La Liga or Nothing: Real Madrid’s Final Shot at Glory

After brutal knockouts in the Champions League (thanks, Arsenal) and the Copa del Rey (ouch, Barça) — Real Madrid is officially in survival mode. Only one thing left to fight for: La Liga.

This Sunday night, all eyes are on the Santiago Bernabéu as Madrid hosts Celta Vigo. The mission? Stay on Barça’s tail, who sit top of the table. But let’s be real — after the Copa heartbreak, team morale is low.

Worse? The defense is in crisis.

• Antonio Rüdiger: Suspended 6 games after launching an ice cube at a ref (yes, really) — and now out for the season with knee surgery.
• Mendy & Alaba: Injured. Season over.
• Carvajal & Militão: Already out.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti straight-up admitted: the defense has been shaky all season, and now it’s hanging by a thread. Celta, who are fighting hard for a European spot, smell blood.

📉 Reality check: Real is 4 points behind Barça. Last season? Only 1 loss. This season? Already 5.

Still, Ancelotti isn’t giving up — even though he’s probably gone after this season. “We’ve got time to prep for Celta and the Clásico. We’ll fight till the end,” he said.

⏳ Countdown to El Clásico

After Celta, it’s Barcelona vs Real Madrid at the Olympic Stadium. That match could decide the whole league. So Madrid cannot afford to slip this weekend — especially with Barça playing Real Valladolid in between their UCL semis vs Inter.

👀 Reminder: Last time Madrid met Celta (in Copa del Rey), Real won — but it came with major controversy. Celta didn’t get a clear penalty. “Everyone in Spain saw it,” said Celta striker Iago Aspas.

Even now, Aspas warns: “Madrid’s struggling, but never count them out. In football, anything can happen.”

Bonus Watch: Golden Boot Race 🇪🇸

Over at Villarreal, striker Álex Pérez is chasing that “Top Spanish Scorer” crown with 14 goals, just one behind injured Oihan Sancet (Athletic Club). With Osasuna up next, expect Pérez to go hunting.