After a truly dreadful El Clásico, Real Madrid find themselves in a familiar, yet deeply uncomfortable place. The latest chapter in this storied rivalry saw Barcelona clinch back-to-back La Liga titles, a feat that has become almost routine since 2009. Meanwhile, Madrid, clad in their iconic all-white strip, were left watching from a distance, unable to even catch the bouquet.

The match itself was as predictable as it was painful. With key players like Mbappé, Arda, Militão, and Valverde sidelined, the lineup felt more like a formality than a statement. Trent, Jude, Gonzalo, and Vinicius were tasked with providing the creative spark and goal-scoring threat, but it was clear from the first whistle that this was a team struggling to find its identity. For a club that has been in decline for two consecutive seasons, this performance was a stark reminder of how far they've fallen. Real Madrid have lost El Clásico many times before, but it's hard to recall a side so utterly outclassed lining up against their eternal rivals.

This wasn't just a bad day at the office—it was a season-long descent into mediocrity that began in January with the sacking of Xabi Alonso. Since then, the team has merely been going through the motions, showing up out of obligation rather than ambition. Calling the performance "anaemic" would be an understatement; it was an absolutely pathetic showing that left fans feeling depleted and disillusioned.

As the title of this piece suggests, it's "As You Were." The outcome of this Clásico changed nothing about the season or the team's trajectory. The club has managed to ruin what should have been a promising few years, and for fans, it's no longer funny—it's purely depressing. Alvaro Arbeloa summed up the mood perfectly when he spoke about his future, saying, "I'll have a conversation with the club soon. I want the team to win these last 3 games and give minutes to some players who haven't played a lot. We'll see what happens with my future at the end of May."

For now, Madridistas are left with very little to cling to. The season is over in all but name, and the only question that remains is whether the club can find a way to rebuild before the next campaign begins. Until then, we're stuck in a loop of disappointment, waiting for the dawn of a new era.