Real Madrid will face a month-long absence of competitive football at the Santiago Bernabéu between October 22 and November 22, a scheduling gap that mirrors a period of crisis experienced by the club last season.
The squad, managed by José Mourinho, returns to their home stadium this Saturday, October 11, to host Villarreal after four weeks away. However, following a Champions League fixture against RB Leipzig on October 22, the stadium will remain empty of football matches until a La Liga clash against Celta Vigo on November 22. This period includes high-stakes away fixtures at Camp Nou and Mestalla.
Real Madrid Faces Several Away Games Through November
Following the Villarreal match, Real Madrid travels to Rome for a Champions League fixture on October 14. The team will then play two consecutive home games against Sevilla on October 18 and RB Leipzig. After the Leipzig match, the club enters a stretch of away games.
The upcoming road trip includes the Clásico against Barcelona on October 25, followed by matches against Racing on November 1, AEK Athens on November 4, and Valencia on November 7 or 8. On the same day the team visits Mestalla to face Valencia, the Santiago Bernabéu is scheduled to host an NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons.
Following a break for national team duties, Real Madrid is scheduled to return to the Bernabéu for three straight matches against Celta Vigo, PSV Eindhoven, and Alavés.
Xabi Alonso’s Previous Results Crisis
The current calendar resembles a difficult stretch from last season under Xabi Alonso. During that period, the team played six consecutive away matches, securing only two victories. This slump caused Real Madrid to drop from a five-point lead over Barcelona to trailing their rivals by one point within a single month.
The team entered that period with strong momentum, having won 13 of 14 matches, excluding a derby loss. This run included a 1-0 win over Juventus, a 2-1 victory in the Clásico, and a dominant performance against Valencia. The only reported internal friction during that time was a disrespectful reaction from Vinicius toward Alonso when the player was substituted during the match against Barcelona.
The Sequence of the Former Slump
The decline began with a 0-1 loss in Liverpool. This was followed by two draws: a 0-0 result against Rayo Vallecano and a 2-2 draw with Elche, with international breaks occurring between these fixtures. While a 4-3 Champions League win over Olympiakos suggested a recovery, a 1-1 draw at Girona resulted in the team losing the top spot in the league standings.
The six-match away streak ended with a 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés. However, the return to the Bernabéu did not immediately resolve the crisis; the team suffered two consecutive home losses, falling 0-2 to Celta Vigo and 1-2 to Manchester City.
Comparing the Scheduling Challenges
| Detail | Last Season (Alonso) | Current Season (Mourinho) |
|---|---|---|
| Away Stretch | 6 consecutive matches | Clásico, Racing, AEK, Valencia |
| Home Gap | Severe results crisis | One month (Oct 22 – Nov 22) |
| Key Opponent | Celta Vigo (Home loss) | Celta Vigo (Scheduled return match) |
Remaining Uncertainties
Whether José Mourinho can manage the squad's rotation and psychological state to avoid the dip in form that affected Xabi Alonso during a similar travel-heavy period is unclear. The team’s ability to maintain its position in the standings will depend on the results at Camp Nou and Mestalla before the November return to the Bernabéu.
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