Real Madrid's season appeared disastrous a few weeks ago but if Carlo Ancelotti's side can finally beat rivals Barcelona in Sunday's LaLiga Clasico, their title defence will be resuscitated.
Madrid were left licking their wounds after a Champions League quarterfinal thrashing by Arsenal, and coach Ancelotti is poised to depart at the end of the season, but it could yet be with a major trophy in his hands.
Barcelona's European exit at the hands of Inter Milan on Tuesday brightened spirits in the Spanish capital and if Madrid can overhaul the Catalans at the top of the table, they could transform their season.
The nature of Madrid's rivalry with Barcelona means winning LaLiga could either feel great or underwhelming, depending on how their nemesis fares in Europe.
With Barcelona's quadruple dream crushed by Inter, should Madrid defend their title they could even classify their season as a success.
The Catalans, who currently lead by four points with four matches remaining, would be left with only the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup, both of which they won by beating Real Madrid in the final.
To do that Madrid must manage something they have not been able to pull off all season – winning a Clasico.
"We will have a great opportunity, we have to prepare well – it's an almost decisive match," said Ancelotti.
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The teams have faced off three times and Barcelona triumphed on each occasion, in the two aforementioned finals and in the first league clash at the Santiago Bernabeu in October.
Barcelona netted 12 goals across the four games, conceding four, with Hansi Flick's side outplaying Madrid on each occasion.
However their meeting in Seville in April in the Copa del Rey final was the closest Ancelotti's team have come.
Madrid took the game to extra-time, and their Italian coach discovered a set-up which allowed his team to take Barca to the wire.
Operating in the second half with Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe as the forwards, and Rodrygo Goes substituted, Madrid found the balance they have badly lacked at times this season.
"The last match was competitive, we were very close to winning, and I don't think we have to invent a lot of new things (tactically)," said Ancelotti.
"We have to try and play a serious game, and we will do so with all the confidence in the world.
"Despite all our problems, the fact we are here and we can fight in this match is something beautiful."
Last weekend against Celta Vigo Ancelotti also afforded Turkish 20-year-old Arda Guler a rare start and he impressed in midfield, providing impetus which the retired Toni Kroos gave last season, as Madrid won a LaLiga and Champions League double.
Guler also impressed as a substitute in the Copa final and Ancelotti may start him at the Olympic stadium this weekend.
"At Madrid you have to suck it up on the bench before you become an indisputable start in this team – Arda has the profile of a player who could be a starter at Madrid," said Ancelotti.
"He sucked it up on the bench, he didn't get annoyed and he has evolved... he's not the same Guler from last September."
Player to watch: Alexander Sorloth
Atletico Madrid's Norwegian target man has played a key role off the bench this season, but in the final weeks of the campaign, coach Diego Simeone is giving him more chances from the start. He is set to lead the line against his former side Real Sociedad on Saturday.
WHAT THE STATS SAY
Barcelona have won their last three matches against Real Madrid in all competitions, only once in the entire history of ElClásico, between 2008 and 2010 under Josep Guardiola (five), have the Blaugrana managed 4+ consecutive wins.
Real Madrid have won four of their last five away matches against FC Barcelona in all competitions (L1), achieving the same number of victories as in their previous 19 visits to Barcelona (W4 D7 L8).
Barcelona have won all three of their matches against Real Madrid this season in all competitions, with a goal difference of 12 goals scored and only four conceded. Only the Blaugrana themselves, in the 1982/83 season (G5 W4 D1), have achieved more wins in a single campaign in the entire history of ElClásico.
Barcelona have not lost any of their last 15 LaLiga games (W13 D2) since their 1-2 defeat against Atlético Madrid on December 21, 2024. They have not gone unbeaten in more consecutive matches since a run of 19 between December 2020 and April 2021 (W16 D3).
Real Madrid have won their last four LaLiga games and have not managed 5+ consecutive wins in the competition since a run of nine between March and May 2024.
Barcelona have scored 91 goals in LaLiga 24/25, their best attacking record after their first 34 games of the season since 16/17 (101 goals). Meanwhile, Real Madrid have conceded 33 goals in LaLiga 2024/25, their worst defensive record at this stage of the campaign since 2018/19 (38 goals).
Robert Lewandowski has scored 11 goals in 17 matches against Real Madrid in all competitions; only Lionel Messi (26) and Luis Suárez (12) have scored more against Real Madrid in the 21st Century (11 goals also for Antoine Griezmann and Samuel Eto'o).
Kylian Mbappé has scored 36 goals in 52 matches for Real Madrid this season in all competitions and could equal the best scoring record for a player in his first season with The Whites, achieved by Iván Luis Zamorano in 1992/93 (37 goals in 45 matches).
Barcelona manager Hans-Dieter Flick has won all three of his matches against Real Madrid in all competitions. Of all the managers in the history of ElClásico, only Josep Guardiola with the Blaugrana (five between 2008 and 2010) has won his first four competitive matches.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has lost 12 of his 25 games against FC Barcelona in all competitions (W10 D3), more than against any other opponent in his entire managerial career.