Real Madrid's Franco Mastantuono looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Michaela Stach
(Reuters) - Real Madrid have some difficult soul-searching to do after a dramatic defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals left the 15-times European champions staring at the prospect of a second successive campaign without silverware.
The Champions League had represented Real's last realistic route to a trophy. Their LaLiga challenge has faltered, with the Madrid side trailing Barcelona by nine points with seven matches remaining.
Defeat by Bayern followed a shock Copa del Rey exit to second-tier Albacete in January and domestic stumbles that have drained momentum. When Real host Alaves in LaLiga on Tuesday, it will mark a month since they last won in any competition.
Barcelona, meanwhile, could clinch the title for a second straight year when they host Real at the Camp Nou on May 10 with three games to play, a twist that would compound the pain for their old rivals.
For Real to salvage the title, they would require a flawless finish and a collapse from Barca – an unlikely combination that underlines the scale of their predicament.
SCRUTINY INTENSIFIES
The season began unsteadily with the appointment of Xabi Alonso, who lasted six months before being replaced by former teammate Alvaro Arbeloa, promoted from his role with the second team in mid-January.
While performances have shown signs of improvement, results have not. President Florentino Perez must now decide whether that perceived progress, and a respectable showing against Bayern despite elimination, are sufficient to keep faith with the former defender.
Beyond the dugout, the squad also faces scrutiny. Supporters accustomed to extraordinary standards – forged by 15 European Cup triumphs, five of them in the past 12 years – are questioning the balance and depth of the team, as well as the broader sporting project.
Vinicius Jr's contractual situation adds another layer of uncertainty. His deal expires at the end of next season and negotiations have stalled, fuelling debate over his long-term future.
The Brazilian has also been at the centre of a tactical discussion over whether he and Kylian Mbappe can truly flourish together.
Reinforcements in defence and midfield appear high on the agenda, but those plans hinge on a broader strategic call: build around Mbappe as the focal point, or persist with a partnership that has yet to fully convince.
The coming weeks may not deliver a trophy, but they could define Real Madrid's direction.
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