They call it the pena máxima. Guarding the goal, a player commits a foul or a handball, resulting in a penalty kick to the opposition. Besides conceding in the first place, it’s the worst possible punishment for a defender; the opposition taker has time and space to beat the keeper from 12 yards.
If your name’s Kylian Mbappé, one of the world’s most esteemed stars and usually reliable from the spot, it’s an even better opportunity to deliver that fateful blow*.* Only lately, as some Spanish media have adapted it, the striker has been on the receiving end of the pena máxima, having missed two penalties recently—away at Liverpool and Athletic Club, who both defeated La Liga’s reigning champion.
Of course, this isn’t just about Mbappé. Uncharacteristically stumbling, Real Madrid—as a whole—now enters a crucial stretch. Assuming rival Barcelona recovers from a shock defeat against Las Palmas with a victory in a testing game versus Real Betis, Real needs three points against Girona to keep pace around the top of the domestic standings. However, the stakes are even higher in the Champions League, with Real risking an early exit from Europe should results not improve.
Work Ahead In The Champions League
Lifting the trophy on 15 occasions, Madrid feels a degree of ownership with the Champions League. Then again, failure to beat Atalanta on December 10 could see Real’s chances of qualifying for the round of 16 as one of the league’s top eight teams almost extinguished—and with a battle on its hands to make the playoffs as one of the clubs finishing between places nine and 24. In a 36-team division, Real is 24th.
The game in Bergamo will unlikely be easy. Second in Italy’s Serie A—where it’s scored the most goals—and fifth in the Champions League mix, Atalanta cruised past a seemingly unbreakable Bayer Leverkusen to win the Europa League last season, a triumphant run that also included a thumping win at Liverpool—a rare scalp for anyone. Under coach Gian Piero Gasperini, strategy is the winner; Atalanta sold key asset Teun Koopmeiners for €54.7 million ($58 million) in August, has reinvested in the squad, and remains strong. The final tests against Red Bull Salzburg and Brest are easier in name only.
Serie A's top scorer, Mateo Retegui (right) will fancy more success against Los Blancos.Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images
Regarding prospects, Real may have the new Champions League format to thank. If the XI beats Atalanta in the sixth game, it will have nine points. In the previous tournament format, nine points from six matches were insufficient for Shakhtar Donetsk to escape Group H in 2023/24. That would have been an unthinkable failure for the Real. Usually shining in knockout soccer, the newly-introduced playoff route means Carlo Ancelotti’s men can make amends.
Still, it’s not a win-win. Entering the Champions League playoffs would entail another two fixtures in a hectic season, with Real finding out its adversaries (Salzburg, Al-Hilal, and Pachuca) in next summer’s expanded FIFA Club World Cup on Thursday. There are already injured players in the ranks: Dani Carvajal and Eder Militão are absent for the whole campaign, whereas Vinícius Júnior, Eduardo Camavinga, and David Alaba are nearing a return to action.
Moreover, there are some financial incentives to perform well in the Champions League, which Real currently isn’t. On top of the money earned from competing, gaining points, and making the latter rounds, winning the final again would pocket a handy €25 million ($26 million).
Addressing his side’s struggles while speaking to the press before the Girona encounter (Spanish), coach Ancelotti said, “Maybe you are tired of me. I’m not tired.” The Italian may still retain some enthusiasm, but he could do with one or two classy performances to help shift the sensation around the club, which is a little flat as Real looks to fight back.