‘Mbappe fell flat when needed’ – why Real Madrid are in trouble
Three losses in five games and facing an uphill task to qualify for the next phase of the Champions League.
That is not a position 15-time European champions Real Madrid expected to be in.
Sitting 24th in the table following a 2-0 defeat by Liverpool on Wednesday, the Spanish giants find themselves in big trouble in the tournament in which they have long been heralded masters.
In the competition’s new format, the top eight teams automatically reach the last-16 while those in ninth-24th move into a two-legged play-off.
The defending champions are currently 24th and face the genuine prospect of not reaching the next phase.
Superstars Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham had little influence on the game, with the former’s penalty miss summing up a torrid night for the holders.
England midfielder Bellingham said Liverpool were “more up for it” than his side while pundits said Real’s current performances are “alarming”.
With three losses in their five Champions League matches, as many as in their previous 24 games, what is going wrong for Real Madrid? Could they really be eliminated from the competition they have become so synonymous with?
