Despite the defeat at Anfield, Real Madrid has faced more difficulties in La Liga during November than the entire Champions League. Carlo Ancelotti's team has dropped points in three consecutive games of the domestic league. Consequences could be long-term. However, the nature of the Champions League offers a different picture: There's still time for a comeback. In the knockout phase, all teams start from scratch.
In La Liga, losing points now is just as bad as losing points in April or May. Every matchday counts and the margin for error narrows as the season progresses. In Europe, the standings are reconfigured with the start of the knockout stages. This allows for a "reset" and grants new opportunities, regardless of what happened in the group stage.
Madrid's Situation in La Liga and the Champions League
Real Madrid is not leading in La Liga, but the performance is relatively positive. Despite the irregularity in their play and important absences, such as Kroos's, they are still one of the most solid teams in terms of points.
Even after an uncertain start to the season and some painful defeats, such as the one suffered in the Clásico against Barcelona, Madrid remains a strong candidate for the league title. Its ability to recover ground, despite the ups and downs, has been evident.
In the Champions League, the situation is more complex. The team is in a delicate position in its group, close to elimination, but still has a chance of qualifying for the repechage round.
A home win against Salzburg and some positive results in the upcoming away games could be enough to keep them alive in Europe. In this competition, bad times are not always decisive.
Key Players: Bellingham and the Doubts about Mbappé
Jude Bellingham has been one of Real Madrid's standout players at the start of the season. His performance has been crucial in keeping the team afloat in difficult times.
Despite the inconsistency of the Whites, the English midfielder remains the main offensive reference. In addition, his ability to lead in key moments has been one of the virtues of a team that hasn't yet reached its best level.
On the other hand, doubts about Mbappé persist. Despite being one of the big stars expected to sign for Madrid, his future remains unclear. This adds uncertainty to the project, although the presence of figures such as Bellingham remains a point of hope for Real Madrid fans.