When Real Madrid defeated Almeria 4-1 in December 2014, things looked rosy for the club as they prepared to compete in the Club World Cup. Five points clear of Barcelona, with the Catalans having a game in hand, Carlo Ancelotti’s men enjoyed a hot streak. They had won 20 games in a row, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 25 goals in 14 league games and passage to the Champions League knockout stages had been assured.
But 2015 would prove to be different. Their first League game of the year would yield something they hadn't experienced for a while: a defeat. Losing 2-1 away to Valencia gave hope to Barcelona and brought a human chill to the once-invincible Blancos. The breaking point then came in March, which saw Los Merengues hand over the initiative to Barcelona.
Held to a 1-1 draw by Villarreal at home was soon followed with a 1-0 defeat away to Athletic Bilbao, but what sealed their miserable run in March was their 2-1 reverse in the Clasico. March was the month they lost La Liga and questions began to swirl.
While the League title was ceded to Los Blaugrana, there was still hope in the Champions League. Victory would give Ancelotti hope of retaining his job by giving something club President Florentino Perez craved – an 11th European Cup – but it wasn't to be as they crashed out in the semi-finals.
To make it worse, the architect of their downfall was the curse of the cantera – a staple they’ve ignored in favour of big-name signings. Alvaro Morata, who was sold last season, scored the goal that denied them a mouth-watering Clasico Champions League final with Barca.
It was certainly a poor 2015, but neither did it help that they suffered a poor January transfer window. Lucas Silva came for a reported €14m but has barely started and even found himself behind Sergio Ramos – a centre-back by trade – at times. Moreover, the injury to Luka Modric was a blow, which denied them the creative dynamism that served them so well earlier in the season. The fans didn’t help either – booing Casillas when it was generally undeserved and Gareth Bale suffering the effects of second-season syndrome. Attacking players in their cars was also extreme.
A season in which neither the League nor Champions League is won is something Perez doesn’t tolerate. Although the club’s staff wanted him to stay, Perez proceeded to sack Ancelotti at a Press conference on Monday
The Italian’s replacement will no doubt delve into the transfer market, but what’s needed is a Coach that is there for five years and not for the short term like Ancelotti or his predecessors Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini.
Whoever comes in will have a tough task on their hands. It’ll be out of the frying pan and straight into the fire.
