Having Lost Its Mojo In The League, Real Madrid Reverts To Old Tricks

We’re entering classic Real Madrid territory. Except there’s a catch.

There’s a little more riding on the side’s last games this season, with Barcelona nearly La Liga champion—an accolade guaranteed with a win against neighboring Espanyol on May 14, when it can swiftly snatch the title back from Real’s grasp.

It’s a reality that leaves Real needing Champions League trophy number 15—and victory in the Copa del Rey final against Osasuna—to consider this campaign successful, given its ingrained, impeccable standards.

Real has lost an edge in the domestic division, neither playing consistently well nor summoning the usual winning grit required to pressurize rival Barcelona in the decisive stretch. Luckily for its fans, this is where Los Blancos come to the party, both in the boardroom and the stadium, with it nudged into making big moves on this occasion.

After seemingly winning the marathon to sign all-action midfielder Jude Bellingham, president Florentino Pérez and his right-hand men are sending a message. Bellingham is not the be-all and end-all for Real, yet welcoming the teenage star in a pricey deal already re-establishes its dominant status on the transfer scene, with the market in Spain opening officially in July.

The club is well-versed in making glamorous signings, which have, in turn, founded the modern Real brand. However, the 19-year-old’s profile makes this prospective acquisition even more significant. Bellingham is a blueprint for the galáctico it desires nowadays and ticks more boxes than usual. Besides being an exceptional talent, his career has only begun, and he can play multiple positions.

Indeed, just when it seemed Real was developing more from within, that new-look modus operandi has fallen by the wayside. Lately, coach Carlo Ancelotti has decided against blooding players from the Castilla youth setup, namely Álvaro Rodríguez, Sergio Arribas, Carlos Dotor, and Nico Paz, like in the loss to Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena in San Sebastián on Tuesday.

In striker Álvaro’s case, the young Uruguayan is somehow behind Mariano Díaz in the pecking order. And it may become more difficult for him to break through if Real prioritizes more established options in the frontline, with transfer-focused Fichajes reporting it will go all out to sign Manchester City ace Julian Álvarez—a tricky coup to pull off. The same goes for Arribas, now facing an uphill task to make the lineup with Bellingham on the way.

Aiming to prove its ascendency in Spain, and maybe Europe soon, with City posing a formidable challenge in the Champions League semifinals, don’t be surprised if Real’s serious transfer business has only started as it reverts to type. There are no guaranteed minutes for anyone. And the club must wait another year until Endrick—one such long-term option—is eligible to play in Madrid after agreeing to move from Palmeiras in Brazil.

Meanwhile, the side has a chance to match its traditionally bold recruitment with golden victories during a two-week spell that will define its campaign on the field. Of course, Real is the heavy favorite to win the Copa del Rey in Sevilla, despite its final opponent enjoying a great season. It’s a fairytale moment for Osasuna, on course for a top-ten finish and hoping for a first major trophy, but that will not unnerve Real, which has been in the domestic final 39 times before.

The Champions League is Real’s best party trick, however. When under the cosh, it’s found a way to prosper at the final hurdles in Europe. In semifinal challenger Manchester City, it will need this spirit more than ever. Because if the La Liga version turns up against the purring Premier
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League favorite on May 9 and 17, there’s only one winner, and it won’t be the team from Spain again.