With three losses in five matches, the team now confronts a challenging path to secure qualification for the next stage of the Champions League.
Real Madrid, the 15-time European champions, finds itself in an unexpected position.
After suffering a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday, the Spanish giants now sit 24th in the table, facing significant challenges in a tournament where they have historically excelled.
The revamped competition advances to the last 16, the top eight from ninth through 24th place advance to the previous 16, while those ranked ninth to 24th will enter a two-legged play-off to vie for advancement.
The reigning champions are in 24th place and face the possibility of failing to advance to the next stage.
Superstars Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham struggled to impact the match, highlighted by Mbappe’s missed penalty. This encapsulated a challenging evening for the defending champions.
England midfielder Bellingham acknowledged that Liverpool appeared “more up for it” than his team, while analysts expressed concern over Real’s current performances, describing them as “alarming.”
Real Madrid finds itself in a troubling position, having suffered three defeats in just five Champions League matches—matching the total losses from their previous 24 games. This raises the question: What is going wrong for the storied club? Is it possible for them to be removed from the competition that has become their hallmark?
Mbappe has been described as ‘flattered to deceive.’
The transfer of Mbappe to Real Madrid has captured significant media attention since its inception.
The months of speculation surrounding the situation, Paris St-Germain’s decision to release him without a transfer fee, the staggering salaries involved, and the immense hype and anticipation have all contributed to a compelling narrative.
The French forward is currently facing challenges in adapting to a squad filled with superstars.
“Tonight, we have yet to witness the full potential of Mbappe,” remarked former Real midfielder Steve McManaman during his commentary on TNT Sports.
“Mbappe was expected to shine tonight, yet he ultimately fell short of expectations.” The media in Madrid is expected to be unforgiving, as he failed to perform once more at a critical moment.
Madrid is currently experiencing a challenging period, with key players failing to deliver their expected performances. The surrounding controversies regarding Mbappe amplify the situation. This year, they are facing significant challenges.
Kylian Mbappe continues to struggle to find his rhythm, raising questions about his role on the team and the challenge of optimizing his and Vinicius Jr.’s performance, who occupies a similar position.
With Vinicius Jr. sidelined due to injury, Mbappe was unable to significantly impact the match. His teammates continue to express confidence in his ability to deliver results.
Bellingham remarked, “Kylian is a wonderful player, but the pressure is immense.”
The penalty was not the reason for our defeat in the game. Kylian can hold his head high, and there is confidence that he will deliver numerous significant moments for this club.
