Real Madrid's season ended in disappointment as they lost 2-0 to Barcelona, confirming a second consecutive trophy-less campaign for the most successful club in La Liga and Champions League history. The defeat at Camp Nou not only handed the title to their arch-rivals but also exposed deep-seated problems within the squad.
The arrival of Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain two seasons ago was supposed to herald a new era of 'galacticos'. However, his presence disrupted the 4-3-3 formation that had brought success under Carlo Ancelotti. Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior were forced to adapt their roles, leading to tactical confusion and internal friction.
Ancelotti was sacked mid-season, replaced by Xabi Alonso, who had impressed with Bayer Leverkusen. But Alonso's system failed to win over the players, and he was dismissed early in the new year. Interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa managed the team until the end of the season.
Mbappe became a target of fan anger, with a petition calling for his departure gathering over 33 million signatures. Vinicius endured a 19-game goal drought, sparking rumors of a potential exit, with Manchester United among the clubs linked. The Brazilian's future remains uncertain.
The crisis deepened when Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni clashed in training, resulting in Valverde suffering a head injury that will sideline him for weeks. Both players were fined, but Tchouameni started against Barcelona.
Real Madrid now faces the daunting task of finding a new permanent manager. Candidates include Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp, Julian Nagelsmann, Didier Deschamps, and Zinedine Zidane. Mourinho, who previously won La Liga with Real, is seen as a pragmatic option, while Klopp is renowned for building team spirit. Nagelsmann, currently with Germany, may be available after the 2026 World Cup.
The rebuilding process will be challenging. Integrating Mbappe, restoring harmony, and competing with financially powerful Premier League clubs and a resurgent Barcelona are just some of the hurdles. Real Madrid's fall from grace has been hard, but the club hopes to rise from the ashes.
Source: www.aljazeera.com