Real Madrid fans are getting used to bad news and the latest setback was a humiliating 3-2 defeat to Segunda Division minnows Albacete in the Copa del Rey last 16. This came just days after Xabi Alonso parted ways with the club in unceremonious fashion.
That came following a 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final on Sunday. Which came after a Kylian Mbappe injury to start the new year.
It feels like a curse has taken hold at the Estadio Bernabeu and doesn't look likely to subside anytime soon. But the loss to Albacete might just be a good luck charm given Los Blancos' history.
Real Madrid's Copa del Rey early exit has worked a charm before
There weren't many positives to take from the defeat at Estadio Carlos Belmonte. Caretaker manager Alvaro Arbeloa can try and place all the blame on himself but his players, including Vinicius Junior, weren't good enough.
It means Madrid will now be focused on catching Barca in the La Liga title race, currently sitting four points behind their El Clasico rivals after 19 games. They are also still in with a shout of winning the Champions League, currently occupying seventh place in the standings.
Madridistas might already know this but those who don't will be pleased to learn that the last time the club crashed out of the Copa del Rey in the last 16 it led to massive success. Los Merengues were knocked out at the same stage back in the 2023-24 campaign.
Carlo Ancelotti then led his side to Champions League glory as well as the La Liga title. That's not the first time a similar situation has occurred as Los Blancos were sent packing from the competition in the Round of 16 back in the 2007-08 season and went on to win the Spanish league.
Hopefully history repeats itself as Arbeloa looks to get his side back on track amid a disastrous start to the year. His side next face Levante at the Bernabeu on Saturday and can move to within a point of Barca with a victory as the Catalans don't play until Sunday away to Real Sociedad.
Real Madrid squad warned about potential trophyless season
Florentino Perez's shock decision to dismiss Alonso has sent shockwaves around the footballing world. Many believe the Spaniard deserved more time especially with his side still in three competitions at the time of his departure.
That is now only two, and it seems Madrid's board will get tough with the squad should they fail to bring a trophy back to the Bernabeu at the end of the season. El Chiringuito TV (via Madrid Xtra) claims the higher-ups won't accept a trophyless campaign.
If Arbeloa's men fail to win La Liga or the Champions League it will have repercussions. The line given is that 'serious consequences' await should that be the outcome once the season concludes.