Real Madrid’s La Liga campaign is proving inconsistent. While their Champions League form is strong, they’ve dropped points in many away matches, currently sitting in third place. Controversial refereeing decisions and injuries have also impacted their performance.
Real Madrid‘s season is a tale of two halves. While their Champions League campaign is progressing smoothly, their domestic form has been inconsistent, leaving them battling for a top-three finish. Recent weeks have seen a significant swing in the La Liga title race, with Barcelona significantly closing the gap.
A combination of inconsistent performances, controversial refereeing decisions, and key injuries have hampered Real Madrid’s progress, leaving them currently in third place, according to the latest La Liga standings.
Real Madrid’s recent struggles can largely be attributed to their poor away form. Their match against Real Betis at the Benito Villamarín Stadium exemplified this, with Brahim Díaz opening the scoring only to see the lead disappear before halftime. Former Real Madrid player Isco then sealed a 2-1 victory for Betis with a second-half penalty.
Their away record is notably weaker compared to their home form, with Real Madrid dropping points in 8 of their 14 away matches – a concerning trend for their title aspirations. Their home form has been significantly stronger. They have only dropped points against Barcelona (a loss) and Atletico Madrid (a draw) at the Bernabéu.
Champions League success offers some relief
In stark contrast to their domestic woes, Real Madrid’s Champions League campaign has been stellar. Their recent victories include a commanding performance against Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16 first leg, securing a vital win with goals from Rodrygo and Brahim. Although Atletico’s Julian Alvarez scored a stunning goal, Real Madrid holds a significant advantage heading into the second leg.
This win marked their sixth consecutive victory in European competition, extending their unbeaten run in the Champions League since December. This includes wins against Atalanta, Salzburg, and Brest in the group stages, as well as both legs of their knockout stage tie against Manchester City. The team’s consistency in this competition is remarkable.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid recognizes the need to rejuvenate their squad, a strategy implemented across recent transfer windows. A key priority is strengthening the defense.
According to reports, Florentino Pérez is actively pursuing young central defenders, with several names linked to the club, including Joan Martínez, along with other promising young talents, such as Branthwaite (22), Konaté (25), Castello Lukeba (22), and William Saliba (23).
Young talent on the radar and “new Messi”
Real Madrid’s focus extends beyond established players; their interest in young prodigies is also evident. Reports suggest an interest in young talents such as Saba Kharebashvili, a 16-year-old left-back from Dinamo Tbilisi. The latest speculation connects them with a 14-year-old attacking player: JJ Gabriel.
The young talent is currently at Manchester United’s youth academy, having played with Cristiano Ronaldo‘s son. JJ Gabriel’s talent has earned recognition from Ronaldo himself, and his early promise has already seen him gain the nickname “Kid Messi” after a viral YouTube video . Various Premier League clubs are reportedly vying for his signature, but his Irish passport opens the door to interest from clubs across Europe, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich.
