The Real Madrid have find themselv in a deepening crisis after a humiliating 4-0 loss to Barcelona in the Clasico at the end of October, Los Blancos.
This time, the Real Madrid have fallen 3-1 to AC Milan in the Champions League at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The result has placed immense pressure on manager Carlo Ancelotti, with Madrid's poor form threatening to derail their season. While the star-studded squad, including Kylian Mbappe, has failed to deliver, defensive and midfield issues are becoming increasingly evident.
Defensive Woes and Mbappe's Dry Spell
Real Madrid's defense has been leaking goals, having conceded nine in the last three matches, all played at home. Key players such as Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy are either injured or out of form, while Eder Militao has not looked fully fit. Ancelotti's side also struggles with a lack of cohesion in midfield, especially since the departure of Toni Kroos, whose ability to control the game's tempo is sorely missed.
In attack, Kylian Mbappe's form is a growing concern. The French forward, who arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, has scored only once in his last six appearances, a troubling statistic for a player expected to be Madrid's offensive focal point. Despite the Frenchman's struggles, Ancelotti has been unable to find a permanent role for Jude Bellingham, whose star performance last season has yet to be replicated this year.
Ancelotti Faces Increasing Scrutiny
Ancelotti admitted after the Milan defeat that the team’s lack of organization is a major issue. "The players have to take a step forward, and I have to with them," the coach said. "When there's no solidity, you have to have more organisation and work together."
With Madrid now nine points adrift of La Liga leaders Barcelona, the pressure on Ancelotti is intensifying. Former Madrid player and coach Jorge Valdano emphasized that the team's lack of balance, particularly in midfield, has been a key factor in their poor form. "Kroos' absence was underestimated," Valdano said. "Madrid are not capable of compensating for that, not even with some of the best players in the world."
Upcoming Fixtures Offer a Chance for Redemption
With La Liga matches against Osasuna and Leganes approaching after the international break, Real Madrid will have a chance to recover. However, the looming fixture against Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League promises to be another stern test for Ancelotti and his underperforming squad.
