November 6, 2024: After Real Madrid’s disappointing 1-3 defeat to AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) at the Santiago Bernabeu, head coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged that his side is struggling to find the same defensive solidity that has been a hallmark of the club for years.
Despite a spirited performance, Vinicius Junior‘s solitary goal for Los Merengues was overshadowed by goals from Malick Thiaw, Alvaro Morata, and Tijjani Reijnders for the Italian side.
In the post-match press conference, Ancelotti admitted that something was missing in his team’s performance and expressed concern about their defensive vulnerability. He said, “The reality is what we’re seeing on the pitch and something is lacking. We have to fix it. It’s going to be a long night, that’s normal. We all have to think about how we can improve things and find that solidity we had for such a long time, and that we’re lacking right now.”
Ancelotti emphasized that Real Madrid has conceded 9 goals in recent matches, which he described as “far too many” for a team traditionally built on defensive strength. He continued, “We’re struggling to find that solidity.”
Despite creating numerous chances in the match, Ancelotti highlighted that the team lacked a clinical edge in front of goal. However, the key issue, as he pointed out, was Real Madrid’s defensive fragility. He noted that AC Milan was able to exploit gaps in their defense far too easily. “We created a lot of chances and lacked a bit of a clinical edge, but the key thing is how easily our opponents are finding attacking outlets. That’s our main issue and we have to fix it.”
Ancelotti’s remarks reflect a sense of frustration, as Real Madrid’s defensive line, usually their backbone, has looked vulnerable this season, particularly in recent games where they have allowed too many goals.
Despite the disappointing result, the veteran manager expressed hope that Real Madrid could turn things around and return to their competitive best. “We have faith this team is going to improve and compete in every competition, just like it always has done,” Ancelotti stated, reinforcing his belief in the team’s potential for recovery and growth.
Currently, Real Madrid sits in 17th place in their UEFA Champions League group with 6 points, having won 2 out of 4 games so far. Their recent struggles have left them with a lot of work to do in order to secure their place in the knockout stages of the competition.
The team’s next challenge comes in La Liga on November 9, where they will face Osasuna. Ancelotti and his squad will need to address their defensive issues quickly if they are to stay competitive across all fronts this season.
With the team underperforming defensively, Ancelotti’s tactical adjustments and his ability to stabilize the backline will be critical in the coming weeks as they strive for improvement both in the UCL and La Liga.
