COMMENT: Los Blancos have been unconvincing of late - rocked by issues on and off the pitch - but it is Champions League nights that really get them going
How quickly things can change in football. The last time Real Madrid’s players stood to attention with the Champions League anthem blasting aloud, they were the unstoppable winning machine sweeping everyone aside with ease.
But it is with talk of injury crises, ill-timed birthday parties, squad disharmony and punishing domestic derby defeats ringing in their ears that they return to the business of attempting to retain their European title against Schalke on Wednesday.
The 4-0 victory over Ludogorets in December in their final Champions League group game was their 19th straight win since the European season had begun. They were hurtling towards a world record 100 per cent run, thriving in the atmosphere that a busy schedule provided.
Between mid-September and the winter break which followed their Club World Cup triumph in Morocco, the only midweeks during which Real Madrid didn’t play were taken up by international windows. The routine of appearing three times in seven days suited them down to the ground. With little time allowed for stewing on their achievements, they just kept going out and improving upon them.
But since the festive period stopped them in their tracks, Carlo Ancelotti’s side have found it hard to get going again. No longer the irresistible force of the European autumn, the change in seasons brought a huge change in fortunes for the Blancos.
Their 2015 began with a stunning defeat to Valencia which ended their winning streak at 22 games. This was swiftly followed by an exit from the Copa del Rey at the hands of local rivals Atletico Madrid. And while they have picked up five wins in six since their fixture list was shorn of regular midweek assignments, there just hasn’t been the same feeling around the camp.
Injuries haven’t helped. James Rodriguez, Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, Pepe, Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao have all been hit by various ailments of late, knocking the previously consistent first team squad out of its stride. But there has been controversy and recrimination off the pitch too.
When Cristiano Ronaldo’s birthday party hours after the 4-0 league drubbing at Atletico caused friction within the squad and produced negative headlines around the world, there was no Wednesday fixture to take the attention away. They were forced to sit and stew on it for a whole week, with no opportunity to appease the supporters until Deportivo La Coruna arrived in town seven days later.
Madrid legend Raul is not concerned by Real's dip in form, telling Goal: "Every season has its bad patches. Barcelona had one, but now you see them playing very well. It’s a process and I’m sure Real Madrid will compete and be in the fight in the end.”
This view was echoed by Ancelotti after his players were barracked in the opening moments of the Depor win.
“It’s normal for me or the team to be whistled,” the coach said. “It’s frustrating for everyone to lose a derby 4-0. But the reaction has been good and we’ve got a lead in the league and we’re playing well in the Champions League.”
And that they are. While they may not have stepped out against continental opponents for over two months, they have won nine on the trot in Europe. It is when the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s most famous work is belting out around a stadium that the Blancos really step up to the plate.
After a stuttering start to the calendar year, Real Madrid’s 2015 starts here
