Champions League, Chelsea vs Real Madrid: Carlo Ancelotti In Spotlight As Wounded Real Madrid Take On Chelsea

Carlo Ancelotti knows better than anyone how quickly things can change at Real Madrid. After the sensational comeback against Paris Saint-Germain, Madrid were euphoric. They had defeated one of Europe's elite, humiliated an economic rival, neutralised Lionel Messi and, many believed, convinced Kylian Mbappe. They were about to win La Liga and suddenly looked contenders in the Champions League too. Three weeks later, the advantage in the league is still intact thanks to a scruffy, albeit morale-boosting, win over Celta Vigo on Saturday. But Ancelotti's credit has all-but evaporated.

Real Madrid were waiting until Tuesday to decide if their coach will be able to travel to the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea on Wednesday, after he tested positive for Covid last week.

The outcome of the tie could decide if he continues as coach next season.

It says something about the weight of the Clasico fixture that eight months of largely impressive work can be almost entirely erased by one, disastrous, 90 minutes.

There has been criticism of Ancelotti –- of Madrid's counter-attacking style, his lack of rotation and, in particular, the manner of the passive first-leg defeat by PSG –- but a dominant position in La Liga had mostly kept the sceptics in check.

Losing 4-0 to Barcelona, though, at the Santiago Bernabeu, when Madrid could easily have shipped six or seven, has brought doubts to the fore, not least because that result served as a warning for what may be to come.

Barca are 11 points behind Real Madrid in the table but it is Xavi Hernandez's resurgent young side who are finishing the season as the strongest team in Spain.

For Ancelotti, the Clasico defeat means winning La Liga may no longer be