Real Madrid’s crushing defeat to Barcelona has sparked growing unrest within the club and its fanbase. The fallout has pushed management to speed up internal decisions, especially concerning winter transfers. This summer’s transfer window exposed several missteps—most notably the failure to sign Kylian Mbappé despite his willingness to join. The club turned him down due to high salary demands, a choice that now seems increasingly costly. While President Florentino Pérez and vice president José Sánchez initially hoped to take more time to reflect, pressure from fans is mounting. Many are demanding new signings as a way to restore pride after the humiliation at the hands of Barça.
Though Madrid made several acquisitions and recalled a few players during the summer, only Theo Hernández made it into the El Clásico squad—and he didn’t play a single minute. Others like Marcos Llorente, Borja Mayoral, Jesús Vallejo, and Dani Ceballos didn’t even make the roster. Despite these setbacks, Zidane still enjoys backing from the board, who understand his long-term vision. However, there’s a growing belief that the squad needs an injection of fresh energy. Even if Zidane resists, change appears inevitable.
The board believes Gareth Bale could be treated like a new signing if he stays fit, but if desirable targets become available, Real Madrid won’t hesitate to re-enter the transfer market. The club hopes to see improvements from several underperforming players, but their current form has left both fans and executives scratching their heads. The technical department is calling for a gradual squad rebuild, and the recent defeat to Barcelona will likely accelerate that transformation. Plans are already underway to offload Karim Benzema by next summer, and despite rumors, the club isn’t prioritizing a salary raise for Cristiano Ronaldo either. Right now, these aren’t seen as the most urgent matters.
In fact, much of the planning is already in place. The loss to Barça merely lit a fire under the process. While January transfers aren’t always game-changers, Real Madrid is now in urgent need of reinforcement. Reports suggest the club aims to bring in a goalkeeper, a defender, and a striker. After falling further behind in the La Liga title race, top management has acknowledged that winning the domestic league is no longer realistic. While they haven’t officially thrown in the towel, La Liga is now clearly the second priority for the remainder of the season.
The top priority is the UEFA Champions League. Their upcoming clash with Paris Saint-Germain is widely seen as a do-or-die showdown. With 50 days left until that crucial encounter, Zidane now enters one of the most intense preparation periods in his managerial career. Such an extended buildup is rare in Real Madrid’s history, and it represents a golden chance to turn the season around. If the club lifts the Champions League trophy, their poor La Liga form will likely fade from memory.
Even though the wounds from the Barcelona loss are still fresh, 2017 remains one of the most successful years in Real Madrid’s history. At the same time, Florentino Pérez has just 30 days to seal any new signings. Both he and Zidane understand that the summer transfer strategy fell short. To compete in the second half of the season, Madrid needs fresh faces—not because the current players lack ability, but because the team needs competition to reignite intensity. Just as followers of BD Cricket Live know how new energy can change the course of a game, Real Madrid is banking on the same effect in football’s highest arena.
In the final stretch leading to the PSG clash, Real Madrid’s hopes now hinge on smart recruitment, internal competition, and Zidane’s ability to get the best out of his squad. For fans tracking BD Cricket Live, this scenario mirrors what often unfolds in high-stakes matches—a make-or-break moment where every decision counts. As the countdown begins, these next 50 days may very well define Real Madrid’s entire season.