The aftermath of Real Madrid’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final continues to unravel, as criticism explodes at all levels of the club.
From the pitch to the boardroom, few have been spared by a furious support that is turning on them with increasing intensity, according to Mundo Deportivo.
To start, Carlo Ancelotti has drawn sharp criticism for his game management, particularly his substitutions in London. Many Madrid supporters remain baffled that, despite the team facing a heavy defeat, the Italian made only three changes, two of which were Lucas Vázquez, a right-back, and Fran García, a left-back.
The perceived lack of urgency from the touchline has fuelled the belief that there is something broken between the coach and his squad.
Frustrations with the players are just as raw.
The squad’s response to Arsenal’s goals has been condemned as apathetic, lacking character and resolve.
The issue, however, appears deeper than just a lack of effort.
At the Emirates, MD note that visible tension emerged between Ancelotti and several key players, most notably Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham. When the manager issued instructions during the match, both visibly disagreed.
Bellingham, in particular, was seen shaking his head and saying “no” before returning to the pitch with a look of displeasure.
This was not an isolated incident. Throughout the season there have been whispers of a disconnect between Ancelotti and sections of the squad.
What unfolded in North London added weight to those claims.
At the executive level, Florentino Pérez has not been spared. The club president faces growing scrutiny over squad planning.
Many fans believe that Madrid should have recruited a replacement for Toni Kroos, signed a right back and a central defender in the summer, and moved decisively in the winter window after the injuries to Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal.
They didn’t.
The only major arrival was Kylian Mbappé, and while the Frenchman remains a symbol of the club’s ambition, he hasn’t been able to mask deeper structural issues that are now playing out at the business end of the season.
Despite the anger, the official response from within the club has been a call for calm. Real Madrid launched what they call operación remontada (operation comeback), signalling an internal push to rally around the squad and attempt another miracle in the second leg.
The campaign was made official through the club’s own television channel and echoed by players and staff.
Yet beneath the surface, the fractures remain. Nowhere is the fall-out more personal than with Vinícius Júnior, who once embodied the future of Madrid’s attack but is now becoming a target for fan disillusionment.
His performance at the Emirates was emblematic of his recent form – anonymous. He attempted three dribbles, completed none, took three shots without hitting the target, created zero chances, and made fewer passes than Thibaut Courtois.
That statistic alone has prompted some in the Spanish media to question his role in the team. “Vinicius passed unnoticed and one statistic reflects this clearly: Courtois made more passes than he did.” Reports have speculated that ongoing interest from Saudi clubs may be affecting his focus.
While Vinícius has publicly maintained his commitment to staying at Real Madrid, the mood among supporters is reportedly changing. The 24-year-old was booed at the Bernabéu against Valencia, and as Mundo Deportivo noted, “there are many who would understand his sale this summer to Arabia.” He is currently under contract until 2028 and valued at €200m.
The image of unity projected by the club stands in stark contrast to the reality visible at the Emirates. The road to salvaging the season is in Madrid’s own hands, but the noise surrounding Ancelotti, the players, and Florentino Pérez will not be silenced easily.
The second leg may determine more than a place in the Champions League semi-finals – it may shape the next chapter of the club itself.