Real Madrid find themselves in a challenging position in the Champions League campaign.
Back-to-back defeats against Milan and Liverpool have left the team struggling to climb the standings and the chances of securing a spot in the round of 16 have practically slipped further away with each match.
After five matchdays in the group stage, Real Madrid have managed to gather just 6 points. This places them in 24th position on the table, which allows them to enter the playoffs.
However, the risk of elimination looms dangerously close, as they are only 2 points away from slipping out of contention entirely.
What next for Real Madrid?
The revamped Champions League format, featuring a single group of 36 teams, has made the competition more unpredictable. With three matches still to play, it is possible to make some projections about Real Madrid’s prospects.
To secure a top-eight finish and guarantee direct qualification to the round of 16, a team is estimated to need at least 16 points.
Real Madrid have accumulated just six points from five UCL matches. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
This means that, even if Real Madrid win all three of their remaining games, they would only reach 15 points.
Based on current predictions, this would rule them out of achieving direct qualification.
There is still hope
When it comes to playoff access, the cut-off is expected to be between 10 and 11 points. For Real Madrid to avoid an early exit, they need to secure a minimum of 5 additional points from their remaining three matches.
This translates to winning at least two games or securing one win and two draws. Essentially, their margin for error is now razor-thin, and every game from here on out is critical.
As the league phase progresses, Real Madrid must step up their performance to avoid further disappointment.
The pressure is mounting, and the next few fixtures will determine whether the team can salvage their Champions League campaign or face an unexpected early exit.