All that talk about a remontada just to play the way they played - Real Madrid disappointed their fans on Wednesday. It was tough to watch, and it is tough to write about. It is also tough to look for positives.
A performance like that leaves Real Madrid fans hopeless. There are still, technically, three trophies left to fight for, and yet, Real Madrid fans just could not care less. They have lost hope. They feel betrayed, and understandably so.
Real Madrid are still going to face Barcelona twice this season. They play them in the Copa Del Rey final in a week's time, before going to Barcelona and facing them in the league. Real Madrid are technically still in these two competitions. Whether they get something out of it depends on them.
Real Madrid, in theory, are still alive in two major competitions - and also the Club World Cup
If Real Madrid truly feel bad about what they have done, there is work to be done that can at least improve the feeling among the fans and the players.
If they are able to beat Barcelona in a cup final - in such a bad season, where they have conceded nine goals in two games against their rivals - would be huge in a morale sense.
Of course, winning a trophy will have its own effects on morale, but that psychological edge that Real Madrid will gain if they beat Barcelona will be huge, especially after a season like this.
They need to do a lot - and I mean a lot - before we even think about considering a reality where Real Madrid beat Barcelona. It probably won't happen, but if Los Blancos want to win over their fans, this is the way to do it.
Who knows, if they are able to beat Barca, maybe they will be able to beat them in the league too. Then it becomes a case of who drops points in the league race. Then you've got the Club World Cup that Real Madrid should win. Should being the keyword.
These things are way into the future. Before anything, we need to see emotion, improvement and intent.
We saw nothing against Arsenal. Barcelona are better than Arsenal. For something to happen against Barcelona, Los Blancos would have to far eclipse anything they have done this season. Is it possible? Yes. Will it actually happen? That depends on how much Real Madrid want to change things.
In theory, Real Madrid are capable of doing all of this. But, when you add the context of this season and the disappointment everyone has faced, the vision becomes blurry.