Real Madrid received a sharp wake-up call with their 2-1 defeat to Valencia, which may have dented their title hopes. Despite this, it still takes a lot of courage to bet against Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who have built a reputation for pulling off miraculous comebacks. After their dramatic 4-4 draw with Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey, Ancelotti was asked if there was ever a moment when he feared for their chances. His response was no, reasoning that anything could happen, but this mindset may have backfired as Valencia inflicted a painful blow to their season just days later.
On Saturday, Madrid fell behind 1-0 to Valencia at the Santiago Bernabéu, and although Vinícius Júnior equalized early in the second half, the pressure seemed to mount. As the match wore on, Madrid’s comeback appeared inevitable, but in the dying seconds of injury time, Hugo Duro’s header sealed the victory for Valencia, leaving Madrid four points behind Barcelona with only eight games remaining. This was Madrid’s fifth league defeat of the season, and although Ancelotti acknowledged that it wasn’t the same as the others, several issues were evident. Vinícius missed a penalty, and Valencia’s goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made several crucial saves. Madrid had an xG of 3.16 to Valencia’s 0.46, highlighting how often they fail to capitalize on opportunities. They conceded two goals from just three shots on target, a concerning trend.
Madrid’s defensive vulnerabilities have been exposed throughout the season, particularly at home. In the past week alone, they conceded eight goals against Leganés, Real Sociedad, and Valencia. The defensive lineup has been in flux, and although the return of key players against Arsenal may help, the deeper problem remains. In their two encounters with Barcelona this season, they conceded nine goals, showing their defensive frailties against top-tier opposition.
Ancelotti’s team has often relied on luck and last-minute heroics, but those odds are beginning to run out. In the Copa del Rey, they needed extra time to overcome Celta Vigo and a youth team’s last-minute goal to knock out Leganés. In the Champions League, they progressed past Atlético Madrid on penalties after a dramatic and improbable finish. This reliance on fine margins has been a double-edged sword, as while it creates unforgettable moments, it also exposes the team’s flaws, particularly a lack of consistency.
Madrid’s vulnerability was evident not only in their defensive issues but also in their lack of intensity. In recent games, even their comebacks felt forced. Against Real Sociedad, there was growing frustration among the fans, with some whistling at the players, sensing that the team wasn’t putting in the required effort until they were under pressure. This mentality, which sees the players only raise their game when faced with jeopardy, has raised questions about their overall attitude and approach to matches.
Despite Ancelotti’s optimism, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Madrid’s problems run deeper than simple attitude adjustments. Injuries, fatigue, and a lack of a midfield leader have hindered their performance. Furthermore, their overall play this season has been underwhelming, with the only truly impressive performance coming in their tie with Manchester City. Madrid’s lack of dominance in matches suggests that the problems facing the team are systemic and not easily solvable with a change in mindset alone.
Ancelotti’s assertion that “now the season starts for real” after the Sociedad match might have been premature. If Madrid lose their upcoming clash in London against Arsenal, the team will be facing even more pressure. While the comeback mentality has served them well in the past, it may not be enough to secure another dramatic turnaround. The treble is still within reach, but time is running out, and Madrid will need to address their weaknesses quickly to stay in contention.
