Tensions Rise at the Bernabéu: A Divided Fanbase

The Bernabéu Stadium has once again expressed its displeasure towards its players. As the team took to the field for warm-ups, the jeers from the sparse crowd, which had gathered half an hour before the match, were unmistakable. This discontent echoed when Arbeloa’s players retreated to the locker room.

During the lineup announcements, it was Vinicius and Bellingham who faced the brunt of the crowd’s frustration, with the atmosphere significantly milder towards the other players and Arbeloa. Only the acknowledgment of Alcaraz’s triumph at the Australian Open provided a brief respite with applause ringing through the stands just before the match commenced. However, following the tribute to the Spanish tennis player, a fresh wave of boos resonated loudly before the kickoff, indicating the fans’ dissatisfaction stemming from recent events in Lisbon against Benfica, suggesting a challenging environment once again at the Bernabéu.

Once the match began, the crowd’s sentiments were palpable with every touch of the ball by players like Huijsen and Camavinga, culminating in louder reactions directed at Vinicius. Notably, the Brazilian received a more favorable reception after a promising play, contrasting sharply with previous encounters. The tension in the air was evident, especially following a clear opportunity for Rayo in the fifth minute. Nevertheless, a significant portion of the audience opted for a peaceful coexistence with the team. Bellingham’s injury exemplified this sentiment, as he was greeted with more applause than boos when he had to exit the field early in the game.

The atmosphere bore little resemblance to the hostility experienced during the match against Levante two weeks prior, which was anything but ordinary. Following a disappointing Copa exit and a Supercopa final loss, the majority of the crowd had greeted the team with a resounding chorus of boos. Only the anthem played over the loudspeakers managed to momentarily overshadow the protest. Once the music faded, the discontent of the Bernabéu was unmistakable, with fans waving white handkerchiefs and booing the support section, which attempted to counter the negativity with applause. The environment proved to be challenging for the team, particularly for specific players.

The lineup announcements served as a gauge for what lay ahead, as Bellingham and Vinicius faced a monumental backlash, enduring ninety minutes of near-constant reproach. The Brazilian in particular bore the brunt of the crowd’s ire, facing jeers every time he touched the ball.

The ongoing tension between the fans and the team was palpable, extending even to the executive box, which was not spared from the Bernabéu’s frustration. As the match progressed, shouts of “Florentino, resign!” could be heard. Real Madrid managed to secure a victory amid an unprecedented level of hostility. While there was a brief lull in this animosity during the subsequent match against Monaco, discontent surged again with the recent painful defeat to Benfica, which eliminated Madrid from the top eight.