For Carlo Ancelotti, making the 2-1 from Bernabéu count tonight in his round of 16 clash against Atlético is a matter of survival.
Soccer has no memory nor does it give credit to those who have won everything many times, as is the case with Ancelotti.
At 65 years old, he is in his fourth season at Real Madrid, sixth if we add the two years of his first stint. It will be the Champions League, which he has won five times, three with Real Madrid, that will determine his future.
Anything short of advancing past the round of 16 tonight against Atlético will question his future at the helm of Real Madrid.
Auf Wiedersehen to Bayer Leverkusen
In fact, the club has been quietly working on his replacement for months. But as long as the results are favorable, Carletto will remain on the bench at Bernabéu.
Florentino is disappointed with the season that a team, which with the addition of Mbappé, should be invincible. It is not.
In the command post, there is a reasonable doubt as to whether Ancelotti has already completed his cycle as Real Madrid's coach and his age suggests a replacement.
The identity of the substitute is no secret to anyone. Xabi Alonso is waiting for news from Leverkusen to say auf wiedersehen and return to what is his home.
Alonso generates unanimous support around him. Florentino and his trusted men have already had several contacts with him.
Ancelotti's Future Depends on La Decimosexta
Ancelotti knows what is at stake tonight, hence he has asked his men for extra effort against Atlético. Florentino would not accept not hearing the Champions League anthem at Bernabéu and facing a KO in the round of 16.
In fact, Florentino Pérez has already decided. The only chance Ancelotti has to remain on the bench at Bernabéu is by winning the Champions League again.
Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso, knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich, is waiting for news from Madrid. His contract with Bayer Leverkusen, which expires in 2026, would not be an obstacle to flying to the capital of Spain.
At Real Madrid, they remain silent. An elimination at the hands of Atlético is not considered, and for now, Carlo Ancelotti has the confidence of the command post... until the results suggest otherwise.