At a glance
- Real Madrid lost a classic Champions League quarterfinal to Bayern Munich 6-4 on aggregate this week.
- A talented trio of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe are underfire while on the verge of another trophyless campaign.
- On social media, Bellingham promised Madridistas that “the good times will return”.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham promises Los Blancos fans that the “good times” will return following his team’s painful 6-4 Champions League quarterfinal aggregate loss to Bayern Munich.
Madrid put up a brave fight by leading Bayern 3-2 in second leg at the Allianz Arena and therefore tying 4-4 on aggregate.
In the end, however, a controversial red card for Eduardo Camavinga turned the tide when extra time appeared to be a certainty.
Luis Diaz and Michael Olise scored in quick succession for the home team, and Madrid therefore missed out on a semifinal date with Paris Saint-Germain as a consequence.
That elimination and FC Barcelona leading La Liga by nine points means Madrid are now looking down the barrel of a second consecutive trophyless season.
President Florentino Perez reportedly told the players in the Allianz locker room that this is unacceptable. And on Instagram, Bellingham admitted his side’s shortcomings.
Bellingham knows Real Madrid aren’t measuring up
On Instagram, Bellingham said that the Bayern effort “wasn’t enough”. “But we say goodbye with our heads held high. Madridistas, we know that we have disappointed you, but we always appreciate your support.
“The good times, which you deserve, will return. We have no choice but to finish this season as strong as possible. Hala Madrid!,” he promised.
How do Real Madrid get back on track?
On paper, Bellingham, Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. should be the most talented trio made up of an elite midfielder, winger and striker.
But as Vinicius telling the Englishman to “shut your mouth” during the Bayern loss demonstrates, there is a lack of harmony both personally and professionally.
If it’s Alvaro Arbeloa that continues in the dugout or someone that replaces him, the manager has to manage egos like Carlo Ancelotti but also have the discipline to make these superstars work.
Arbeloa’s predecessor Xabi Alonso tried this and reportedly received opposition. But while ever rivals such as Barcelona, Bayern and PSG are full of players that not only ooze talent but will make sacrifices for the team, Madrid will continue to come up short without a major cultural shift.
In Bellingham’s wildly successful debut 2023/2024 campaign that contained the La Liga and UCL crowns, the major difference was players like Luka Modric that do exactly that.
