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Champions No More?
Real Madrid were expected to dominate this season after clinching both the Spanish league and the Champions League titles last year. With the addition of Kylian Mbappé, a player they had pursued for three years, hopes were high. However, following two heavy defeats at the Bernabéu—first to Barcelona and then to AC Milan—questions are being raised about the team’s trajectory and Carlo Ancelotti’s tactics.
Defeats Raise Eyebrows
After their recent loss to AC Milan, Ancelotti expressed his concern, stating, “What’s not so normal is that this team had a very good run and has fallen so fast.” His comments reflect a broader sense of unease around the squad, who now find themselves trailing La Liga leaders Barcelona by nine points and languishing in the bottom half of the Champions League table.
Mbappé: A Double-Edged Sword?
Mbappé’s arrival was seen as the missing piece in Madrid’s puzzle, yet his integration has been anything but smooth. Although he has scored eight goals in all competitions, his shot conversion rate has plummeted from 21% at Paris Saint-Germain to just 11.42% at Madrid. His performance against Barcelona was particularly concerning, where he was caught offside an astonishing eight times—more than any player in Europe’s top leagues in eight years.
Expert Opinions: It’s Not Just Mbappé
Spanish football expert Terry Gibson weighed in on the situation, asserting that blaming Mbappé alone is misleading. He noted, “There are loads of reasons why they are faltering.” Ancelotti’s struggle to find a cohesive system has complicated matters further, leaving the team looking disjointed.
Bellingham’s Diminished Form
Another player facing scrutiny is Jude Bellingham, who shone last season but has yet to find the net this campaign. The England international’s struggles can be attributed to fatigue from the summer and subsequent injuries, but even when fit, he appears out of sorts. Ancelotti’s inability to define a clear role for him has left Bellingham frustrated, as highlighted by Thierry Henry’s comments on CBS.
Injuries and Inconsistency Plague the Squad
Real Madrid’s issues extend beyond individual players. Injuries to key figures like Luka Modric and Dani Carvajal have forced Ancelotti to shuffle his lineup, disrupting any semblance of stability. Gibson believes that a more effective formation could involve Tchouameni, Camavinga, and Valverde, with Bellingham at the tip of the midfield diamond. However, the lack of a right-back is a glaring issue that needs addressing in the January transfer window.
Pressure Mounts on Ancelotti
Despite his illustrious career, Ancelotti is not immune to criticism. Rumours are swirling about a potential return for Zinedine Zidane, while fans are also keeping an eye on Xabi Alonso’s success at Bayer Leverkusen. Gibson remarked, “It looks like a group of players making it up as they go along,” and the mounting pressure is palpable.
Off-Pitch Tensions
The unrest isn’t confined to the pitch. The club’s public reaction to Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win, which involved boycotting the ceremony after Vinicius failed to win, exposed deeper issues within the squad. Additionally, Fede Valverde’s wife’s social media outburst about his position in the team reflects growing discontent among players and their families.
Youth Talent Left on the Bench
Real Madrid’s youth prospects, such as Endrick and Arda Guler, have seen limited action, raising eyebrows compared to rivals like Barcelona, who have successfully integrated their young talents. Gibson criticizes Ancelotti for not utilising these players effectively, questioning why Endrick is not given a fair chance in the starting lineup.
The Road Ahead
As Real Madrid navigates through this turbulent period, the club must address both on-pitch tactics and off-pitch morale. With the right adjustments and a return to form, they could still salvage their season. However, time is running out for Ancelotti to find the magic formula that will restore Madrid to their former glory.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://3pointsforawin.com/from-everton-to-china-tyias-brownings-remarkable-journey/
