Real Madrid: Ranking the top 5 most likely losses on the rest of the 2021 schedule

4. Inter Milan, Dec. 7

Real Madrid defeated Inter Milan twice in last year’s edition of the Champions League, and they beat them again this year. But Inter became a better team through the 2020-2021 season, eventually winning the Serie A title with ease. On top of that, the Nerazzurri have improved this season since that loss to Los Blancos. Their only defeat was to Lazio.

Los Blancos needed late-game heroics from Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo Goes to take down Inter at the San Siro. At home, you’d expect Real to take care of business, because they, too, look better now than they did in September. The returns of Ferland Mendy and Toni Kroos have been huge.

However, Inter is a top team. Even without Antonio Conte, Simone Inzaghi has Inter looking like a strong side, and Real can never underestimate their biggest group competition in the Champions League.

3. Atletico Madrid, Dec. 12

It may be weird to rank El Derbi as only the third-most dangerous matchup for Real Madrid, especially since the other two matches above the one against Atleti will be against two more sides in La Liga.

But Atleti have struggled to start the season, compared to where we thought they would be. Now, they are still Los Blancos’ biggest challengers in La Liga this season in the long run, but after their struggles in the second half of the 2020-2021 season and some of their rough patches this season, Real Madrid will be the favorites at home on Dec. 12.

Plenty could change in the next month before this fixture, especially if Antoine Griezmann plays to his “league’s best player” potential. But as of right now, a loss to Atleti is highly unlikely. A draw is likely, but not an outright loss. Real Madrid generally show up for these games, particularly at the Santiago Bernabeu.