Real Madrid are in serious trouble in La Liga. Four points behind Barcelona, whom they will face in yet another El Clasico on Sunday.
In any case, hopes are low. However, nothing is terribly dim. With the right approach and skin in the game, there is yet hope.
Los Blancos' final four league games will make or break their season. They have already suffered greatly, primarily as a result of their own wrongdoings, and it is now time for them to make things right, or at least attempt to.
And these upcoming games are even more important because, first, Real Madrid haven't won a major trophy this season, so winning the league with whatever hope remains could be a turning point; second, Los Blancos have been humiliated by Barcelona this season, and a turnaround in the El Clasico will be a massive boost not only for the fans but also for the team.
To help Real Madrid survive, there are only three names that may lead this orchestra.
Kylian Mbappe
The Frenchman will play a critical role in determining Real Madrid's fate. He has been decent in recent games, particularly in the previous two El Clasicos.
Mbappe appears to have found his form, albeit late in the season, but at a critical juncture. The impact he had in the second half of the Copa Del Rey final cannot be underestimated.
In addition, his pairing with Arda Guler in the Celta Vigo match looked promising. The two seemed to mesh right away, creating some wonderful opportunities through genius and haste.
Guler must undoubtedly start if Carlo Ancelotti is serious about making a respectable exit. And when he does so, miracles are not impossible.
The remaining four games will be under Mbappe's dominion, and no mistakes will be spared. The season seemed to have ended, but not entirely.
Fran Garcia
If you had read this piece a few months ago, you would have thought I was crazy. No surprise, I would do the same. But this is what it has really come to.
Let me be clear: Fran isn't bad. He is indeed OK. However, he cannot sail his boat by simply being OK. He needs to be much better, especially now that he is no longer the backup. He is the only option.
My main complaint of Fran is not his abilities on his feet, but the conflict in his thoughts. He simply makes too many bad mistakes because of illogical decisions. Some are good, but the majority are negative and often do significant damage.
Fran will face Lamine Yamal yet again. Although a sense of dread occurs upon realizing this, a gleam of confidence and hope emerges as well.
Fran must do what is best for both the team and himself. Even more so for himself if we are not filtered. His future is uncertain, and if he continues to fail in the remainder of the season, his departure may be sealed.
Carlo Ancelotti
No, the third protagonist is not a player, but the manager. Carlo Ancelotti has made numerous mistakes this season, and he has already lost his job.
Although it is far too late to mend anything, we can anticipate a decent bandage to hide the wounds.
The sole duty Ancelotti, in my opinion, must complete successfully is to select a strong starting lineup.
His selection against Celta Vigo was arguably the best lineup Real Madrid have fielded this season, but Ancelotti must ensure the quality endures.
He must comprehend the importance of rotations and rely on powers such as Guler and others. He will also have to make a difficult decision on Rodrygo.
Having him in the starting XI for the El Clasico makes no sense, despite the misery it causes. It is just not the best choice, let alone the worst.