Nothing is right in the White House. In just ten days it broke down, unable to resist the assaults of Barcelona, the great winner of the Clasico (4-0), and Milan (3-1) this Tuesday evening in the Champions League. Not to mention his image, crushed by the scandal surrounding the Ballon d’Or not returned to one of its members. The foundations still hold up but for how long? “We’re not well,” coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted in the evening.
An implacable observation that the Italian must now resolve as quickly as possible. Do you have the means? At Real Madrid, two defeats in a row are a big problem and there are many questions, just four months after the 15th Champions League win against Borussia Dortmund (2-0).
Kylian Mbappé’s role is annoying
The Bondy boy has finally achieved what he calls “his dream” by joining Real Madrid this summer. A dream that for the moment is turning into a nightmare. Kylian Mbappé has 8 goals in 15 appearances in all competitions but has scored only once in his last six outings, offside against Barça and transparent against Milan.
But it is above all the role of the aggressor that raises questions. Placed in the number 9 (like his shirt), as a true center forward, the 25-year-old Frenchman is faced with a harsh reality: “Mbappé is not a real number 9”, said Karim Benzema on Monday, encouraging everyone the same “not surrender”.
On Tuesday evening, Thierry Henry also highlighted the mistakes of one of his heirs on the CBS channel. “We must give him time but at the same time he must learn to play like a number 9, have the will and desire to project himself”, believes the 1998 world champion. A role that Mbappé has little mastered and which is starting to cause him to generate frustration among his teammates team, according to Thierry Henry, especially Jude Bellingham. “The problem is collective,” replies coach Ancelotti.
Carlo Ancelotti in the dock
Being a coaching legend doesn’t protect you when you coach Real Madrid. “The coach has a responsibility,” recalls former player Jorge Valdano, on Movistar +. This is always the case when there is disorder in the team. He is responsible for building this team. And there’s not much balance. »
Pedrag Mijatovic, another former big name of the club, has ”the feeling that the team is slipping from the hands of Carlo Ancelotti”, broadcast on Cadena Ser. “After two or three splendid seasons the team is relaxing, this is clear”, he adds . I don’t know if Ancelotti will have the ability to react, to restart a process and re-motivate his players. »
“We’re not good,” Carlo Ancelotti readily admits. We are not able to produce effective collective work (…) We must defend ourselves better, because it is fundamental. We must look for solutions to have a stronger team. (…) We must improve tactically, it is not an individual problem, but a question of sacrifice, concentration and collective work. » «It will be a long night», he even admitted. Can we disembark? The question will arise quickly if the crisis continues. This is not yet on the agenda.
Is the workforce capable of responding?
“If we continue like this it will be difficult to get to the end of the season. » With this sentence, in the press conference, Carlo Ancelotti spoke more about the match than the state of the squad. But it works just as well. Is the group strong enough in quality and number?
In defence, a priori, the answer is negative and this is demonstrated by the seven goals conceded in two games. Dani Carvajal’s serious injury (for the season) has left a huge void in the right back position. Volunteer, Lucas Vazquez does not have the same qualities and suffers against opposing attackers. As for the defense axis, behind Eder Militao and Antonio Rüdiger, there is the D system in the prolonged absence of David Alaba.
Another point of tension: the midfield. “The presence of Toni Kroos was therapeutic,” explains Jorge Valdano. He gave the team patience when they needed it and picked up the pace when necessary. Real Madrid have lost a lot without Kroos and no one is able to make up for it. » First of all Aurélien Tchouameni, pointed out by much of the specialized Madrid press and judged responsible for Milan’s first two goals on Tuesday evening. Substituted at half-time, he would also start to bother internally, according to Relevo.
In short, it’s a crisis at Real Madrid and time is running out. With nine points behind (and one game less) from Barça in the league and a dismal 17th place (out of 36) provisional in the Champions League before a hot trip to Liverpoolthe fear of the Juventus season already resonates in the heads of the fans.
Interview: Time.news Editor and Football Expert on Real Madrid’s Crisis
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to today’s interview. We have with us a renowned football expert to dissect the current situation at Real Madrid. Let’s dive right in. It’s been a turbulent few days for the club, especially after those back-to-back defeats against Barcelona and Milan. What do you make of Carlo Ancelotti’s comments about the team’s performance?
Football Expert (FE): Thank you for having me. Ancelotti’s candid admission that “we’re not well” is quite telling. It reflects not just the pressure he’s under but also the increasing sense of urgency within the club. Real Madrid has a culture of excellence, and losing two matches in such a manner is certainly not something they take lightly.
TNE: Absolutely. The pressure seems to be mounting not just on the coach but also on the players. Kylian Mbappé, for instance, has had a rocky start since his much-anticipated transfer. What are your thoughts on his adaptation to the role of a center forward?
FE: That’s an interesting point. While Mbappé is undoubtedly a talented player, the transition to a number nine position appears to be challenging for him. As Karim Benzema noted, he’s not a traditional center forward. Thierry Henry’s comments highlight that it’s not just about individual talent; it’s about understanding the role within the team dynamics. His recent performances, particularly being offside against Barcelona and being rather invisible against Milan, have certainly frustrated fans and teammates alike.
TNE: Do you think the frustration is affecting team morale, especially considering Ancelotti has implied that this is a collective issue?
FE: Definitely. Team morale is crucial, especially when formations aren’t working as intended. If key players like Jude Bellingham are getting frustrated, it can lead to a negative atmosphere in the locker room. Ancelotti’s acknowledgment that the team is not functioning as a unit points to deeper issues—it’s not just the tactics but also a need for cohesion and sacrifice among the players.
TNE: Speaking of Ancelotti, there’s been increasing scrutiny over his coaching. How do you assess his responsibilities in this situation?
FE: Ancelotti’s pedigree as a coach is undeniable, but as Jorge Valdano and Pedrag Mijatovic pointed out, when a team struggles, the manager’s accountability becomes paramount. The lack of balance in the team and the apparent relaxation after previous successes could suggest that perhaps Ancelotti hasn’t been able to instill the necessary hunger in the squad. It’s a tough spot for him, as a legendary coach, to reignite that fire.
TNE: He mentioned needing to improve tactically and collectively. How do you see that playing out in the upcoming matches?
FE: Well, it’s all about how quickly they can adapt. Ancelotti’s experience will be crucial here; he needs to implement a tactical framework that maximizes the strengths of his players while minimizing weaknesses. The upcoming matches will likely reveal whether the team can rally together and correct their course. If they can’t find a way to counter these struggles, it could detrimentally affect their season-ending aspirations.
TNE: And what about the squad depth? Is the current roster capable of turning this situation around?
FE: That’s a million-dollar question. While they have star players, individual talent alone won’t suffice if the team lacks synergy and commitment. The real test will be whether the players can respond collectively under pressure. If they can’t come together, it might require significant changes, either through tactics or personnel, as the season progresses.
TNE: Thank you so much for your insights today. It’ll be interesting to see how this story unfolds in the coming weeks, especially for Real Madrid and the players involved.
FE: My pleasure! We’re all watching closely, and hopefully, for the fans’ sake, they can turn things around soon.