Mbappé's Struggles and Real Madrid's Crisis: Why the Champions Are in Danger of Champions League Elimination

Mbappé's Struggles and Real Madrid’s Champions League Crisis: What's Going Wrong?"

Real Madrid's road to the knockout stages of the Champions League has hit a significant bump. After a 2-0 loss to Liverpool, the defending champions find themselves in a precarious position. Sitting 24th in the group standings, Real Madrid are facing an uphill battle just to qualify for the knockout phase in a competition they've long dominated. The pressure is mounting on players like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, and questions are being raised about whether Carlo Ancelotti can turn things around.

A Difficult Night for Mbappé and Bellingham

For all the hype surrounding Kylian Mbappé's big-money move to Real Madrid, the French forward’s performance on Wednesday night only added to the growing list of concerns for the Spanish giants. Mbappé missed a crucial penalty, and his overall contribution was disappointing, with former Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman criticizing his lack of impact when the team needed him most.

"Tonight, we didn’t see the best of Mbappé," McManaman said. "Real Madrid needed him, but he flattered to deceive." With the weight of expectation on Mbappé’s shoulders, this underwhelming performance only magnifies the pressure on the entire squad.

Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham, who had been one of Real’s standout performers this season, also struggled. He hasn’t found the back of the net in this year's Champions League campaign and was notably off his game against Liverpool. The young England international admitted that he felt he had been unfairly blamed during the Euros and is now facing growing scrutiny at club level.

Injuries Pile Up: Real's Struggles Deepen

Injuries are another significant issue for Carlo Ancelotti and his squad. Eduardo Camavinga was forced off the pitch with a hamstring injury, joining several other key players—including Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and Aurelien Tchouameni—on the injury list. With so many absences, Real Madrid's already patchy form is further compromised, and Ancelotti is finding it increasingly difficult to field a fully fit, cohesive team.

Ancelotti Under Pressure: Is He the Right Man for the Job?

Despite guiding the team to a La Liga and Champions League double last season, Carlo Ancelotti is now facing growing criticism. In a recent press conference, he made it clear that he’s frustrated by the doubts surrounding his position, saying, "No one can give me advice about substitutions—I have managed 1,300 games, compiled 1,300 line-ups, and made more than 4,000 substitutions." Spanish football expert Guillem Balague suggests this comment was directed not just at the press but at Real Madrid’s higher-ups, who are beginning to question whether Ancelotti is the right man to lead the club through this difficult patch.

While Ancelotti’s leadership has brought success in the past, the stakes are high at Real Madrid, and the club’s patience with him may wear thin if results don’t improve soon.

Can Real Madrid Qualify?

With just three losses in five Champions League matches—matching the number of losses in their previous 24 games—Real Madrid’s position is now in jeopardy. The new Champions League format means only the top eight teams automatically qualify for the knockout stages, while those finishing 9th-24th will have to fight for a spot in a two-legged playoff.

This season’s struggles are a far cry from the dominance Real Madrid have shown in Europe for decades. The team's disappointing loss to Liverpool was the first time they had been beaten by the Reds in eight Champions League meetings, including two finals. As former England defender Rio Ferdinand put it, Real’s form is "alarming."

What’s Next for Real Madrid?

While some pundits remain hopeful that Mbappé will eventually step up and help turn the team’s fortunes around, the pressure is undeniably mounting. Ancelotti has assured fans that Real Madrid will qualify for the next round, stating confidently, “We will qualify for the next round and we will compete as we always do. You will see. We are going through.” But with multiple injuries, poor performances from key players, and growing doubts surrounding their ability to perform under pressure, it’s unclear whether the champions can live up to their own lofty expectations.

The coming weeks will be critical. Real Madrid must pull themselves together, starting with their upcoming fixtures, or face the unthinkable: a Champions League exit before the knockout stages, something the club has never experienced.