Under pressure for several weeks, Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid is breathing new life following the return from the FIFA international break. Ahead of Liverpool, the unexpected defeat of FC Barcelona has come as a huge boost for the Madrid camp.
What a season! Struggling since a bitter defeat against Lille in the Champions League last September, the Madrid side has suffered two other blows in recent weeks: a heavy loss against Barça in El Clásico (4-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu) and a 3-1 defeat to AC Milan. Trailing their Catalan rivals by seven points after these difficult matches, Real Madrid was under immense pressure.
Barça’s unexpected missteps
Although Carlo Ancelotti managed to secure his position before the last international break with a 4-0 victory against Osasuna, Barça ultimately made things easier. Indeed, while Hansi Flick’s team was seen as untouchable, unstoppable, and uncompromising after the lesson handed to the Madrid team in front of their fans at the Bernabéu, things took a bitter turn. While Vinícius Júnior and his teammates were thrashing Osasuna despite several injuries, Barça surprisingly lost 1-0 away to Sociedad.
Having closed the gap to four points behind the Catalans with a game in hand (likely to be played in January against Valencia), Real Madrid, who are set to travel to Leganés this Sunday, witnessed another setback for their rivals. Still missing their young gem Lamine Yamal due to injury, Hansi Flick’s side, undone by a monumental blunder from Jules Koundé, dropped two more points on Celta Vigo’s pitch this Saturday in the 14th round of La Liga. Leading 2-0 by the 61st minute, the Catalans were pegged back in just three minutes, between the 84th and 86th, by the Vigo team.
The confidence shifts sides
While frustrations mount on the Catalan side after this latest draw, which provisionally brings Real Madrid to within a point of the top spot if they win their two games in hand, the confidence has clearly shifted. Vilified just days ago, Carlo Ancelotti’s squad now sees an opportunity to claw their way back and hope for another setback from Flick’s side, who had been deemed unstoppable this season.
With Thibaut Courtois back in goal — under whom Real Madrid has not lost a single match since last year — Carlo Ancelotti has the chance to silence critics in the coming weeks. Known as a master of comebacks, the Madrid coach can head to Liverpool with great confidence, especially with a commanding win against Leganés. It must be said, the season is long, and given the current situation, Real Madrid clearly has every chance to claim the title once again.
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