Real Madrid, a club synonymous with Champions League dominance, experienced an unprecedented low on Wednesday night after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. This result, in what has been a woeful campaign for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, etched an unwanted record into the club’s storied history. The Spanish giants, who are accustomed to setting benchmarks of success in European football, now find themselves grappling with an alarming reality: they have lost three group-stage matches in a single Champions League campaign for the first time ever.
Sitting 24th in the Champions League standings with just two wins out of a possible five, Real Madrid’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages hang by a thread. This season has been a far cry from their usual dominance, as setbacks have piled up in rapid succession. The struggles began in October when Madrid suffered a shocking 2-1 defeat against Lille at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium, marking their first loss in the competition since May 2023. The Ligue 1 side’s triumph was a reminder that Madrid’s aura of invincibility in Europe could be pierced, setting the tone for a challenging campaign.
A few weeks later, Los Blancos faced another blow as AC Milan handed them a resounding defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu. The 3-1 scoreline not only left the home crowd stunned but also raised serious questions about the team’s defensive vulnerabilities and inability to adapt to high-pressure situations. These back-to-back setbacks in the group stage, an area where Real Madrid usually excel, hinted at deeper issues within the squad.
The latest chapter in this turbulent campaign unfolded at Anfield, where Premier League leaders Liverpool delivered a clinical performance to secure a 2-0 victory. Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah sealed the win, leaving Madrid teetering on the edge of elimination. Liverpool’s triumph was historic in its own right, as it marked their first Champions League victory over Real Madrid since 2009, ending an eight-game winless streak against the Spanish club.
For Ancelotti, the defeat was more than just a tactical setback; it was a painful reminder of how far his team has fallen from their usual standards. The Italian manager now faces mounting pressure to reverse this downward spiral, with the team’s position in the competition growing increasingly precarious. Currently occupying 24th place, which is the final spot for the round of 16 play-offs, Madrid’s margin for error is razor-thin.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s victory reinforced their credentials as one of Europe’s in-form teams this season. Their comprehensive performance not only solidified their position at the top of the group but also exorcised the ghosts of past encounters with Madrid. For Real Madrid, however, the loss is a stark warning of the challenges that lie ahead. The road to redemption will require a dramatic turnaround, but for now, this Champions League campaign is shaping up to be one of their most forgettable in recent memory.