The defeat by thrashing of Real Madrid at the hands of Manchester City was not one more in the history, but impacted and aggressively in the Merengue world. Receiving a 0-4 in decisive instances, hand to hand, is something difficult to digest according to what marks the history of the club in the Champions League. And the press of the Spanish capital is already beginning to make lists with the possible victims of such a blow.
The forms always matter and more in the case of the most winning team on the continent, and current champion. The superiority that usually represents worldwide failed to impose itself before the physical and football deployment of those led by Pep Guardiola, who exposed the shortcomings that had been covered lately by triumphs at the local level, such as obtaining the Copa del Rey after thrashing Barcelona in the semifinals.
It was after that victory against Osasuna that president Florentino Pérez ratified the continuity of Ancelotti, who at some point flirted with the possibility of retiring from club management. They trusted the Italian coach but that scenario changed 180 degrees from the dance that Guardiola and his team gave them in Manchester.
The cleanup in Madrid seems to have begun, although still quietly. In the absence of four days in LaLiga, which will serve only to fulfill in the calendar, it will be time for meetings and key planning for the future of the powerful white club. The feeling is that both players and coaching staff will be evaluated throughout this month.
Florentino Pérez begins to analyze a possible renewal in the squad. Photo: FRANCK FIFE / AFP.
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Carlo has a contract with us. He's a great coach and he's won everything with us. It's a bad night for everyone," said Emilio Butragueño, former Merengue player and current director of the club, seeking to calm the waters after the defeat and elimination by Champions.
Ancelotti and his continuity, between a rock and a hard place. Photo: EFE/ Javier Lizón.
The veterans of the club are not assured of their continuity either. Those who knew how to be "untouchable" for a long time for the Merengue team, may be going through their last moments as white players. Karim Benzema, Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are the heavyweights who do not finish convincing by the present they are going through and the chance to look for new horizons is analyzed.
The feeling in Madrid is that a generational change is necessary but it will be difficult to face it due to the weight of these players, who won five Champions League in the last nine years.
Although everything seems to indicate that none of them will leave in this market of passes, their ownership in the Madrid that is coming is no longer guaranteed. Therefore, it is estimated that they will leave the team sooner rather than later. Florentino's intentions would be to refresh the template with new figures, relegating the maximum references of today.
Benzema, captain but with a future with the months counted. Photo: REUTERS/Carl Recine.
But there are also names that do seem to be with one foot outside the institution of the Spanish capital. Either because of the lack of minutes they have or consider that they have completed a cycle. Players such as the Dominican Mariano (contract ends), Jesus Vallejo, Alvaro Odriozola, Ferland Mendy, Marco Asensio and Daniel Ceballos seem to be the ones who will be considered transferable and offers will be heard from clubs for them.
Also the Belgian Eden Hazard could follow the same path after not meeting the expectations of his signing, added to several injuries that sidelined him directly from the field for several months. Florentino would seek to facilitate his exit after the player himself has not been comfortable with the present that he has to go through.
Hazard, one of the least shooting in Real Madrid. Photo: FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
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