More than a defeat. Sunday evening, Real Madrid lost to Atlético de Madrid in the derby (3-1). In addition to losing three points and a very important match in the eyes of the entire club, this setback highlighted many problems. We knew them more or less. But the shortcomings were obvious to everyone on Sunday, especially the Spanish press. Since then, the media have multiplied articles to expose the many weak points of this Madrid team. This Tuesday, A.S. added a layer of it while specifying that this defeat agitated the club behind the scenes.
“Concern in the club over excessive and obvious weak points. Mental disconnections, a pattern that doesn’t work or players far from their best level.writes the Madrid daily before adding: “What happened at the Metropolitano spoke for itself. And this awakened a buzz which resonated in the corridors and reverberated even in the stands. This Madrid is a vulnerable colossus. A team with world-class players and, at the same time, obvious weaknesses. Weaknesses which have not been corrected and which are already generating nervousness within the club. Doubts. Nobody wants to raise the red alert.”
Ancelotti’s choices are disturbing
Same story on the side of Marca. “It’s been a strange last 24 hours at the club. A sepulchral silence. A general malaise. With uncertainty around a project that collapsed after its first major review. This is a team with many stars and many weaknesses. Who makes too many mistakes. So many worries. A period of reflection has opened on what exists and how far the current team can go.. Real Madrid is not in crisis but concern has spread among the ranks of the club according to the press.
Obviously, the managers know that the team is not complete since several important players are injured (Courtois, Carvajal, Militão and Vinicius). But they think that doesn’t explain everything. They believe that the team is not up to par at the moment and they expect more from the players and the coach. The latter also annoyed his bosses with certain choices, particularly in the middle where Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were aligned. They did not expect that, they who rather want to bet on Aurélien Tchouameni.
The Mister is under pressure
Marca explain that “no one doubts Ancelotti”. But Real Madrid are unhappy and angry. Already last Friday, Florentino Pérez (president) and José Ángel Sánchez (DG) met the Italian at the Valdebebas training center. They had already discussed the squad and its decisions. His choices on Sunday were therefore annoying. Besides the Modric-Kroos duo, the other players present on the field were not up to standard. “Calm and tranquility does not mean that there is no discomfort or anger”writing Marca which speaks of a “serious warning sign”.
Carlo Ancelotti will have to raise the bar tomorrow against Las Palmas. His club criticizes him for his change of system and his starting eleven. But the Mister also makes do with the means at hand, between injuries and the fact that the club did not recruit a No.9 following the departure of Karim Benzema. As a reminder, Ancelotti wanted Harry Kane. If he is not yet threatened, Carlo Ancelotti will have to find solutions quickly. This will be important to hope to extend his contract which ends in 2024. But the Madrilenians have obviously already sealed his fate since Xabi Alonso is announced on the bench next year.
