After the sensational comeback against Paris Saint-Germain, Madrid were euphoric. They had defeated considered one of Europe's elite, humiliated an financial rival, neutralised Lionel Messi and, many believed, satisfied Kylian Mbappe.
They have been approximately to win La Liga and looked contenders inside the Champions League too.
Three weeks later, the gain in the league is still intact way to a scruffy, albeit morale-boosting, win over Celta Vigo on Saturday. But Ancelotti's credit has all-however evaporated.
Real Madrid had been ready till Tuesday to determine if their educate can be able to journey to the primary leg of their Champions League area-final in opposition to Chelsea on Wednesday, after he tested tremendous for Covid final week.
The final results of the tie should determine if he maintains as coach next season.
It says some thing approximately the load of the Clasico fixture that 8 months of largely wonderful paintings may be almost absolutely erased with the aid of one, disastrous, 90 mins.
There has been complaint of Ancelotti - of Madrid's counter-attacking fashion, his lack of rotation and, specially, the manner of the passive first-leg defeat by way of PSG - however a dominant role in La Liga had generally stored the sceptics in check.
Losing 4-zero to Barcelona, even though, on the Santiago Bernabeu, while Madrid should without difficulty have shipped six or seven, has introduced doubts to the fore, no longer least because that result served as a warning for what can be to come back.
Barca are 11 points behind Real Madrid in the table but it is Xavi Hernandez's resurgent young aspect who are finishing the season because the strongest group in Spain.
For Ancelotti, the Clasico defeat way prevailing La Liga may additionally not be sufficient. How they win the title, with 8 video games to go, and how they fare against Chelsea will now body how the primary 12 months of Ancelotti's second tenure is regarded.
