“Old Wolf” Ancelotti, Real Madrid and the Fateful April Game
In April, Real Madrid stood at a crossroads. This moment was like a life-or-death game that would decide the entire season of the team that once dominated Europe.
Real Madrid’s three goals against Arsenal
For the “old wolf” Carlo Ancelotti, this is the time for him to prove that he is still a talented driver, or must bow his head before the wheel of time.
What Are the Chances Of Toppling Arsenal?
The 0-3 defeat to Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on 8/4/2025 was a blow to Real Madrid’s pride. They walked out of the Emirates Stadium as defending champions, but left with the haggard image of a defeated team. They lacked vitality, just as Ancelotti had warned at the beginning of the season: “We need energy!”.
Real’s defense was in ruins, Tchouaméni played like a lost soul in the center back position, Lucas Vázquez was constantly passed by the opponent. The attack was worse, Mbappé, Vinicius, Rodrygo did not coordinate, did not create any significant opportunities. Two classy free kicks from Declan Rice and an own goal sank Real into a nightmare.
Real Madrid’s current situation is very chaotic. Injuries have tormented the team as Carvajal and Militao are out for a long time, Alaba has not regained his form, and Rudiger has to grit his teeth and play despite minor pain. The team’s spirit has plummeted after painful defeats against Barcelona and Valencia.
Real Madrid Comprehensively Lost To Arsenal In The First Leg of the C1 Cup Quarter-finals
The hard-fought 1-0 win over Alaves on 13/4/2025 further exposed the problem, with Mbappé sent off for a rough tackle, a sign of a star losing control.
The team’s internal turmoil began. Bellingham argued with his teammates, Vinicius criticized the general style of play, while Ancelotti admitted he was having trouble controlling the dressing room.
The return leg at the Bernabeu at 2am, 17/4/2025 is the last ray of hope. Real still has the right to decide, but a 3-goal comeback against Arsenal is an extremely difficult task.
The Bernabéu has witnessed miracles such as when Real defeated PSG in 2022, or crushed Chelsea in 2018. But the current squad lacks cohesion and character.
Ancelotti needs to do what he did so well: lift the spirit, find a breakthrough tactic and awaken the killer instinct of the stars.
If they fail, the Champions League dream, where Real Madrid won 5 titles in the past decade, will go up in smoke and push “old wolf” Ancelotti into danger.
Real Madrid Are In Deep Trouble
The 2-5 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup in January 2025 was the first blow. Mbappé scored early, but Real collapsed under the speed of Raphinha, the sharpness of Lewandowski and the young talent Lamine Yamal.
The defense conceded 5 goals, something never seen in a final under Ancelotti. The Italian coach bitterly admitted: “We didn’t play football, we just stood there watching the opponent”. The defeat not only took away the chance to win the title but also shook the faith of the fans.
Before that, a more painful blow came in the El Clasico match in LaLiga on 26/10/2024. Real suffered a 0-4 defeat at the Bernabéu, their heaviest home defeat to Barcelona since 2009. Lewandowski scored twice, Raphinha and Yamal each scored one. In contrast, Real Madrid did not have a shot on target in the second half.
The match ended Real’s 42-match unbeaten streak in LaLiga, causing fans to turn away, while Ancelotti was criticized for his lack of ideas. The team’s spirit hit rock bottom, as the Spanish press described it: “Real Madrid lost their soul.”
Coach Ancelotti’s Team Is Facing The Risk of Going Empty-handed On All Fronts This Season
The 1-0 win over Alaves in La Liga round 31 on 13 April 2025 did not bring much hope. Real played with 10 men after Mbappe was sent off for a dangerous tackle. Vinicius’s only goal did not hide the tension in the team.
Bellingham was irritable, Rodrygo was lost, and Ancelotti admitted: “We are trying to stay calm, but it is not easy.” This victory was just a fragile shell to cover up the growing cracks.
The schedule is also what makes Real more confused. Of the 8 Champions League quarter-finalists, only Real have to play LaLiga on Sunday (13 April) before the second leg on Wednesday (16 April).
Arsenal and 6 other teams play on Saturday, with an extra 24 hours of rest. PSG even had their Ligue 1 match postponed to focus on Europe. In contrast, Real Madrid have to stretch their muscles against Alaves right before the big match with Arsenal.
This season, Real Madrid have played Champions League matches on Wednesdays seven times, but La Liga matches have been scheduled on Saturdays only twice.
This disadvantage not only exhausts the team, but also makes it difficult for Ancelotti to prepare tactically. In other words, he is being forced into a situation that is no different from going into the ring with “a bruised arm”.
The “Ghost” Of Empty-handedness Has Appeared
In La Liga, Real Madrid are in a passive position. After 31 rounds, they are 4 points behind Barcelona with only 7 matches left in the season.
The 1-2 loss to Valencia on April 5, 2025 was the last straw. Vinicius missed a penalty, the defense conceded a goal in injury time.
Meanwhile, Barcelona played steadily like a machine. Lewandowski scored 18 goals, Raphinha exploded with 10 assists, and the defense only conceded 15 goals, the best in the league.
There is almost no chance of Barca slipping up when they have only lost 2 matches since the beginning of the season. The El Clasico match on May 11, 2025 at Nou Camp could be the end of Real’s championship hopes.
Real Madrid is currently too dependent on Vinicius (8 goals, 7 assists) and Mbappe (10 goals), but the attack lacks coordination. The defense, with only Rudiger as a healthy center-back, has conceded 25 goals – worse than Atlético (22 goals).
Real Madrid’s Invincible Machine Name Has Been Broken
The loss of Kroos, who used to be the “brain” of the team, has left Real Madrid unable to control the game.
Ancelotti tried to push Camavinga and Tchouameni into the middle, but no one could replace Kroos.
Draws like the 3-3 draw with Rayo Vallecano, or the 1-2 loss to Athletic Bilbao show that Real is no longer the unbeaten machine that once terrified all opponents.
Looking further, Real Madrid dominated Europe with 5 Champions Leagues from 2014 to 2024, a feat that no other club can match.
That dominance has made them a thorn in the side of many people. Is there a force trying to block Real from achieving too many achievements, to make the tournament more attractive, to have more forces “share the fertile cake” in the Champions League?
Unfavorable Match Schedule For Real
Real’s schedule is disadvantageous, they are playing on Sundays continuously, with less rest than other teams. Some fans even doubt the referee, like the controversial penalty in the loss to Valencia.
But looking at the truth, Real “digs a hole” for themselves. They made a mistake in the transfer, recruiting Mbappe, but ignoring defenders and midfielders after losing Kroos and Nacho.
The continuous injuries of Carvajal, Militao, Alaba are the result of a lack of vision. If there is a conspiracy, then Real’s complacency is the biggest enemy.
The risk of going home empty-handed is more obvious than ever. In the Champions League, a defeat to Arsenal could end the dream of defending the throne. In La Liga, the chance of winning the championship is gradually fading.
Even though they are in the final of the King’s Cup, the challenge is still huge for “Los Blancos” when facing Barcelona, a team that is superior to Real in every aspect.
Real Madrid are in danger of ending the season without a trophy, something that has not happened since 2009/10.
Ancelotti, with 15 trophies with Real, is on the precipice: either create a miracle, or leave the Bernabeu in disgrace. This April will decide everything…
