Kylian Mbappé’s dazzling display for Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday might have made Real Madrid fans fantasize about the future, but Madrid’s lackluster 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig on Wednesday — barely advancing to the quarterfinals 2-1 on aggregate — shattered their illusions.
This was a disappointing round-of-16 showing from Madrid, who struggled to create chances and looked shaky in defence. A team with more skill and composure than Leipzig — who had 20 shots to Madrid’s 11 — could have punished them for it. A significant improvement will be needed if Madrid are to compete with the likes of Manchester City in this tournament this season.
On the positive side, there’s Jude Bellingham. This was his first Champions League knockout game for Madrid after missing the first leg in Germany, and he produced the highlight of the match with a clever pass for Vinícius Júnior to break the deadlock. Six Champions League games for Madrid, and Bellingham has scored or assisted in every one, for a total of four goals and four assists in Europe this season.
The Santiago Bernabeu was silent before the match. Madrid had a 1-0 advantage from the first leg on Feb. 13, so they did not need to stage a dramatic comeback; they just had to defend or increase their lead. Coach Carlo Ancelotti chose a cautious lineup. Bellingham and Vinicius formed a front three with Federico Valverde, with Bellingham playing as a central striker, behind Aurélien Tchouaméni, Toni Kroos and Eduardo Camavinga in midfield.
The plan backfired. Madrid struggled to create chances in the first half, while the visitors had the best ones. Andriy Lunin made a good save from Xavi Simons, and Loïs Openda missed a clear opportunity. The Bernabeu fans grew restless and whistled their team, asking for more. Bellingham’s role as a “false nine” reduced the team’s offensive potential, as they failed to register a shot on target in the first half. A substitution at half-time brought Rodrygo on for Camavinga, joining Bellingham and Vinicius in attack.
Leipzig posed more threat in the early stages of the second half, with Lunin doing well to snatch the ball from Openda after rushing out of his goal, while Vinicius was lucky to escape with a yellow card for pushing defender Willi Orbán off the ball. However, Bellingham almost put Madrid ahead on the hour mark. His shot seemed bound for the bottom corner, but it was accidentally blocked by Rodrygo. Three minutes later, as Madrid grew stronger, Rodrygo tested keeper Péter Gulácsi with a shot.
Bellingham’s creativity created the opening goal. In the 65th minute, he received a pass from Kroos and sprinted forward, waiting until the last moment to slip the ball to Vinicius, who was clear on goal. The Brazilian scored with his first touch. He pointed at Bellingham during the celebrations, asking the crowd to acknowledge his role as the goal’s creator.
Madrid should have secured the win, but four minutes later, Leipzig equalized, with Orban heading past Lunin after beating Nacho Fernandez to David Raum’s cross. That set up a tense final 20 minutes, as Madrid clung to a one-goal lead in the tie. Dani Olmo even struck the crossbar in the 92nd minute, narrowly missing the chance to force extra time.
Madrid have reached the quarterfinals, which is the main objective. They have overcome mediocre performances to win this tournament before, as they did in 2022. However, a closer look at their form in the last two months shows a troubling pattern. Apart from their convincing 4-0 victory over Girona in LaLiga on Feb. 10, they have been struggling. They have drawn three of their last four matches in all competitions, and their two wins since defeating Girona have been by a narrow margin.
Bellingham’s two-match ban in domestic games, which could sideline him until March 31 unless he appeals successfully, will not help. Vinicius is finding the net — he has scored three times in two games — but he needs backup. Rodrygo, who has often been influential in the Champions League but was left on the bench against Leipzig, has only scored once in the last two months. In LaLiga, Madrid’s seven-point advantage at the top should secure them the title, but in the Champions League they will need more.
Mbappé may join them this summer, but this Madrid team could use some of his magic right now.