Real Madrid's aims, ambitions and fixtures for final two months of 2024/25 season | OneFootball

The Real Madrid procession many projected once Kylian Mbappe's arrival was confirmed last July hasn't exactly panned out.

After claiming a La Liga and Champions League double last season, Madrid are at risk of relinquishing their crowns despite the arrival of a superstar who certainly hasn't disappointed in year one.

There's been tangible success by way of the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup, but Carlo Ancelotti's future hinges on whether Madrid remain at the top of both their Spanish and European perches come the end of May.

2024/25 has been somewhat of a slog for Ancelotti's behemoths, but crunch time is typically when this inevitable outfit comes into its own. Here are Real Madrid's key objectives for the remainder of the season.

Champions League #16

Real Madrid lifted their 15th Champions League trophy last season / Anadolu/GettyImages

Real Madrid's victory over crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid to claim 'La Decima' in 2014 opened the floodgates. Before that final in Lisbon, Madrid had gone 12 years without a Champions League trophy. Only on a couple of occasions had they come close.

Since Sergio Ramos cancelled out Diego Godin's opener in stoppage time and Madrid ran amok in the extended period, five Champions League trophies have returned to the Santiago Bernabeu.

They're the competition's final boss. The force you have to overcome to ascend to the European summit. Manchester City got the monkey off their back in 2023 by thumping the holders in the semi-finals, but Madrid returned with a vengeance last season and claimed title number 15.

Ancelotti's stoic aura combined with the their unwillingness for any occasion, no matter the magnitude, to inhibit performance has allowed Madrid to thrive while others crumble. This is a team which is yet to discover its imperious groove, but it's around this time when their inevitability creeps in.

After beating City in the play-off and edging past Atletico on penalties, a tactically supreme but relatively inexperienced Arsenal await in the quarter-finals. It'll probably be PSG in the last four, and potentially a Clasico Champions League final. Stop it.

Domestic double is on

Madrid are level on points with Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table / Aitor Alcalde/GettyImages

Madrid coasted to the La Liga title last season, but Barcelona have bounced back wonderfully with Hansi Flick at the helm.

The holders have had their issues with defensive injuries and have struggled on occasions to assert total control in possession after Toni Kroos' retirement. The German's void has been filled by a resurgent Dani Ceballos and the timeless Luka Modric, but there's only one Toni Kroos.

Madrid's lack of control has cost them in multiple La Liga outings, and they've dropped points in ten of their 28 games. Only a freakish Barca blip at the end of 2024 means they're still in the title race. The Clasico rivals are locked on 60 points, but Flick's side have a game in hand.

Despite their issues, Ancelotti's side are well in the hunt with two months of the season remaining.

Moreover, a Copa del Rey probably won't be enough to save the Italian's job like it was two years ago, but Madrid have one foot in the final after winning the first leg of their semi-final with Real Sociedad 1-0 in San Sebastian. While Madrid have enjoyed a bucket load of success in recent years, they haven't always shone in the domestic cup. Their triumph in 2023 was their first Copa del Rey success since 2014.

The competition isn't a priority down a stretch, but it's not a trophy to be scoffed at. They haven't completed the domestic double since 1988/89.

Individual honours for Kylian Mbappe

Mbappe is in the Ballon d'Or hunt / Aitor Alcalde/GettyImages

It may have taken a few more years than expected, but Florentino Perez finally got his man last summer. Mbappe was long destined for Madrid, but the Frenchman, off the back of a poor Euro 2024 campaign with France, required time to acclimatise.

Mbappe's start in the Spanish capital was subdued, with discourse unrelenting in regards to his capacity to co-exist with the club's collection of superstar forwards. However, Ancelotti almost always has a solution.

The former PSG star has primarily been used up top with Vinicius Junior occupying the left flank, but the Italian is no idealist whose philosophy is predicated on positional play. Fluidity and relationist principles have pervaded over Madrid's majestic attack, and Mbappe has doubtlessly benefitted from their scintillating cohesion.

The Frenchman's slow opening means he trails Robert Lewandowski by two in the Pichichi race, but time is on his side and he's the man in form. Despite the presence of Vinicius Jr and Bellingham, not to mention the often unsung Rodrygo, Mbappe has been Madrid's star this term. His 30 goals in all competitions have thrust Los Blancos into contention on multiple fronts, and although he currently wouldn't be regarded as a Ballon d'Or favourite, he'll surely be well in the mix if Madrid end the season with a couple of major titles.

Real Madrid's remaining 2024/25 fixtures

Will Carlo Ancelotti work his stoic magic again down the stretch? / Angel Martinez/GettyImages

Madrid will hope Osasuna take advantage of some God-awful scheduling when they face Barcelona next week in La Liga, with the league leaders having the chance to open up a three-point lead at the top with ten games to go.

The champions have a couple of notable league games still on their calendar - none more important than El Clasico on 11 May. Madrid host Athletic Club the week before and visit Getafe, who have taken points off both Barca and Atleti this season, on 23 April. Their La Liga season concludes at home to Real Sociedad, who they also face in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final after the break, on 25 May.

Should they retain their advantage from the first leg, Madrid will face either Barca or Atleti in the final on 26 April.

The club's Champions League quarter-final with Arsenal is pencilled in for 8 and 16 April. They'll host the second leg after visiting the Emirates for the very first time. Should they bypass the Gunners, a potential semi-final with PSG will take place at the end of April and the start of May. Munich is hosting the final on 31 May.