Written by 
Afolabi Ezekiel – November 30, 2024
After falling behind Barcelona in La Liga, Real Madrid have not displayed the kind of form that would suggest any genuine title challenge in the Champions League this season.
Much was expected from Los Blancos, especially after the signing of Kylian Mbappe to a team that won both La Liga and the Champions League last season. Signing such a superstar was sure to just pile on even more strength to an already intimidating team lineup. Real Madrid had the core of a youthful team meaning they were capable of ruling football for years.
However, the progress has not been that easy as it seemed at first. But although Mbappé has not helped the team increase the intensity of play to the extent they had hoped, their dominance has also not increased. Some problems within the squad have emerged especially in the match against Liverpool in the Champions League and Barcelona in La Liga. Worse still, the lack of an immediate replacement for Toni Kroos who retired from football has proven to be a bigger loss in midfield.
Today, Madrid are behind league leaders Barcelona but they have a game in hand. They are also in the dangerous zone to automatically qualify for the new look Champions League last 16 phase. Madrid in this case could be said to not be in midst of a crisis full blown, but there is no doubt that things are rather worrisome. In my words, here’s how Carlo Ancelloti can steer Madrid back on track.
Mbappe Should Step Up
Mbappé isn’t having a hard time scoring goals. By any standard, his numbers appear healthy, on paper. However, there is an expectation of knowing that the star signing should be doing way better than this.
However, it is not the first time this critique resigning for the French captain. Mbappé has always been involved in 40+ goals a season, but he seems like he lacks something. Little has changed in him and there is no evidence of him polishing certain areas of his game. The belief that his relocation to Madrid should benefit his progress in some way is yet to be realized.
Some of the problems that accused him of PSG are present in Madrid too. As we can see, with Vinícius Jr underneath him, the Brazilian can perform comfortably on the left, but Mbappé tends to move all the way out to the flank, which is unnecessary, overcrowding when trying to mount attacks. His off the ball work is probably even worse. Mbappé has never been a defensive player and his seemed not to be interested in out for the ball once it’s out of his possession. Madrid does not need him to push all the time but if Carlo Ancelotti is to get the best out of this squad, it will help if he convinces Mbappe to contribute defensively.
Finally, Mbappé is unarguably talented, but in order to explain the necessity of his signing and contribute to Madrid’s improvement, he has to progress – first, in terms of the system and, second, in terms of the role he plays in a team.
Jude Bellingham Should Perform Like We Saw Him Last Season
Out of all Real Madrid players, only one has gone through a dramatic change of fortune in the past year, and that’s Jude Bellingham. The Englishman was electric in his first season and was scoring goals for fun in the first part of the season, though his movement was altered slightly later in the season. Towards the end of the season, Bellingham was getting involved less in the advanced positions and, as can be expected; this limited his scoring abilities.
In this season, however, Bellingham’s scoring form has gone down. Given that Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. dominate attention, at least some regression in Bellingham’s attacking output would be expected, but just how sharp of a downturn has emerged exerts great concern.
The overall flexibility is still Bellingham’s strength. He is a case study here because he is one of the typical examples of modern box-to-box midfielder, gifted for both offense and defense. However he is only 21 years old and sometimes he overplays himself or makes decisions based on feelings. These signs of development pains, coupled with the absence of goals, have taught parts of the media whether he can sustain such previous strikes.
Carlo Ancelotti now has the problem of bending Bellingham back into Madrid’s attack without shackling Mbappé and Vinícius. The answer may not be clear now, it’s just a matter of time Bellingham adapts to the system and becomes an important player for Madrid again.
Make The Defense More Compact
Despite amassing one of the potentially explosive attacks on the face of La Liga this season, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti considers the team’s major problem as a defensive one, as reported in the Relevo in October. However, it remains abundantly clear that even though teams at the very top of their game may all stand together when it comes to organizing in defense, Madrid has not been able to perform at the level that it would typically set as a benchmark for itself in 2024/2025.
Concentration mistakes have been persists on the side of defense. For instance, Ferland Mendy was out of his league when he faced Lamine Yamal during El Clásico. As for the other key player last season, Antonio Rüdiger, who has been unconvincing, especially in confronting high balls and almost far from the performance he displayed in the last season.
If Real Madrid is to regain its defensive stability, then Ancelotti has to look at individuals as well as the set up of the team.
