The Real Madrid idyll came to an end this season, which has been a mixed bag with more highs than lows and where the European debacle was on the cards from the early stages. With their elimination in the quarter-finals, the Whites missed out on a semi-final place they had reached 12 times in the last 15 years.
The last time Madrid failed to reach the penultimate round of the competition was in the 2019-2020 season when they were knocked out in the round of 16 by Manchester City. In the previous season, 18-19, they were also knocked out in the same round, this time by Ajax.
As we said, the quarter-final debacle against Arsenal was on the cards when the Whites lost three times in the Champions League group stage (against Lille, Milan, and Liverpool). Although it is true that in the extra tie against Manchester City, Real Madrid returned to its best form in big games, against Mikel Arteta’s side, they were at their worst, losing 5-1 on aggregate.
The first leg of that tie, played in London, was a real debacle, with two goals conceded from set pieces by Declan Rice and a thunderbolt from Mikel Merino. Beyond the terrible result, the defeat has cost the Whites more than expected. The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body has fined Real Madrid €15,000 for the racist behavior of the team’s fans during Ancelotti’s side’s match against Arsenal in London.
UEFA’s punishment does not end there, as they have decided to ban Real Madrid fans from buying tickets for the next UEFA competition match that Real Madrid plays away from the Bernabéu “due to racist behavior,” according to UEFA. However, this ban “is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year, starting from the date of this decision,” the UEFA statement said.
Back to shining in the Champions League
Beyond the defeat and the sanction, Real Madrid wants to wipe the slate clean and return to shining in the competition where it reigns supreme. The team has 15 Champions League titles in its trophy cabinet and, with the Ancelotti era now over, the most successful coach in the club’s history, the arrival of Xabi Alonso is expected to make the team competitive again and restore its glory in a competition where it has reached six finals in the last 12 years.