This season, Real Madrid hopes to retain its title and lift its sixteenth Champions League. Before getting there, there is still a long way to go. Especially since the residents of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium did not necessarily reassure during their first outing of the season in C1. Opposed to Stuttgart on Tuesday evening, the Merengues won 3 to 1. A score that does not necessarily reflect the physiognomy of the match since the Germans more than jostled the reigning European champions. They had several chances, which could have ended up in the back of the net if not for a great Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian was not necessarily helped by his defense, which was singled out yesterday by the Spanish press.
The same goes for the midfielder, who was a real “gruyere” for RelevoThe Iberian media added about the overall performance of the Madrid team: “The champion did not play like the champion, but he won like the champion (…) Ancelotti’s men beat a Stuttgart team, but they continue to show more flaws than virtues in their performances.” The lack of balance of the Spanish team was also mentioned. This is not the first time this season. Indeed, since the arrival of Kylian Mbappé, Carlo Ancelotti has aligned his fantastic four (KM9 with Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo). A team focused on the attack, but which is less solid in midfield and which exposes itself defensively.
Ancelotti will change things
Against Stuttgart, Real Madrid conceded 17 chances. All this gave Carlo Ancelotti food for thought, who believes that his team is finding it harder to win than before. Brand reveals this Thursday that the Mister is therefore looking for solutions and is seriously considering changing things so that his eleven is more balanced. He does not want a team that plays more defensively. He wants it to be much more solid. He has also noticed some problems at the back, but also up front, where he would like more effort and sacrifice from his players in terms of fallback work. Thus, his idea is to play with four midfielders. This will not be the case in every match.
The Italian wants to implement this especially outside or during key matches. Brand explains that the staff is already working on the subject in the Valdebebas training center. But this small revolution will have consequences. The Spanish publication indicates that one of the attacking players should be sacrificed. Mbappé and Vini Jr seem untouchable in the eyes of the 65-year-old coach. Jude Bellingham, for his part, will be used in midfield where he will have to do the defensive work as he was able to do last year while attacking in the offensive phases. Ancelotti wants more control and power in this sector of the game. As expected, it is a priori Rodrygo who will pay the price for this new organization.
