Real Madrid’s Champions League Struggles: A Crisis or Just a Bump in the Road?
Even if Real Madrid aren’t in a full-blown disaster zone halfway through the revamped Champions League, there’s no denying that their current position is precarious—some might even say embarrassing. With a daunting Wednesday night clash against Liverpool at Anfield looming large, the reigning European champions find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Injuries have ravaged Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, and their vulnerabilities are on full display. Sitting midtable—18th, to be exact—and just two points above the relegation zone, this is uncharted territory for the Spanish giants.
Take a moment to think about it: can you recall a time when Real Madrid were midtable, 18th, or flirting with the relegation zone in any competition? Probably not. It’s a jarring sight for a club synonymous with dominance.
But let’s not hit the panic button just yet. There’s still time for Madrid to turn things around. Including the Anfield showdown, they have four games left to climb into a safer position, which would secure a playoff spot in the spring. Better yet, if they can claw their way into the top eight, they’ll earn automatic qualification for the quarterfinals. However, if they lose to Liverpool—a very real possibility—they could be overtaken by teams like Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, or Benfica. A slip further down the 36-team league table would make their situation even more dire.
Injury Woes Piling Up
Here’s the hard truth: despite a couple of recent domestic wins against lower-level teams, Real Madrid are heading to Anfield with a laundry list of problems. Their injury report reads like a who’s who of world-class talent: Éder Militão, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Rodrygo, and the irreplaceable Vinícius Júnior. That’s a staggering amount of talent sidelined.
Sure, Madrid still boast a squad that most clubs would envy, but losing so many key players at once is a massive blow. Last season, Ancelotti’s men overcame injuries to claim the Champions League crown, but they’ve never faced this level of attrition all at once. There is some good news, though: Thibaut Courtois is back in goal, which is a monumental boost. Rising star Jude Bellingham is regaining form, and Lucas Vázquez is fit enough to travel and potentially slot in at right-back.
Vinícius Júnior: The Missing Piece
Still, the absence of Vinícius Júnior is a crushing blow, especially against Liverpool. The Brazilian winger has been a constant thorn in the side of the Premier League giants, contributing seven goals and assists in recent encounters. This season alone, he’s racked up 20 goal contributions in just 18 appearances. His hamstring injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for Madrid.
Real Madrid’s record against Liverpool is stellar—they haven’t lost to the Reds in 15 years and have beaten them in two recent Champions League finals. But without Vinícius, replicating that success will be a tall order.
Florentino Perez’s Controversial Weekend
While Madrid’s players prepare for battle, club president Florentino Perez has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. During the club’s annual general meeting, Perez took aim at the Ballon d’Or voting process, claiming that Vinícius would have won if not for the “odd behavior” of nations like Uganda, Namibia, Albania, and Finland. His comments came off as dismissive and hypocritical, especially considering these same nations voted for Karim Benzema and Courtois in 2022 without any complaints from Perez.
Perez also used the meeting to push his beloved Super League project, claiming there’s growing support for it. He conveniently ignored the widespread backlash and humiliation the idea faced when it was first proposed. The irony? The type of marquee matchups Perez envisions for the Super League—like Madrid vs. Liverpool—are already happening in the Champions League. And right now, Madrid would probably prefer an easier opponent.
What’s Next for Madrid?
Wednesday’s clash at Anfield is a must-watch. Players like Courtois, Bellingham, and Federico Valverde will need to step up in a big way. A draw would be a solid result, but a loss could leave Madrid in a perilous position. For Perez, it would be a bitter pill to swallow—especially if his team falters in the very type of high-profile fixture he claims to crave.
Real Madrid are the undisputed kings of the Champions League, and their resilience is legendary. But if they stumble now, the backlash—both on and off the pitch—will be fierce. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
Originally Written by: Graham Hunter
