Real Madrid's 2-1 Loss to Betis Sparks Alarm Ahead of Atlético Clash
Oct, 28 2025
Real Madrid’s grip on the LaLiga title race slipped further Saturday night after a shocking 2-1 defeat to Real Betis at the Benito Villamarín stadium in Seville. The loss, which came just three days after a tense Copa del Rey win over Real Sociedad, left manager Carlo Ancelotti visibly shaken—and warning his team they’re running out of time. With only three months left in the season, this isn’t just another setback. It’s a red flag. And if they don’t fix it fast, they could lose everything.
How It Unfolded: From Early Lead to Collapse
Real Madrid started strong. Brahim Díaz gave them the lead in the 12th minute with a crisp finish, sparking hopes of a statement win on the road. But by halftime, those hopes were fading. Johnny Cardoso, the 23-year-old U.S. international and Betis midfielder, rose above Madrid’s defense to head home his first league goal of the season. The equalizer wasn’t fluky—it was the result of Madrid’s sloppy build-up and poor marking. Then, in the 68th minute, the dagger came. Isco Alarcón, the 32-year-old former Madrid star who returned to Betis in 2023, calmly converted a penalty after a handball by Madrid’s David Alaba. The crowd erupted. The visitors looked shell-shocked.Ancelotti’s Post-Match Wake-Up Call
At the post-match presser, Ancelotti didn’t hold back. "It was a bad game," he said, his voice tight. "We started well, but then we lost control. Against a team that played better than us and deserved to win." He pointed to the numbers: 27 lost possessions in the first half alone. "That’s not football. That’s chaos." He criticized the team’s lack of compactness, a hallmark of Madrid’s recent performances. "Lately, we looked organized. Today? We were scattered." His comments on Kylian Mbappé were equally revealing. The French superstar, 26, was subbed off in the 75th minute—not due to injury, but because of a dental issue that kept him from training all week. "He wasn’t at his best," Ancelotti admitted. "We brought on Endrick to protect him and give us energy." But the real concern? Attitude. In a separate interview with Diario AS, Ancelotti said: "All the teams are running and we have not known how to do the same. This game must serve as a wake-up call. It’s a lesson."
Defensive Woes and the Asencio Factor
The backline was a mess. Antonio Rüdiger, 31, and David Alaba, 32, looked slow, out of sync, and unconvincing. Neither looked like they were ready for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Atlético Madrid. Instead, Raul Asencio, the 21-year-old Spanish defender, is set to return to the starting XI. His absence—due to a hamstring injury suffered February 8—coincides with Madrid’s last three defeats: against Barcelona, Espanyol, and now Betis. Coincidence? Probably not.The Bigger Picture: A Race on the Brink
Madrid still leads LaLiga with 68 points from 27 games—but only by three over Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid sits just one point behind, with two games in hand. Their form since late January? Five games, five points. Eight defeats this season. Only two last year. The numbers don’t lie. The timing couldn’t be worse. With the Champions League round-of-16 first leg against Atlético Madrid looming at the Santiago Bernabéu on March 4, Ancelotti’s warning was chilling: "If we play like this, we won’t win on Tuesday. That’s quite clear."
What’s Next? Three Trophies, One Team, One Deadline
Madrid are still chasing the league, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey. But they’re stretched thin. Ancelotti called these "the decisive games in the final three months of the season." The players know it too. The fans feel it. The pressure isn’t just mounting—it’s suffocating. The next 72 hours will define their season. Can they reset? Can they rediscover the discipline that carried them to last year’s double? Or will this collapse become the story of 2025?Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Raul Asencio’s return so critical for Real Madrid?
Asencio’s return could be the missing piece in Madrid’s defense. Since his hamstring injury on February 8, Madrid have lost three consecutive LaLiga matches, all while he was absent. His pace, positioning, and ability to read the game have consistently improved the team’s defensive shape. His absence coincided with Alaba and Rüdiger looking sluggish, suggesting Asencio’s presence forces opponents to adjust and relieves pressure on the veterans.
How has Kylian Mbappé’s dental issue impacted Real Madrid’s performance?
Mbappé missed nearly a full week of training due to a tooth infection, limiting his sharpness and movement. His substitution in the 75th minute against Betis wasn’t tactical—it was precautionary. While he still created chances, his lack of explosive acceleration was noticeable. With the Champions League leg against Atlético looming, his availability for full training and match fitness is now a major concern for Ancelotti.
What does this defeat mean for Real Madrid’s LaLiga title chances?
Madrid still lead by three points, but their recent form makes that lead feel fragile. With Atlético Madrid one point behind and two games in hand, a single win by the Rojiblancos could erase Madrid’s advantage. Barcelona, meanwhile, have a game in hand too. Real Madrid’s five-game winless streak in LaLiga (0-3-2) is their worst run since 2018. Winning the title now requires near-perfection in their final 11 games.
Why is the Atlético Madrid Champions League match so pivotal?
It’s not just a knockout tie—it’s a psychological test. Atlético have beaten Madrid in three of their last five meetings, including last season’s Copa del Rey final. A loss at the Santiago Bernabéu on March 4 would hand Atlético the psychological edge and likely end Madrid’s Champions League hopes. For Ancelotti, it’s also about proving his team can still compete under pressure—something they’ve failed to do in recent weeks.
Is Carlo Ancelotti under pressure after this loss?
Not yet publicly—but internally, yes. Ancelotti has won four Champions Leagues and two LaLiga titles with Madrid, but his current squad is the most expensive in history. Fans and board members are expecting dominance, not survival mode. His comments about "attitude" and "commitment" suggest he’s losing patience with the players’ mentality. If they lose to Atlético on Tuesday, speculation about his future could intensify.
What’s the historical context of Real Madrid losing to Real Betis at Benito Villamarín?
Real Madrid hadn’t lost to Betis at the Benito Villamarín since 2019. Before Saturday, they’d won their last five away matches against Betis, including a 3-0 thrashing in 2023. This defeat is their first at the stadium in six years and only their third loss there since 2010. For a club that prides itself on conquering difficult away venues, this result feels particularly damaging.