A series of mistakes ruined Real Madrid. |
The Bernabeu has always been considered a place of magic. But on the morning of April 17th, that legendary stage helplessly watched Real Madrid plummet. The Madrid team lost 1-2 to Arsenal in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, thus being eliminated after two legs with an aggregate score of 1-5.
That night in Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti's team didn't lose because of bad luck, but because of a series of mistakes – from tactics and personnel to mental fortitude. And the saddest thing? Those mistakes seem to have been repeated far too often this season.
Their attack was disorganized, dreaming of a second goal even before scoring the first.
Real Madrid started the game at a high tempo, full of energy, as if a single goal would be enough to bring down Arsenal. But they were too hasty. The ball was constantly being pushed into the opponent's penalty area, even though it was clear that no one was capable of finishing like a true center forward.
Joselu was absent, and Mbappe – despite being a star player – wasn't a true "number 9." He wasn't in the right place at the right time to capitalize on attacking moves. Throughout the match, Real Madrid's attack played emotionally, lacked organization, and no one truly led the play.
"We were making too many long passes, but we didn't have a player like Joselu inside," goalkeeper Thibault Courtois shared. "Perhaps we should have reduced the number of those passes and experimented with other options. We need to be self-critical."
The Belgian star's comments exposed the biggest problem Real Madrid is facing. Notably, signs of cracks in "Los Blancos'" playing style appeared early on, and the defeat in the Champions League quarter-finals was simply an inevitable consequence.
Real Madrid were eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter-finals. |
For Real Madrid, the most worrying thing is not the deadlock, but Ancelotti's continued reliance on the ineffective attacking trio of Rodrygo, Mbappe, and Vinicius. This is a formula that has caused the club numerous problems this season.
Real Madrid's trio of Mbappe, Rodrygo, and Vinicius possess speed and technical skill. However, they lack a central attacking threat and the ability to capitalize on even the smallest opportunities – qualities that were once Real Madrid's trademark in the Champions League.
The statistics don't lie. The Spanish capital's representatives have lost many matches this season, and many of their wins have been due to moments of brilliance or luck, or more importantly, an effective system.
Against Arsenal, Raul Asencio's foul leading to the penalty was a stain on the game. As Real Madrid struggled to regain control, that moment of lapse in concentration nearly led to an early disaster.
Fortunately, Courtois remained a rare bright spot, making a world-class save – the only moment that offered a glimmer of hope. But even when hope was rekindled, it was quickly extinguished by… Real Madrid themselves.
The Bernabeu team lacks a clear plan. They don't know how to create enough pressure. And Real Madrid absolutely lacks a "spiritual leader" to guide the team through difficult times.
VAR and the controversial moment - but not the reason for the defeat.
One of the highlights of the match was the VAR intervention that led the referee to reverse the penalty awarded to Mbappe. This controversial decision angered the Bernabeu crowd, especially given the excessively long delay in reaching a verdict.
Vinicius's goal wasn't enough to help Real Madrid come from behind against Arsenal. |
But to be fair, Real Madrid didn't lose because of VAR. They lost because they barely created a single real threat to the opponent's goal in the first half. They lost because of themselves.
This defeat not only marks the end of their Champions League journey this season, but also serves as a wake-up call about a cycle that is gradually coming to an end. Real Madrid is no longer the team with the insatiable hunger for victory that once struck fear into the hearts of all of Europe.
Even Mbappe, who joined with the ambition of conquering the European Cup, had to helplessly watch his former team PSG advance to the semi-finals. Worse still, the French star suffered an injury, leaving his participation in the remainder of the 2024/25 season uncertain.
Before kick-off at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid fans were brimming with confidence for a comeback against Arsenal – despite their beloved team losing 0-3 in the first leg. They prepared a large banner with the words "The factory that produces dreams, where the impossible becomes reality."
Echoes of past miraculous comebacks fueled Real Madrid's belief that they could once again create something special. And while expectations were high at the Bernabeu, the iconic stadium could only sigh. Because miracles can't last forever if the team keeps repeating old mistakes, with the wrong decisions at the wrong time.
Source: https://znews.vn/real-madrid-sai-qua-nhieu-post1546526.html
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