Athens Test: Can Real Madrid Break Their Athens Curse and Spark a Turnaround

Athens Challenge: Real Madrid's Quest for an Historic Win

Real Madrid travel to the Greek capital for a high-stakes midweek clash with Olympiakos, as Xabi Alonso's team navigate a fragile spell this season.

With three straight winless games, doubts have grown about their form and confidence. They have not tasted victory domestically or in Europe since a 4-0 win over Valencia earlier in November.

Following that result, Madrid went to Liverpool's Anfield in the Champions League and were beaten 1-0, a setback that added to the malaise.

After the international break, the Merengues were held to a goalless draw with Rayo Vallecano and then drew 2-2 with Elche, deepening the sense of a wobbling season.

History in Athens has not been kind. According to Mundo Deportivo, there are no wins for Real Madrid in the Greek capital. They have played seven competitive matches against Panathinaikos, AEK, and Olympiakos here, yielding five draws and two defeats.

Against Olympiakos specifically, Madrid have appeared four times in Athens, producing three draws and one loss, with the latest visit dating back to the 2007-08 group stage ending 0-0.

The standings in the current Champions League campaign reflect a mixed picture: Madrid sit seventh in the group with 9 points, while Olympiakos sit 31st with 2 points.

In La Liga, Madrid's 2-2 draw with Elche came at the Martínez Valero, leaving questions about consistency and tactical choices as Alonso weighs his options for the Athens test.

Alonso's on-field reflections

After the Elche game, Alonso told AS that a run of good results ended with a dip in form, but the ambition remains clear: the club expects wins and the road ahead is long and demanding.

He defended the decision to use Fran Garcia in a wider role, saying the shift was intended to provide width and alter the team's shape, even if the timing of conceding after the draw was unfortunate.

Regarding Vinícius Júnior, the coach insisted there was no concern about commitment or discipline, noting that the player understands his role and that the squad remains motivated to regain momentum.

Concerning the renewal discussions around Vinícius, Alonso stressed the club's belief that the Brazilian is essential and that negotiations are progressing quietly, while his agents claim talks have paused since July.

With the contract due in 2027, Madrid continues to guard Vinícius' future as a cornerstone of their project and will sign when the moment feels right, the club maintains.

As the Athens clash looms, Madrid must translate talk into results and turn the page on a rocky spell that has unsettled fans and raised questions about the team's balance and resilience.

Punchline 1: Madrid chasing an Athens win? Zeus might be their best tactical advisor—if only lightning struck the goalmouth.

Punchline 2: If patience were a sport, Real Madrid would be world champions; unfortunately, it isn’t on the schedule this season.