Real Madrid, a club long associated with Champions League supremacy, hit an unprecedented low on Wednesday after suffering a 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield. This defeat, part of a disastrous season for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, marked an unwelcome milestone in the club’s illustrious history. Known for setting the standard in European football, the Spanish giants now face an unsettling reality: they have lost three group-stage matches in a single Champions League campaign for the first time ever.
Currently ranked 24th in the Champions League standings, with only two wins from five matches, Real Madrid’s hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds are hanging by a thread. This season has been a sharp contrast to their usual dominance, with setbacks coming thick and fast. The troubles began in October with a surprising 2-1 loss to Lille at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium, ending their undefeated run in the competition since May 2023. Lille’s victory shattered Madrid’s previously invincible image in Europe, signaling the start of a challenging campaign.
Weeks later, Los Blancos faced another heavy blow when AC Milan triumphed 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, raising serious concerns about the team’s defensive weaknesses and their inability to cope with high-pressure situations. These consecutive losses in the group stage, an area where Real Madrid typically excels, pointed to deeper issues within the squad.
The latest chapter of this troubled campaign unfolded at Anfield, where Liverpool produced a clinical 2-0 win. Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah sealed the victory, leaving Madrid on the brink of elimination. For Liverpool, the result was historic, marking their first Champions League win over Real Madrid since 2009, ending an eight-match winless streak against the Spanish club.
For Ancelotti, the defeat was more than just a tactical failure; it served as a painful reminder of how far his team has fallen from its usual high standards. The Italian manager is now under increasing pressure to reverse the team’s decline, with their position in the competition becoming ever more precarious. Sitting 24th, the last spot for the round of 16 play-offs, Madrid has little room for error.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s win further solidified their status as one of Europe’s most formidable teams this season, keeping them at the top of the group and exorcising the ghosts of previous encounters with Madrid. For Real Madrid, however, the loss is a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. A dramatic turnaround is needed for redemption, but for now, this Champions League campaign is shaping up to be one of their most forgettable in recent memory.
