Would the Copa del Rey Title Be Enough?

Back in the 2010/2011 season, José Mourinho's Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey. They fell against Barcelona in the Liga BBVA title and also in the Champions League Semifinals. But they never stood a chance against a much-better FC Barcelona who won the Champions League that season. This year, Ancelotti and his players keep wasting chance after chance.

Levante did Real a big favor by beating Atlético. If Real Madrid were to win every single game, they would only need another draw by Simeone's team in order to win the title. And then, they drew at home against a Valencia squad that played on Thursday. And you can consider it a lucky draw, because Ronaldo scored the equalizer in injury time. Therefore, Real Madrid now need to win all three games and wait for Atlético to lose one of their two matches remaining. The last one of those two matches is at the Camp Nou against Barcelona. But questions about the blaugranes' ability -and even willingness- to beat Atlético arise. After all, if Real Madrid beat Valladolid and Celta Vigo on the road first, the last game against Espanyol at the Bernabéu will be manageable. So will Barcelona want to help Real Madrid's cause and beat Atlético? Probably not. And if they want to, will they be able to beat them? Hard to predict, but they have failed against them so far.

All things considered, and after games like the loss at Sevilla or this draw against Valencia, Real Madrid fans have every right to be frustrated. Win La Décima and that frustration will turn into real excitement. The season will be a success if Ancelotti and his players manage to win the European title. But should they lose it against Atlético, and it will feel like another big chance wasted. The real success of the season will be on the line on May 24th. Ancelotti will surely be in charge again for the 2014/2015, but some players' future on the club might depend on that very game. For instance, if Asier Illarramendi starts that Final and puts on a bad performance again, it will be hard to get the fanbase's trust back.

Fair or not, this is just the way it goes. This could have been the year for Real Madrid to win the treble. And it might still happen. The fans will surely forget about those Liga stinkers if they get their hands on the big-eared trophy.