depth. Due to the disturbance of their rhythm brought on by the loss of key players, the team has found it difficult to maintain the fluidity that has defined their prior victories.
The great expectations of Real Madrid and their inability to tolerate poor performance have increased pressure on Ancelotti. The manager’s future at the club may depend on how well he handles this difficult time as both internal and external criticism keep growing.
Real Madrid’s status as the top Champions League squad has been questioned. Their difficulties this season cast doubt on their capacity to adjust to the new structure of the competition and continue to rule.
Critics have pointed to the team’s tactical and psychological issues. Mbappe’s poor absorption and Bellingham’s inconsistent play show that Real Madrid’s issues extend beyond injuries and individual mistakes.
As the Champions League group stage comes to an end, Real Madrid must unite to avoid an ignominious exit. With their legacy at stake, the team’s players and coaching staff are under intense pressure to turn things around and regain their dominance in Europe.
