He says that nothing is impossible and that it’s all a question of trying, but far from the ‘Mr. Wonderful’ mugs, the reality of Real Madrid points to something else. The Whites have been putting in the worst possible performances for weeks, compromising their chances of winning the league title, which now depends on what Barça do, who are 4 points ahead; and what is worse, they are facing a catastrophe in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
And the fact is that Real Madrid didn’t just lose at the Emirates, they were soundly beaten. Arsenal inflicted a 3-0 defeat on the Whites with two goals from Declan Rice from set pieces, something the player had never done before, and an unstoppable shot from Mikel Merino. A heavy blow that, on the other hand, was deserved.
Carlo Ancelotti‘s side gave a poor account of themselves, once again looking weak in defense, lacking a compass in the midfield and sterile up front where the attacking trident, mainly Vinicius and Mbappé, do not fit in. There are pieces of the puzzle missing and Real Madrid still do not know what it is to win in this month of April when the whole season is at stake.
Starting this weekend with the visit to Deportivo Alavés where winning is practically the only option if they are to have any chance of becoming champions, followed by the Champions League return leg, and ending with the Copa del Rey final, Real Madrid are playing for three titles in the coming weeks.
The first decisive match will be next Wednesday, April 16th at 9 p.m. at the Santiago Bernabéu when the Merengue team hosts Arsenal for the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. A duel in which the squad clings to the Santiago Bernabéu effect to achieve the miracle of a comeback.
Real Madrid ran the least in the quarterfinals
Without a doubt, a miracle is needed if the team is to play like they did in London. Ancelotti’s team covered 12.7 kilometers less than Arsenal at the Emirates. Compared to Flick’s team, the distance increases to 14.5 km. A figure that reflects the lack of commitment of a team that seemed not to be playing for anything.
According to official UEFA data, Ancelotti’s players covered 101.2 kilometers at the Emirates. Arteta’s, 113.9. A difference of 12.7 kilometers, the equivalent of running up and down the entire length of the Paseo de la Castellana. The Emirates match was the game in which Madrid ran the least this season: 6.3 kilometers less than the 107.5 that the team has been averaging.
This season the Whites’ players have tended to run less than their opponents, some 7.4 kilometers on average. The reigning Champions League champions only ran more than one other team in the Champions League and that was against Atalanta: 115.6 to 114.9.
Distances covered in the Champions League
- Inter: 125.3 km
- Bayern: 122 km
- Barça: 115.7 km.
- Arsenal: 113.9 km
- Dortmund: 111.8 km
- Aston Villa: 108.5 km
- PSG: 108.2 km
- Real Madrid: 101.2 km