ไทย
English
中國人
Real Madrid are enduring their worst stretch of form in seven years, casting a deeper shadow over what has already been a disappointing season.
The 15-time European champions have failed to win five of their last six matches across all competitions, dropping points in three La Liga games and suffering defeat in both Champions League quarterfinal legs against Bayern Munich.
The last time Los Blancos experienced such a poor run was back in the 2018–19 season. Yet even that campaign offered more to celebrate than the current one. Real Madrid still claimed the Club World Cup and advanced to the Copa del Rey semifinals despite navigating the fallout from Cristiano Ronaldo's exit.
The Spanish club managed only a third-place finish in La Liga that year, accumulating just 68 points from 38 games. Álvaro Arbeloa's side are on course to finish as runners-up this season, currently sitting on 74 points, but that is far from a consolation.
Low Effort Cost Real Madrid Potential Silverware
There are many factors behind Real Madrid's underwhelming campaign, but the dominant narrative in recent weeks has been their inability—and apparent indifference—to see out matches. The team has conceded stoppage-time goals in four of their last six fixtures:
Looking back even further, Los Blancos conceded a 90th-minute winner in their 2–1 defeat to Osasuna back in February.
The players in white appear far too relaxed and complacent toward the end of matches, relying on their goalkeeper to rescue them from poor defensive situations while simply waiting for the final whistle. That approach can work when Thibaut Courtois is in goal, but Andriy Lunin does not produce the same level of heroics.
Indeed, Real Madrid have kept just one clean sheet in their last 14 matches across all competitions. In La Liga, their last shutout came on Feb. 8. These defensive vulnerabilities have been central to the team's collapses in both La Liga and the Champions League.
Does the Answer to Real Madrid's Woes Lie in the Transfer Market?
When Real Madrid concluded 2018–19 without a major trophy, they bounced back the following season to win La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup. The intervening summer was marked by high-profile transfer activity, bringing in the likes of Éder Militão, Eden Hazard, Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy to the Spanish capital.
The 15-time European champions have comparable ambitions this summer, though their transfer activity may be less sweeping. The club are targeting a deep-lying playmaker and additional defensive cover as they prepare to say goodbye to David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and potentially Antonio Rüdiger, all of whom are out of contract at the season's end.
However, adding more big names and strong personalities to a dressing room already brimming with both may not be the answer to closing the gap on Barcelona while such obvious problems persist within the squad's core.
Certainly, recruiting a player with Rodri's qualities would bring greater balance and stability to the side, but would it suddenly help Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé click into gear together? Signing a new center-back would strengthen a shaky defense, but would it suddenly inspire Real Madrid's players to track back and contribute defensively?
The deep-seated problems at the Bernabéu will not vanish overnight with a handful of new signings—or even a new manager—next season. The responsibility ultimately rests with the current players to respond with renewed drive, concentration and attitude next season, or the club risks another campaign of underachievement.