Beating Man City was only the beginning as Real Madrid confront their toughest challenge | OneFootball

Real Madrid are riding high after their stunning victory over Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League, securing their place in the round of 16.

However, the celebrations will have to be short-lived as the team now prepares for an incredibly demanding set of fixtures across multiple competitions.

The road ahead is nothing short of a marathon, testing the squad’s endurance both physically and mentally.

A look at Real Madrid’s schedule

The upcoming schedule is relentless, starting with a crucial home fixture against Girona. The Catalan side are pushing for European qualification, making them a dangerous opponent.

Any slip-up could prove costly in the La Liga title race, so Real Madrid must approach this clash with maximum concentration.

Just days later, the team will face Real Sociedad away from home in the first leg of Copa del Rey semi-final.

Real Madrid will play seven matches in 22 days. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

This will be followed by another difficult game against Real Betis, a team that has the ability to frustrate even the best sides.

The Champions League test

As if those challenges were not enough, Real Madrid will then shift their focus back to the Champions League. They will face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last-16.

Sandwiched between these high-stakes European fixtures is a league encounter against Rayo Vallecano.

The second leg of the Champions League clash will be held away from home, with the result likely to have major implications for the club’s ambitions this season.

Before heading into the international break, Real Madrid will wrap up this intense period with a trip to face Villarreal, another venue where victories are never guaranteed.

With such a packed schedule, squad rotation will be crucial. Carlo Ancelotti will need to carefully manage his players’ fitness levels to ensure they remain competitive across all three competitions.

Injuries and fatigue could play a major role in shaping the outcome of the season, making this stretch one of the most decisive in Real Madrid’s campaign.