Real Madrid's season set to be determined by the next five games
Zidane's men have played two of the key seven games which were set to potentially shape the between outcome of the 19-20 season for the Bernabéu side.
Zinedine Zidane's men go into a key stage of the season with a hectic schedule imminent and the respective results of games between now and mid March will go some way in shaping the level of success for the Bernabéu club this season.
home vs. Celta Vigo (16.02): 2-2 draw
This draw at home to the struggling Galician side was not part of the plan as Zidane's side embark on a key run of games that will certainly go some way in shaping the season. New Russian signing Smolov stunned the Bernabeu in the first ten minutes before goals from Kroos and Ramos (from the spot) saw Madrid gain control. A late Santi Mina equaliser stunned the 66.000 strong crowd as Real Madrid drop two valuable points at home to a side mired in the relegation zone.
away vs. Levante (22.02): 1-0 defeat
A major setback for Zidane's side after a 1-0 loss at the Cuitat de Levante Stadium where a fine late strike from Levante captain Morales was enough to hand Real Madrid their second LaLiga defeat of the current campaign. There was also another blow for the club as Eden Hazard limped off in the 67th minute suffering from a recurrence of the ankle problem that ruled out the Belgian international for over two months.
home vs. Man. City (26.02) Champions League
A tie filled with narratives and sub-plots wherever you look. Guardiola back at the Santiago Bernabéu, City apparently destined to be banned from the competition for the next two seasons and the English side anxious to remedy their 2016 exit at the hands of Madrid. Big European nights at the Chamartin are special and Zidane will want to ensure that there are no slip-ups or nasty shocks in the first leg of the tie.
home vs FC Barcelona (01.03)
After a 0-0 draw at Camp Nou in December, incidentally a result and performance from the Catalan side that was instrumental in the subsequent dismissal of Ernesto Valverde, Madrid will hope that the March El Clásico finally offers an opportunity to address poor recent Bernabéu results against their old foes. October 2014 was the last time that the men in white ran out victorious in a home game against Barça with 0-4, 2-3, 0-3 and 0-1 the last scorelines between both giants of the Spanish game in the capital in LaLiga.
away vs Real Betis (08.03)
Another tricky away trip facing Zidane's side a week after El Clasico with the Andalusian's already claiming a 0-0 draw in the home fixture this season. Recent trips to the Benito Villamarin have been kind to Madrid in recent times with the last three visits to the Seville ground providing maximum points for the side from the capital.
home vs. SD Eibar (w/e 15.03 date tbc)
The visit of the Basque side should fail to stretch Real Madrid as Mendilibar's men have struggled this season and are currently flirting with relegation. In their six seasons in the top flight Eibar have only managed one win over Madrid (November 2018 at Ipurua) and in their duels at the Bernabéu, all games bar one have ended in a home win with February 2016's 1-1 the exception.
away vs. Man. City (17.03) Champions League
The final installment in a hectic schedule with progression in Europe's premium competition and the quest for a 14th European Cup set to be decided in the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.