Six months after winning the Champions League, Real Madrid are facing a crisis. The 0-4 defeat to Barcelona in El Clásico at the end of October and the 1-3 defeat to Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu reveal difficulties for Carlo Ancelotti’s team. In addition to the losses, Kylian Mbappé’s performance is a concern: the Frenchman has scored just one goal in the last six games, reflecting the team’s tactical imbalance.
Real Madrid’s defense is fragile, allowing too many goals, with players like Lucas Vázquez and Éder Militão far from their best. Dani Carvajal’s injury and Ferland Mendy’s poor form also make stability difficult. In midfield, the absence of Toni Kroos, who retired in the summer, is felt. According to Jorge Valdano, Kroos was essential for balance and control of the pace, a quality that Fede Valverde has failed to maintain.
Ancelotti has faced criticism for his lack of solutions. He admits that the team needs to be more organised in defence and work together: “The players need to step up and I need to do that with them.” However, Jude Bellingham’s adaptation to Mbappé’s arrival has complicated the scheme, as Mbappé prefers the left wing, where Vinicius Junior is at his best, weakening the team’s defensive pressure.
With Barcelona ahead in LaLiga and two defeats in the Champions League, Real Madrid are facing a decisive phase. The upcoming games against Osasuna and Leganés, and the clash against Liverpool at Anfield, will be crucial for Ancelotti and his team.