Real Madrid Trophyless Season is not only a looming reality but it is rapidly turning out to be a bitter one that may not only typify the club season but may even chart the future of the club in terms of its managers. Following the disastrous Champions League quarter-final loss to Bayern Munich, Los Blancos now has the actual possibility of going the entire season without any trophies, which is uncharacteristic of a club that is founded on unremitting success.

To begin with, one should take into account the scale of the matter, taking into consideration the Real Madrid norms. This is a club that does not count the seasons according to developments, but trophies. It has 15 champions league and 36 LaLiga titles and anything less is regarded as unsuccessful. The recent campaign on the other hand, was characterized by discrepancy even at the outset. A bright start with Xabi Alonso soon erupted, and his resignation in January further led to instability to an already shaky season.

But the loss at the Champions League in Munich could be the mark. Real Madrid were just one goal away from a semi final place when an end-minute red card changed the tide in their favor, courtesy of Eduardo Camavinga. Bayern Munich quickly took advantage and scored two goals at the end to right what seemed to be a controlled match into a bloodthirsty slaughter. Jude Bellingham had already pitched the game as the game of all or nothing and the result matched the advertisement–there was nothing left of Madrid in Europe.

Meanwhile, the situation at home is not that encouraging. With only seven games to go and being nine points behind Barcelona, the title in la liga is being lost. Mathematically, such a defeat could be overturned but it would need almost flawless performances and a technique of their opponents to go down. That would be an unlikely scenario, considering the form displayed by Madrid of late. Such a mix of European extermination and internal disputes is what makes the Real Madrid season without a Trophy squarely placed in the perspective.

In the meantime, focus has turned to manager Alvaro Arbeloa as it’s inevitable. Arbeloa who was appointed partway through the season in the wake of Alonso has been in charge of both good and bad results 13 out of 21 but at Real Madrid, numbers mean nothing. History of the club indicates that trophyless campaigns are not tolerated by the club. Tactics such as Manuel Pellegrini and Zinedine Zidane, have been chased out of the exit door following their inability to win silverwares and it is no wonder that the Santiago Bernabeu demands nothing less.

Arbeloa on his part has accepted full responsibility. His actions after the match stated both that he was proud of his team and ready to accept the repercussions of the situation. He made it clear that the club is the one to determine his further future, and he was loyal and committed. This disposition has gained admiration in the dressing room as players such as Vinicius Junior compliment his relationship with the team and the transformations that he has made into boosting the spirits in a chaotic season.

And, lastly, is the bigger issue of whether or not we need to eliminate Arbeloa in the first place. There only a few matches to continue and few goals to achieve a change of manager at this stage would have little benefit in the short-term. More importantly the club has a bigger choice to make during the summer either to proceed with the construction under Arbeloa or to restart afresh with a new vision.

Scenario of Real Madrid trophyless season is a reminder that at the top, fortunes can turn in a short time. This campaign has revealed structural and tactical issues that extend past individual matches out of what once seemed an initial promise and could turn out to be a disappointment. To Arbeloa, the next few weeks might not alter the fate of the season but it might as well indicate whether he will be allowed to stay in the club.

The moral of the story is easy- at Real Madrid, performance is everything. Since the season is on the verge of ending, it will not only be about saving face, but also about crafting the new chapter. It is unknown whether Arbeloa will continue to lead or not, but one thing is certain in that a season with no trophies must not be met by a club that leaves little cause behind it.