Real Madrid is going through its worst moment of the season after being defeated this Sunday by Celta at the Santiago Bernabéu (0-2). Xabi Alonso's team, which just a month ago celebrated its victory in El Clásico and a five-point lead over Barça, has now suffered four setbacks in the last five matchdays. The situation has taken a complete turn: now the whites are four points behind the azulgrana team
Real Madrid collapses: fourth slip-up in five matchdays and now four points behind Barça. Madrid has lost 9 of the last 18 available points and has gone from looking down on Barça to watching how the yellow submarine, Villarreal, could even snatch second place in LaLiga if they win their pending match. The dynamic is worrying and in the white camp, they are already openly talking about a sporting crisis.
From +5 to -4: Madrid's collapse since El Clásico
After matchday 10, Real Madrid emerged from the Clásico strengthened, defeating Barça 2-1 and establishing a +5 point cushion at the top of the standings. It was the moment of greatest euphoria for Xabi Alonso's team.
However, since then, results have plummeted abruptly. These have been the key days of the collapse:
J10: Real Madrid 2-1 FC Barcelona
Madrid takes the lead with a 5-point advantage over Barça. It seemed like the start of a solid and stable era in the championship.
J11: Real Madrid 4-0 Valencia
The white team maintains its lead. Barça also wins (3-1 in Elche), so the difference remains +5.
J12: Rayo Vallecano 0-0 Real Madrid
First slip-up. The draw in Vallecas reduces the lead to +3, as Barça beats Celta in Balaídos (2-4)
J13: Elche 2-2 Real Madrid
Second consecutive draw. Madrid now only has a +1 lead over Barça, who are winning 4-0 against Athletic Club
J14: Girona 1-1 Real Madrid
Third consecutive stumble. Madrid definitively loses the lead and falls to -1 after Barça's victory against Alavés (3-1)
J19*: Athletic Club 0-3 Real Madrid
Solid victory at San Mamés in a match brought forward due to the Super Cup. Madrid remains at -1, with Barça defeating Atlético de Madrid (3-1)
MD15: Real Madrid 0-2 Celta
A new blow. Celta assaults the Bernabéu with clarity and leaves Madrid at -4 from Barça, who for their part win 3-5 on Betis's field.
With this latest defeat, Real Madrid remains stuck at 36 points, while Barcelona reaches 40. Villarreal, with a game in hand, has 35 and could overtake the Whites if they win their postponed match.
A Madrid Lacking Consistency and Showing Signs of Exhaustion
Xabi Alonso's team has lost the solidity that had characterized it in the early matchdays. The lack of continuity in play, the drop in performance of some key players, and defensive fragility have generated a worrying context for a team that aspired to dominate LaLigaThe most striking statistic is the loss of points: 9 out of the last 18. Four games without a win is unsustainable for a club that demands excellence from itself. Furthermore, the defeat against Celta sends an alarming message, especially considering it occurred at the Bernabéu and against a rival fighting to escape the lower reaches of the table
The calendar tightens: Alavés, Barça, and Villarreal in a fierce battle for the top
The next matchday could mark a new turn. On matchday 16 of LaLiga, Madrid will visit Mendizorroza to face Alavés, an always uncomfortable opponent at home. Barça, for its part, will host Osasuna at the Camp Nou, while Villarreal will face Levante away.
The scenario presents a real possibility: if Madrid stumbles again and Villarreal gets three points, the white team could fall to third place. An unthinkable image just a month ago, when they were proclaimed sole leaders.
Xabi Alonso's Bench, on Thin Ice
The drop in results has set off all alarms within the white board of directors. Although the commitment to Xabi Alonso has been firm since his arrival, competitive fatigue, loss of leadership, and lack of reaction in key moments have placed his future under review.
Various sources close to the club indicate that another slip-up could lead to a drastic decision: the possible dismissal of the coach. The relationship between results and expectations is evident: Madrid demanded to fight for everything, and now sees LaLiga slipping away without even reaching the halfway point of the competition.
Barça Consolidates Comeback in LaLiga
Meanwhile, FC Barcelona continues its upward progression. Hansi Flick's team has taken advantage of every slip-up by the Whites to climb to the top and open a gap that seemed unimaginable weeks ago. The victories against Celta, Athletic, Atlético, Alavés, and Betis have consolidated a competitive, effective, and confident blockWith a favorable short-term calendar and an upward trend in performance, Barça faces the upcoming matchdays with the opportunity to further extend their lead if Madrid fails to halt their decline
In a matter of weeks, Real Madrid has gone from leading LaLiga with authority to seeing its pursuit of Barça and its own internal stability compromised. The numbers are clear: four slip-ups in five matchdays, nine points lost, and a growing distance from the leader. The visit to Mendizorroza presents itself as a decisive test for Xabi Alonso and for the immediate future of the white team.