Real Madrid's season appeared disastrous a few weeks ago but if Carlo Ancelotti's side can finally beat rivals Barcelona in Sunday's La Liga Clasico, their title defence will be resuscitated.
Madrid were left licking their wounds after a Champions League quarter-final thrashing by Arsenal, and coach Ancelotti is poised to depart at the end of the season, but it could yet be with a major trophy in his hands.
Barcelona's European exit at the hands of Inter Milan on Tuesday brightened spirits in the Spanish capital and if Madrid can overhaul the Catalans at the top of the table, they could transform their season.
The nature of Madrid's rivalry with Barcelona means winning La Liga could either feel great or underwhelming, depending on how their nemesis fares in Europe.
With Barcelona's quadruple dream crushed by Inter, should Madrid defend their title they could even classify their season as a success.
The Catalans, who currently lead by four points with four matches remaining, would be left with only the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup, both of which they won by beating Real Madrid in the final.
To do that Madrid must manage something they have not been able to pull off all season — winning a Clasico.
"We will have a great opportunity, we have to prepare well — it's an almost decisive match," said Ancelotti.
The teams have faced off three times and Barcelona triumphed on each occasion, in the two aforementioned finals and in the first league clash at the Santiago Bernabeu in October.
Barcelona netted 12 goals across the four games, conceding four, with Hansi Flick's side outplaying Madrid on each occasion.
However their meeting in Seville in April in the Copa del Rey final was the closest Ancelotti's team have come.
Madrid took the game to extra-time and their Italian coach discovered a set-up which allowed his team to take Barca to the wire.
Operating in the second half with Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe as the forwards, and Rodrygo Goes substituted, Madrid found the balance they have badly lacked at times this season.
"The last match was competitive, we were very close to winning and I don't think we have to invent a lot of new things (tactically)," said Ancelotti.
"We have to try and play a serious game, and we will do so with all the confidence in the world.
"Despite all our problems, the fact we are here and we can fight in this match is something beautiful."
Last weekend against Celta Vigo Ancelotti also afforded Turkish 20-year-old Arda Guler a rare start and he impressed in midfield, providing impetus which the retired Toni Kroos gave last season, as Madrid won a La Liga and Champions League double.
Barcelona must show ambition
For weeks it has seemed a near-certainty that Barcelona will win La Liga but Real Madrid have clung on to their title defence hopes by their fingertips and arrive at Sunday's Clasico within reach of the Catalans.
After Hansi Flick's side suffered an agonising extra-time defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday, they need to steady themselves quickly to stop their season from crumbling.
Barcelona, who beat Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals, lead Los Blancos by four points at the top of the table with four matches remaining.
A home defeat on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium would not be the death knell for their title bid but would ramp up the pressure on Flick's young, relatively inexperienced charges.
"(We) have to go on, we have five days to prepare and we want to win it," said the German coach after the loss in Milan in one of the all-time classic Champions League semi-finals.
"(This defeat) must wake up the hunger to win the title, this is important for me."
After a slump towards the end of 2024, Barcelona were re-energised physically and mentally by the winter break.
Since January they have blown away virtually every team to cross their path, with a 24-match unbeaten streak.
Barcelona's hunger to win trophies has revealed itself in statistics.
The Catalans have completed the most sprints of any team in La Liga this season and covered the fifth most distance -- by contrast, Real Madrid have run the least and have the third fewest sprints. AFP
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