Real Madrid's resurgance under Alvaro Arbeloa lasted three games after a disastrous 4-2 defeat to Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday. A shocking night at the Estadio da Luz saw Los Blancos surrender an automatic place in the last 16 of the tournament.
Kylian Mbappe had given Madrid the lead (30') until Andreas Schjelderup equalised (36') and then Vangelis Pavlidis put his side in front from the penalty spot (45+5).
It went from bad to worse for Arbeloa's men when Schjelderup made it 3-1 (54') but Mbappe got Los Blancos back into the game (58'). Drama then unfolded in the closing stages when Raul Asencio and Rodrygo were both sent off.
Benfica won a corner right at the death and their goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin went up with Jose Mourinho's side on the brink of elimination. But the shot-stopper headed home a fourth to stun the record-holders.
Real Madrid fans slam Huijsen after Benfica loss
The defeat is a nightmare for Madrid who looked to have turned a corner as of late. It's clear that there are still problems in the team and fans are urging Arbeloa to axe one of tonight's starters.
One fan argued that he can't continue to partner Asencio in defense: "We can’t go anywhere with asencio and huijsen pairing."
Another gave a grim verdict of the Spaniard: "Huijsen is our worst defender in history, even worse than Vallejo."
One defended Thibaut Courtois and blamed Huijsen for a poor defensive performance: "Without Courtois the game wouldve ended 6-2. Hes literally the last player to blame when you have Huijsen infront of you."
Another slammed the former Bournemouth man: "Huijsen is worse than Vallejo, on my life. That’s guy can’t defend to save his life."
One fan blamed Xabi Alonso for bringing him to the Bernabeu: "HUIJSEN AND CARRERAS ARE THE WORST XABI RUINED THIS CLUB."
Madrid will face either Benfica or Bodo/Glimt in the playoffs after their defeat against Mourinho's men tonight. There's every chance that Huijsen won't be a starter for that tie given the dismal outing he experienced against the Eagles.
Is it time for Huijsen to be dropped?
Huijsen spoke earlier this month about feeling back to his best amid a difficult debut season at Madrid. The Spaniard suggested that a lack of fitness had played a role in his struggles and that fans could soon expect to see the player he was back at Bournemouth.
It's hard to forget that Los Blancos splashed out €59.5m on the 20-year-old after watching him put in impressive performances in the Premier League. But he has come nowhere close to living up to expectations and Arbeloa might need to consider dropping him.
That should start this weekend when Madrid host Raya Vallecano in La Liga. It is vital that the team bounce back from a hugely problematic night in Portugal.