Real Madrid’s La Liga title hopes suffered a setback on Saturday as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Real Betis. The loss, combined with Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 win over Athletic Club, saw Diego Simeone’s side leapfrog Real Madrid to the top of the table.
The defeat was Real Madrid’s second in the league since the start of 2025, and it has raised concerns about the team’s form ahead of their Champions League quarterfinal clash with Atletico Madrid on March 4. Manager Carlo Ancelotti was critical of his team’s performance, stating that they need to “wake up” if they want to succeed in the Champions League.
The Italian manager emphasized the need for his team to be more organized and compact, and to maintain their initial rhythm throughout the match. The defeat at Real Betis was a disappointing result for Real Madrid, who had started the match well but were unable to maintain their momentum. Ancelotti attributed the loss to a lack of attitude and commitment from his players, and warned that they need to learn from their mistakes.
Real Madrid’s recent form has been inconsistent, with two league defeats and two draws since the start of 2025. The team’s inability to put distance between themselves and their title rivals has raised concerns about their chances of winning the league.
The Champions League quarterfinal clash with Atletico Madrid is a crucial match for Real Madrid, and Ancelotti will be hoping that his team can raise their game to meet the challenge. The Italian manager has a good record against Atletico Madrid in European competition, having beaten them in the Champions League final on two occasions.
However, Atletico Madrid have been in good form recently, and they will be confident of causing an upset against their city rivals. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to advance to the semifinals of the Champions League. Real Madrid will need to be at their best if they want to overcome Atletico Madrid and advance to the semifinals of the Champions League.
