Real Madrid have had a mixed start to the month of December, with a win over Girona overshadowed by a loss to Athletic Club.
The reigning European champions are set to face an even more daunting task tonight as they take on Atalanta, in what could be a must-win game for Los Blancos.
The month is only going to get tougher for Real Madrid, who have assignments against the likes of Rayo Vallecano, Sevilla coming up.
Real Madrid’s daunting January assignments
But more than December, January is going to ail Real Madrid even more as the club are set to face a demanding schedule.
Indeed, the Spanish giants could play up to ten matches in just 28 days. During this period, the club will be juggling four competitions: La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, and the Champions League.
Can Real Madrid weather the storm in January? (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
The schedule begins on January 3 with a postponed La Liga match against Valencia. Just three days later, they will kick off their Copa del Rey campaign with a visit to Deportiva Minera.
The Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Mallorca is scheduled for January 9 in Saudi Arabia, with the final potentially taking place on the 12th.
Upon returning from Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid will dive straight into the Copa del Rey round of 16, which is slated for the week of January 14.
The La Liga clash against Las Palmas is scheduled for January 19th, followed by the crucial Champions League group stage match against Salzburg on January 22.
The month of January ends with games against Valladolid and finally, Brest, another must-win game for Los Blancos if they are to qualify for the next round of the Champions League.