Find A Reliable Right Back
Real Madrid’s defense has been weakened greatly in late season as Carvajal has a severe knee injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season. Carvajal, who after amazing 2023-24 season occupied 4th place in Ballon d’Or, has left noticeable absence in the position of right back.
In Carvajal’s absence, Carlo Ancelotti has pointed to Lucas Vázquez as the sure bet to take up the position. Converted from a right winger, Vázquez has been appreciable throughout the right-back position with good energy and attacking contributions. However, his defending and especially the one on one defending has been criticized. This was well illustrated in the champions league match against the Borussia Dortmund where Vázquez played a part in the both goals which ended with Madrid having a comeback defeating Borussia Dortmund.
It is against this background that Ancelotti has been forced to look for a better solution within the team. For instance, Federico Valverde has been used as a right back in some of the games. Valverde has also been deployed as right back this season, this is not his preferred position on the field, and it would not be very wise to rely on him as and they should look for a permanent solution.
Replace Toni Kroos
The German was an anchor in midfield with his positional astuteness, was the one player that could set the pace of the match which Madrid midfield craved.
Madrid especially suffer this loss because there was no one like Kroos to dictate the pace of the game. It goes from being too hasty at times and at other moments too slow, and no one has the ability to give that balance, that tough ‘pause’ for the team that the former provides. While Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham, for instance, prohibitively contain possession of the ball and have the ability to penetrate passes, they do not have similar touch or field savvy. Luka Modrić could be the candidate for this position, but he is not in his best performing level in such position. Aurelien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga are quite skilled, but they play mainly in an opponent-mindset position and are still growing as creators.
These options highlight a broader problem: Madrid has not directly replaced Kroos in the team. In the past season, Kroos was a security blanket even when the team was backed up in defensive situations, he would offer a way of getting out of the pressure and command play. In his absence, defense and organization have alone eroded, and Madrid’s approach is vertical, aggressive, and faster. Although the former can be quite useful, the latter tends to compromise the team’s defense, as well as their ability to charge during the counterattacks.
The loss of control has brought development of a tactical weakness. Madrid’s quick transitions also produce turn overs that put them at the mercy of the counter attacks. Soccer has changed in recent years, and the absence of Kroos has been felt as a team struggles to organize the rhythm and control the space in a match. As long as Real Madrid has not found a way to replace what Kroos provided, it could be through tactical changes or a new player, this remains a gaping issue.
Team Bonding
Online fans have jokingly attributed Real Madrid’s success to “the power of friendship,” pointing to their uncanny ability to pull off victories against the odds as a result of the positive vibes within the squad. From welcoming friends and family into training before the Champions League final to orchestrating wild celebrations over a rare day off, Carlo Ancelotti has consistently fostered an environment where even the sport’s biggest egos can thrive.
Since Ancelotti’s return in 2021, Madrid have secured silverware every season. While much of this success is due to tactical innovation and smart systems, Ancelotti’s greatest strength lies in his ability to bring out the best in individuals and build a cohesive team. However, this unique harmony appears to be missing this season.
The loss of Toni Kroos and the high-profile arrival of Kylian Mbappé seem to have disrupted the dynamic. On the pitch, there are signs of frustration—raised voices, flailing arms, and visible tension among players. Off the field, the drama surrounding the club’s Ballon d’Or boycott over Vinícius Jr.’s snub has only added to the unease. Together, these issues paint a picture of a team that doesn’t feel as united as it once did.
Winning, of course, is the ultimate cure for such issues, and a strong performance in Tuesday’s Champions League clash with AC Milan could restore some momentum. But there seems to be a deeper discontent that Ancelotti must address. If left unchecked, it risks undermining the season and derailing Madrid’s campaign entirely. Ancelotti’s ability to rebuild that sense of camaraderie may be just as critical as any tactical adjustment he makes.
Conclusion
Real Madrid’s recent downturn is a stark reminder that even the most dominant teams face periods of adversity. While their talent pool is undeniable, a combination of factors, including the integration of new signings, the loss of key players, and tactical inconsistencies, has hindered their progress. Ancelotti’s leadership is paramount in navigating these challenges, from maximizing Mbappé’s potential and rekindling Bellingham’s attacking flair to fortifying their defensive foundation.