Athletic Bilbao 1-0 Real Madrid: Have the Galacticos crashed?

The San Mames Stadium erupted with jubilee as Athletic Bilbao pulled off one of the most unexpected upsets this season, defeating World & European Champions, Real Madrid! After an explosive first half for Real, they were unable to transfer that level of charisma into to the second half, which eventually saw them drop an all-important three points at this stage. The fans are now blaming Carlo Ancelotti, claiming the Italian is a bit too soft on his approach when facing fierce opposition, and this all started back at the Copa Dey Rey clash where Real were hammered 4-0 by derby rivals Atletico Madrid. A lot of fans seemingly have blamed it on the fact that Carlo has always had success handed to him, because after all, he managed a juggernaut AC Milan back in the days, then Chelsea, a heavily invested PSG, and now he's home in Madrid! Needless to say, Ancelotti is a man familiar with the big scene, unlike such managers like David Moyes or even Andre Villas-Boas.

The problem Real Madrid seem to face at this moment are the injuries that have plagued them this season. James Rodriguez, Sergio Ramos, and the notorious Luka Modric have been big stars for the club, and undoubtedly a star-studded club such as Real are easily able to replace said players right off the bat in no time, or so we thought! Real's struggles haven't just emerged this Saturday, it's been an ongoing crisis they have faced ever since their unbeaten run was ended just a little after their World Club Cup victory. The momentum has somehow taken a hit, but don't expect that to be the case for too long! Their golden egg, Gareth Bale, has failed to impress the fans and also seemingly, his teammates, as he's had to endure strenuous pressure time and time again, because of expectations that have somehow been wearing him down. Madrid will need to find a solution to their small delay, as now their mega-rivals Barcelona lurk within the shadows, hoping to steal three points in tomorrow's clash at home to 11th place Rayo Vallecano, which seems quite an easy task on paper.

The biggest elephant in the room out of all the other elephants is simply the form of three time FIFA World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese has lost his touch shortly after claiming his most recent award, but that's not to say he's down and out for the count! Ronaldo will have to muster up his confidence and help inject it in this team if Real are going to have a successful season similar to last season. Karim Benzema has always been a questionable player, who should be considered lucky that he hasn't already been sold by Real, but his luck may soon run out at a moment's notice. Ancelotti will find it a difficult task to call on the powers of Angel Di Maria, now at Manchester United, who has been tremendously missed for his gift of flamboyant assists and goal-scoring abilities, and in my mind, has not yet been successfully replaced. The laugh of the matter emerged when Barcelona's Assistant Director of Football, Carles Rexach, claimed that Real Madrid only sold Di Maria because he was too ugly! How can that not be considered an audacious claim? Then again, come to think of it, Di Maria was replaced by Colombian playboy James Rodriguez just last summer! The question then begs to be asked, is this club somehow too caught up with the glamour and the glitz of their own prestige that they have forgotten their 'Real' purpose?

It's best said that there's a darkness that now looms over this historical club, as the La Liga title race has now gotten even hotter, the question is, who will take the title? Atletico, Barcelona, or Real Madrid?