Real Madrid commenced the 2024/25 season with high expectations, especially after an incredibly successful 2023/24 campaign that saw them clinch the Spanish Super Cup, Champions League and La Liga titles.
However, they have been abysmal this term, ravaged by inconsistency, below-average performances from several players and an unfortunate injury crisis that has depleted the team.
Madrid have underwhelmed, delivering embarrassing performances that dishonour the pearly whites of the club colours.
Vinicius Junior has been the shining star, as he continues to deliver stellar performances, but the team around him has crumbled. Englishman Jude Bellingham has failed to replicate last season’s form.
He netted 19 La Liga goals last term but has managed only two after 13 games.
Meanwhile, former Paris Saint Germain star Kylian Mbappe has become a shadow of himself in Madrid. After realising his dream transfer, things have turned sour.
His confidence has tanked, and he cannot find his scoring touch. The media has taken turns assassinating his confidence with their unflattering words.
Despite the dark cloud hanging over their season, Los Blancos fans will still fancy their side’s chances of landing the treble so Real Madrid tickets will likely remain a highly sought after commodity on Seatsnet.com.
La Liga
Real Madrid’s season has been riddled with inconsistency and serious questions are being raised about whether they can turn things around.
Currently, Madrid sit second on the La Liga table with nine wins (D3, L1), amassing thirty points from 13 games played so far, four points behind League leaders Barcelona.
The Catalan giants have been sensational since the start of the season having won eleven from their first fourteen Laliga games.
Despite being just four points behind table-toppers Barca and having a game in hand against Valencia, the journey to retaining the league title appears to be a steep hill for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
A closer look into the results from Madrid’s performances highlights their struggles on the pitch. A 1-1 draw with RCD Mallorca on the opening day was the wake-up call to a long season ahead.
Draws against UD Las Palmas and city rivals Atletico Madrid underlined their inconsistency. They have struggled with breaking down compact defences.
A humiliating 4-0 thrashing in the hands of rivals Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season exposed their defensive frailties that have persisted yet remained unsolved.
Other weaknesses were also exposed. They have struggled with progressing the ball and expanding play. They miss the influence of metronomic midfielder Toni Kroos.
Their injury situation also makes for grim reading. Ballon d’Or nominated right-back Dani Carvajal is out for the rest of the season.
Eder Militao also faces lengthy time on the sideline. The club has been waiting anxiously for David Alaba to bounce back after spending plenty of time on the treatment table.
Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Lucas Vazquez are sidelined with minor knocks. Rodrygo and Vinicius also had injury problems.
Summer signing Mbappe has failed to deliver the goods immediately, even though there are signs he will take off. At the moment, the former Monaco man struggles to adapt and find his rhythm.
With all these issues and given Barcelona’s consistent gun-blazing form and current momentum under manager Hansi Flick, the odds are heavily stacked against Los Blancos. It is hard to see Real Madrid winning the league.
Champions League
Madrid’s chances of success in the Champions League have been dented by their abysmal performances in the group stage.
They sit 24th on the UCL table with just six points from four games (W2, L2), including a 2-0 loss to Liverpool and Anfield on Wednesday night.
The record 15-time UCL champions were battered by Arne Slot’s men. The Premier League side looked sharper and played with clear ideas.
Before that, Madrid inexplicably lost to LOSC Lille. It could have been the same against Stuttgart, who had Los Blancos against the ropes for large portions of the game.
Their Champions League hopes are fading slowly as they are just one place away from the elimination zone.
The Spanish giants are inefficient and ineffective in attack, with massive loopholes in defence. It would be the mother of all miracles if they bounced back to win the title.
Ancelotti promised his team would be in the final in May at the Allianz Arena – it would be quite an achievement.
In addition to the injuries that have affected the team recently, Madrid lack a clear tactical approach to games and the necessary squad depth.
Ancelotti’s Style of play heavily relies on counterattacking, which has been very effective against teams that dominate possession and play a high-line defence. They have struggled against clubs that sit deep and relinquish the ball.
Madrid’s inability to break down compact defence is also a sign of a lack of creativity in the final third. The full-backs are not inventive, and the midfielders are not creating enough.
Furthermore, the Los Blancos bench has been deflating. They have failed to provide the needed impact when first-choice players underperform, forcing Ancelotti’ to continue with his off-form stars.
Madrid’s defence has been a problem this season. With injuries to their first-choice defenders like Alaba, Carvajal, and Militao, the team has conceded too many goals at crucial moments due to errors in communication and poor coordination in the rearguard.
With this run of poor form, injuries to key players, and lack of offensive and defensive cohesion, it seems impossible for the defending champion to retain their crown unless a drastic turnaround happens.
Can Madrid still compete for the treble?
Madrid’s odds of winning the treble is slim at best but they have a chance to salvage something from the season with the Copa Del Rey title still up for grabs. The club last won the cup in 2023 after defeating Osasuna 2-1 in the final in Seville.
With the injury problems and a depleted squad this season, Ancelotti might prioritise the Copa del Rey. They will likely come up against relatively easier opponents in the early rounds and should have enough for the deep knockout phase.
However, the hierarchy will likely not accept a cup trophy from this squad, which should deliver more.
The possibility of one trophy seems remote for Real Madrid – talk more of a treble – they will need to produce a remarkable sporting turnaround to finish this season with any piece of silverware.
They are slowly losing grasp of the UCL, and Barcelona’s form means they are favourites to win the league. The Copa del Rey might offer a chance of silverware, but any chance of a treble is slowly dissipating.
