Wounded Real look for domestic success with European dream in tatters

As Real Madrid lick their wounds following a humbling Champions League quarter-final exit, coach Carlo Ancelotti must rally his troops as they look to reel in LaLiga leaders Barcelona.

Reigning European champions Real were crushed 5-1 on aggregate by Arsenal without really offering a threat over two legs, a major cause for concern as Real trail Barcelona by four points in LaLiga.

What will worry Ancelotti more is that his side have won one of their last five matches in all competitions - a 1-0 victory over relegation-threatened Alaves last weekend.

Kylian Mbappe, Real's top scorer this season with 33 goals in all competitions, saw red in that game and the Frenchman will be suspended for Sunday's home match against Athletic Bilbao, who are fourth in the standings.

Real must hope that Barcelona drop points against Celta Vigo the day before or they will be staring at a seven-point deficit to the leaders before they face Athletic, a team that have lost just once in their last 22 league games and beat them 2-1 in December.

Little wonder then that Ancelotti's job hangs by a thread ahead of the Copa del Rey final later this month - a Clasico against Barcelona.

"It could be this year, next year when my contract runs out (in June 2026)... There's no problem about it," Ancelotti said when asked about his future as Real's manager.

"But when I am done here, I will be grateful to this club. It could be tomorrow, in one year, or in 10 years, but I will be grateful to this club. And that's it, full stop.

"We have done very well in the last seasons but this year we have had to suffer. Things haven't gone as expected, but in sport it happens because there are no unbeatable teams."

BARCA CHASING TREBLE

Barcelona were also down in the dumps on