Real Madrid find themselves in a precarious position midway through the inaugural league phase of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League.
In the new format of the competition, each team will play eight league games – four home and four away, with the top eight teams from the 36 in total securing direct qualification to the Round of 16.
Teams finishing between ninth and 24th will be involved in a two-legged playoff to progress further in the competition.
With two wins and two losses from their first four matches, Real Madrid are currently in the 18th position, three points behind Aston Villa who sit eighth.
What results to Real Madrid need to make it into the top eight?
Now, a report from MARCA has shed light on what Real Madrid would need from their remaining four matches to eke through to the Round of 16 directly via a top-eight finish.
It has been calculated through mathematical analysis and advanced statistical methods that the approximate minimum number of points needed to finish in the top eight would be 14.87 (~15).
For Real Madrid to reach that target, it would entail that they must win three of their remaining four matches.
The reigning champions of Spain have some tricky fixtures coming up as they face Premier League leaders Liverpool next before taking on last season’s UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta BC.
Real Madrid round off the league phase with a game against RB Salzburg and finally Ligue 1 club Brest, who are punching above their weight in Europe this season.
Winning three of these four games would be the minimum requirement for Real Madrid to secure a top-eight finish and progress to the Round of 16 directly.
If not, Los Blancos can secure a spot in the playoff positions with ten points from their eight games – meaning another win and a draw could secure them a place in the Top 24.
Carlo Ancelotti & co. are under pressure and the fixture schedule ahead is far from straightforward. But over the years, Real Madrid have shown that they are at their dangerous best with their backs against the wall.
