Real Madrid is already walking into the final stretch of the season, headed toward a second trophy-less season, with Barcelona nine points ahead with seven matchdays remaining.

Thus, a few conclusions will be drawn from what remains when it comes to decision-making ahead, which not only logically affects the future of Alvaro Arbeloa, the last to arrive with little time to implement his methods, but also Madrid's decision not to continue with him, barring a major surprise.

After ending Carlo Ancelotti's tenure, Real Madrid decided the team needed to strengthen its defense. For that, three of the four market reinforcements were for the back line.

By cost order: Huijsen (€62 million from Bournemouth), Carreras (€50 million, Benfica), and Trent (arrived on a free, but Madrid paid €5 million for him to play in the Club World Cup, €10 million according to Liverpool). The most exciting reinforcement, however, was Mastantuono, a gem from River Plate, for whom Madrid paid around €63 million, including transfer fees and taxes.

In the most decisive match of the season, last Wednesday against Bayern, only Trent was in the starting 11. Mastantuono came on in the 89th minute in search of a miracle, and Huijsen and Carreras did not appear.

That sums up a more than irregular campaign from which the former Liverpool player is not spared either, although he has earned his spot in this final month. Each has had his own path, but none has been spared from doubts and whistles from the Bernabeu, some more than others.

Xabi Alonso bet big on the three defensive reinforcements and on Mastantuono. Huijsen, moreover, took advantage of injuries to Rudiger and Militao in defense to settle in quickly despite his youth.

It was a bet everyone applauded after he established himself so young with Luis de la Fuente, but with the return of those two and doubts in high-stakes matches, he lost presence in the final stretch and heard whistles from the Bernabeu crowd.

Something similar happened with Carreras. Matches like the derby or Bayern in the first leg did not help him, even though he has almost always been the first option. However, Mendy, with barely five matches throughout the campaign, has ended up convincing Arbeloa to play in the first leg against City or in this duel against Bayern.

In Trent's case, injuries have not helped him in this first campaign either. Unlike the other three reinforcements, he has only earned his spot at the end after starting with Xabi in the Club World Cup. His defensive work has raised doubts, and his best attributes — his striking of the ball and his bursts forward — have shown signs only at the end, when it was already too late.

Mastantuono's decline is steeper than that of any other reinforcement. He was always present in Xabi's best Madrid, when they were leaders. Even though he did not shine excessively offensively, the Tolosa native valued his effort and work rate.

It all seemed a matter of time. However, the decline began under Xabi. He fell out of the starting 11 in the Clasico, and shortly after came his pubic discomfort. Not being at 100%, he lost his step.

The arrival of Arbeloa did not change the trend; rather, it increased. And even more so after his red card in stoppage time in the home defeat against Getafe, which was unnecessary. A two-match ban. He has not found a place on the right wing, and in the center, where he feels most comfortable, he has too many competitors.

The most positive thing is that he is a future bet for the club. The norm is that this first year will be considered an adaptation period, and that with a more unleashed team, he will show more things to avoid what would undoubtedly be a resounding failure.

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