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Real Madrid are currently doing well against lower and medium-reputed teams with score lines like 3-0 against Mallorca, 5-0 against CD Minera, 2-1 against Valencia, 4-2 against Sevilla and 3-0 against Pachuca.
But this season, against highly reputed names like Athletica Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, and Liverpool, Real Madrid struggled hugely. What's gone wrong with Carlo Ancelotti's team?
Let's analyze that.
Carlo Ancelotti with Real Madrid so far
In two spells in charge at Madrid, between 2013 and 2015, and from 2021, Ancelotti has lifted three Champions League trophies, two LaLiga titles, two Copa del Reys, two Spanish Super Copas, three UEFA Super Cups, two Club World Cups, and now the Intercontinental Cup.
Read Also | Brazil football team news: Seleção consider hiring someone close to Ancelotti as coach according to sources
But this season, Ancelotti's team looks in a different shape. Even though Real Madrid are challenging for the La Liga title, and currently at the second spot, they are struggling against the highly reputed teams.
The expectation for top teams in Europe, like Madrid, is at least to win the home league and cup and reach the semis of the Champions League.
But Real Madrid have currently lost the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona, and they could be relegated from the Champions League as well.
Tactical Analysis of Carlo Ancelotti's past and present formations
During the 2023/2024 season, Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid showcased a remarkable blend of formations and adaptability. Primarily set up in a versatile 4-3-3 formation, Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid fluidly shifts into various structures like 4-5-1 or 3-5-2 or a 4-3-2-1, adapting as the game calls for.
Read Also | Carlo Ancelotti to be the next Brazil Manager?
But this season, Carlo Ancelotti’s refusal to change his approach in these moments has left the team vulnerable in key fixtures. Whether it’s his preference for a 4-3-3 or his insistence on specific player roles, the lack of tactical flexibility has been a recurring issue. And the major teams are taking advantage of this vulnerability with the team.
Squad Issues
Real Madrid has had a number of injuries to key players in the 2024–2025 season. Players like Luka Modric are also getting aged. The team is over-reliant more on star players like Vinicius Jr., Bellingham, and Mbappe.
The bench looks moderate, enabling poor squad depth that impacted big games, which means a poor summer transfer business and strong reinforcement required in this ongoing transfer window.
Read Also | Oldest players to play for Real Madrid: Luka Modrić surpass Ferenc Puskás
The team mentally looks fragile and hunger less, and Mbappe struggles under pressure, enabling a shift in leadership and approach under Carlo Ancelotti, which is a contrast if we compare this team with the previous campaign.
Statistcal Break Down- Madrid's Past two Matches
Match against Bigger Team: Barcelona
| Statistic | Team A | Team B |
|---|---|---|
| Ball Possession (%) | 49% | 51% |
| Big Chances | 3 | 6 |
| Total Shots | 19 | 14 |
| Shots on Target | 6 | 8 |
| Hit Woodwork | 1 | 0 |
| Shots off Target | 7 | 3 |
| Blocked Shots | 6 | 3 |
| Shots Inside Box | 13 | 10 |
| Shots Outside Box | 6 | 4 |
| Big Chances Scored | 5 | 2 |
| Big Chances Missed | 1 | 1 |
| Through Balls | 1 | 2 |
| Touches in Penalty Area | 20 | 30 |
| Fouled in Final Third | 4 | 3 |
| Offsides | 1 | 1 |
| Accurate Passes | 344 | 376 |
| Throw-ins | 23 | 17 |
| Final Third Entries | 55 | 51 |
| Total Tackles | 9 | 15 |
| Interceptions | 8 | 3 |
| Recoveries | 42 | 46 |
| Clearances | 16 | 19 |
| Errors Leading to Shot | 0 | 1 |
| Errors Leading to Goal | 0 | 1 |
| Goalkeeper Saves | 3 | 5 |
| Big Saves | 2 | 2 |
| High Claims | 1 | 1 |
| Goal Kicks | 7 | 7 |
| Corner Kicks | 9 | 5 |
| Fouls | 14 | 13 |
| Yellow Cards | 5 | 4 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 1 |
Match against Bigger Team: Mallorca
| Category | Team A | Team B | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possession | 65% | 35% | Team A dominated ball possession. |
| Shots (Total) | 28 | 8 | Team A was inefficient with their chances. |
| Shots on Target | 11 | 0 | |
| Big Chances Created | 6 | 1 | Team A missed more big chances. |
| Big Chances Scored | 2 | 0 | |
| Tackles | 14 | 8 | Team A had more defensive tackles. |
| Clearances | 14 | 30 | Team B was under pressure but cleared well. |
| Recoveries | 44 | 39 | |
| Accurate Passes | 491 | 232 | Team A controlled midfield. |
| Final Third Entries | 74 | 37 | Team A had better attacking entries. |
| Fouls | 12 | 14 | A moderately physical game. |
| Yellow Cards | 4 | 2 | |
| Duels Won | 61% | 39% | Team A dominated individual battles. |
Carlo Ancelotti’s Perspective
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said that only Kylian Mbappe turned up for the Spanish Super Cup final while the rest of the team disappointed in their 5-2 defeat against Barcelona.
