Real Madrid are navigating turbulent waters after a humiliating defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah last weekend.
The 9-2 aggregate scoreline in this season’s Clasicos has thrown the club’s summer planning into question and raised concerns about Carlo Ancelotti’s leadership.
Despite showing promise in recent weeks, the team’s stability has been affected, leading to an urgent need to recover and prevent further damage. Fortunately, a relatively forgiving run of fixtures offers the reigning La Liga and Champions League champions a chance to bounce back ahead of the crucial derby against Atlético Madrid on February 9.
Over the next few weeks, Real Madrid will face matches against lower-tier La Liga teams, manageable Champions League opponents and Copa del Rey qualifiers. These games could help the team regain confidence and keep the season on track.
Their journey begins with three consecutive home games at the Santiago Bernabéu, starting with a Copa del Rey clash against Celta de Vigo. Although the Copa del Rey usually takes a backseat to Real Madrid’s priorities, this match offers a chance for redemption after the disappointment of the Super Cup.
Celta Vigo have proven to be a challenging opponent in the past, including Real Madrid’s elimination from the tournament in the 2016-17 season.
Next, they will visit UD Las Palmas for a La Liga match. Currently second in the League, one point behind Atlético, Real Madrid cannot afford to fail in their attempt to defend their title. Las Palmas managed a draw against Madrid in their previous meeting this season, adding extra pressure for the next match.
In the Champions League, Real Madrid faces Salzburg in a decisive group stage match. A recent victory over Atalanta rescued their hopes, but victory against Salzburg is essential to avoid a risky round of 32 tie that could overload their already busy schedule.
After these home games, Real Madrid will visit Valladolid, penultimate in La Liga but capable of testing the Madridistas, as seen in their previous match. The group stage concludes with a challenging trip to Brest, one of the surprises of this year’s Champions League.
Finally, Real Madrid will play against Espanyol in Cornellá, a historically favorable match but one that has significant weight since another slip could jeopardize the defense of the title.
This stretch gives Real Madrid the opportunity to stabilize and gain momentum ahead of the high-stakes derby against Atlético. However, a failure could deepen the club’s current crisis.