Real Madrid’s recent performance has raised significant concerns among fans and analysts alike. The 3-1 defeat on home turf against AC Milan in the Champions League marks yet another setback, following the humbling 4-0 loss to rivals Barcelona in El Clásico. These two defeats have not only dented confidence but have also left Carlo Ancelotti questioning the stability and cohesiveness of his squad. At the Santiago Bernabeu, where Madrid historically thrives, the team appeared vulnerable, leaving supporters uneasy about their prospects.
The loss against Milan serves as a stark reminder of the team’s struggles. The scoring began with Malick Thiaw’s header putting AC Milan ahead, and despite Vinícius Júnior equalizing from the penalty spot, Madrid couldn’t sustain the momentum. Álvaro Morata regained the lead for the Italian side before halftime, demonstrating Madrid’s fragility. Tijani Reijnders put the game out of reach towards the end, emphasizing that Madrid currently faces existential issues both defensively and tactically.
Too Many Goals Conceded: Ancelotti’s Alarm Bell
Ancelotti’s assessment of the situation is blunt but necessary. He openly stated that his team “should be worried” as they grapple with a surge of goals conceded—nine in just three Champions League matches. This alarming statistic highlights a fundamental breakdown in defensive organization, something that has historically been a cornerstone of Madrid’s success. As he candidly expressed, “We have to be more solid, more compact. We’ve conceded a lot of goals.”
It’s not merely the number of goals but the manner in which they are conceded that is concerning. Opponents seem to find ways through Madrid’s defense effortlessly, and Ancelotti recognizes that a more robust structure is essential if the team is to transition from defending to attacking reliably. The failure to maintain discipline defensively ultimately places mounting pressure on an attacking unit that, while featuring talents like Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, fails to compensate for defensive lapses.
As if the Champions League woes weren’t enough, Madrid is struggling in La Liga, trailing leaders Barcelona by nine points. These mathematical and psychological pressures weigh heavily on the players and the coaching staff. Ancelotti’s declaration that “it isn’t about being patient or not” underscores the immediacy of the problems needing to be addressed. The disjointed nature of play is problematic and reveals psychological barriers within the team that must be broken down.
Despite the influx of talent with Mbappé’s arrival amplifying expectations, Ancelotti insists the dressing room environment remains healthy. However, it has become apparent that on-field execution desperately requires improvement. The depth of criticism from pundits and fans alike isn’t merely an inconvenience; it serves as a reflective lens through which the players must evaluate their commitment and performance.
For Real Madrid, a massive overhaul is not an immediate necessity, but a re-focusing on their core principles of defensiveness and teamwork is. Ancelotti’s calls for reflection and collective effort seem prudent; each player must own their role within the structure. The challenge moving forward is not just to regain form but to build resilience against adversity.
Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin’s comments about needing to analyze the defeats signal a critical turning point. It’s essential for the squad to undertake an intense review, not just to dwell on failures but to forge a path toward recovery and success. Real Madrid’s historical ethos demands nothing short of excellence, and now, more than ever, they must realign their focus to rise to this expectation.
The upcoming matches—host Osasuna in La Liga and face Liverpool in the Champions League—will test this rebounding spirit. Both fixtures could provide the opportunity to reclaim lost confidence or further deepen the crisis. For the sake of the fans, the club, and the players, they must strive towards a resurgence that honors the status of Real Madrid as one of football’s titans.
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