“You have to defend well to win these games. Barcelona deserved to win; they defended better than us. The team is not looking good, but I’m not going to point the finger at anyone."
"Mbappe had a good game, he was probably the only one who played well. I’m not going to name names on this, but we were not good from the first minute, and did not perform,” Ancelotti said.
💥 ANCELOTTI, MUY AUTOCRÍTICO:
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) January 12, 2025
"Esta es la realidad, no hemos defendido bien y por eso han marcado de manera sencilla".
¡Nos vemos a las 12 de la noche en MEGA! pic.twitter.com/EYFXqvX3Kb
Potential Solutions and Path Forward
Speaking to the media on Friday, Ancelotti said, "I think we found the solution. Now we have to show this on the pitch.
"Sacrifice, focus and collective effort. This is the key. It's a difficult moment for us… but I'm happy to be here at the best club in the world."
Ancelotti in press conference now:
— Dr Yash (@YashRMFC) January 12, 2025
"We are now playing the way we wanted to play." pic.twitter.com/GnmlG5Uvbg
What Next for Madrid and Ancelotti?
The defending La Liga champions will be in action next when they take on Osasuna at the Bernabeu on Saturday, October 9 as they look to chase down leaders Barcelona heading into the November international break.
Can Real Madrid bounce back from this terrible situation? What Ancelotti plans next?? Questions are many that needs to be resolved as soon as possible.
| Rank | Club | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlético de Madrid | +19 | 44 |
| 2 | Real Madrid | +24 | 43 |
| 3 | FC Barcelona | +29 | 38 |
| 4 | Athletic Bilbao | +12 | 36 |
| 5 | Villarreal CF | +3 | 30 |
| 6 | RCD Mallorca | -2 | 30 |
| 7 | Real Sociedad | +4 | 28 |
| 8 | Girona FC | +2 | 28 |
| 9 | Rayo Vallecano | 0 | 25 |
| 10 | Real Betis Balompié | -2 | 25 |
| 11 | CA Osasuna | -5 | 25 |
| 12 | Celta de Vigo | -2 | 24 |
| 13 | Sevilla FC | -7 | 23 |
| 14 | UD Las Palmas | -5 | 22 |
| 15 | Getafe CF | -3 | 19 |
| 16 | CD Leganés | -11 | 19 |
| 17 | Deportivo Alavés | -10 | 17 |
| 18 | RCD Espanyol Barcelona | -14 | 16 |
| 19 | Real Valladolid CF | -24 | 15 |
| 20 | Valencia CF | -11 | 13 |
| Rank | Club | GP | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool FC | 6 | +12 | 18 |
| 2 | FC Barcelona | 6 | +14 | 15 |
| 3 | Arsenal FC | 6 | +9 | 13 |
| 4 | Bayer 04 Leverkusen | 6 | +7 | 13 |
| 5 | Aston Villa | 6 | +6 | 13 |
| 6 | Inter Milan | 6 | +6 | 13 |
| 7 | Stade Brestois 29 | 6 | +4 | 13 |
| 8 | LOSC Lille | 6 | +3 | 13 |
| 9 | Borussia Dortmund | 6 | +9 | 12 |
| 10 | Bayern Munich | 6 | +9 | 12 |
| 11 | Atlético de Madrid | 6 | +4 | 12 |
| 12 | AC Milan | 6 | +3 | 12 |
| 13 | Atalanta BC | 6 | +9 | 11 |
| 14 | Juventus FC | 6 | +4 | 11 |
| 15 | SL Benfica | 6 | +3 | 10 |
| 16 | AS Monaco | 6 | +2 | 10 |
| 17 | Sporting CP | 6 | +2 | 10 |
| 18 | Feyenoord Rotterdam | 6 | -1 | 10 |
| 19 | Club Brugge KV | 6 | -2 | 10 |
| 20 | Real Madrid | 6 | +1 | 9 |
| 21 | Celtic FC | 6 | 0 | 9 |
| 22 | Manchester City | 6 | +4 | 8 |
| 23 | PSV Eindhoven | 6 | +2 | 8 |
| 24 | GNK Dinamo Zagreb | 6 | -5 | 8 |
| 25 | Paris Saint-Germain | 6 | 0 | 7 |
| 26 | VfB Stuttgart | 6 | -3 | 7 |
| 27 | Shakhtar Donetsk | 6 | -8 | 4 |
| 28 | AC Sparta Prague | 6 | -11 | 4 |
| 29 | SK Sturm Graz | 6 | -5 | 3 |
| 30 | Girona FC | 6 | -6 | 3 |
| 31 | Red Star Belgrade | 6 | -9 | 3 |
| 32 | Red Bull Salzburg | 6 | -15 | 3 |
| 33 | Bologna FC 1909 | 6 | -6 | 2 |
| 34 | RB Leipzig | 6 | -7 | 0 |
| 35 | Slovan Bratislava | 6 | -16 | 0 |
| 36 | BSC Young Boys | 6 | -19 | 0 |
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