New Delhi: With an attack featuring Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo, Real Madrid were expected to dominate once again after winning La Liga and the Champions League last season. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are top of La Liga, but performances have not been as dominant as expected. Defeats to Barcelona, Liverpool, Milan and Athletic Club have exposed defensive weaknesses, raising concerns ahead of crucial fixtures.
A 5-2 loss to Barcelona in the Supercopa final and a recent defeat to Espanyol have highlighted issues in big matches. Ancelotti has attempted different tactical tweaks, but the balance remains fragile. With Atletico Madrid visiting the Bernabeu and a Champions League clash with Manchester City coming up, pressure is mounting. Madrid’s attacking power is undeniable, but structural flaws in midfield and defence need urgent attention.
How Real Madrid’s pressing issues affect defence
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid ends ups in a draw. (Image via Reuters)
Madrid’s problems against top teams start with pressing from the front. In major matches, Vinicius Jr and Mbappe have struggled to close down opposition defenders effectively. This was evident in the first loss to Barcelona at the Bernabeu, where the visitors easily bypassed the initial press before overwhelming Madrid’s midfield. A similar issue was seen in the Supercopa final, where Barcelona’s creative players controlled the game with minimal resistance.
Bellingham has been vocal about the need for better defensive work from the forwards, as seen in Madrid’s early-season games. Luka Modric has also been caught on camera calling for more support from the attack. When Madrid press aggressively, the midfield is often left exposed, with opposition teams finding gaps to exploit.
In the Supercopa final, Ancelotti tried to counter Barcelona’s midfield control by bringing Bellingham inside to press higher. However, this left spaces behind, allowing Barcelona to create chances with quick passing. A similar scenario played out against Milan in the Champions League, where Madrid’s midfielders pushed forward but failed to stop vertical passes.
Why Real Madrid’s midfield struggles in big matches
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, left, and Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo De Paul fight for the Ball
When Madrid fail to win the ball high up the pitch, the midfield faces increased pressure. The absence of a proper defensive structure has allowed opponents to exploit spaces between the lines. Against Barcelona, Pedri and Gavi constantly pulled Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde out of position, creating openings in dangerous areas.
Ancelotti has tried different formations to fix this, but none have been entirely successful. In some matches, Madrid have used a 4-4-2 shape with Bellingham pressing from the front. However, this still leaves gaps in midfield, especially when teams use intelligent movement.
Even against Milan, Madrid’s midfield was stretched. Aurelien Tchouameni and Modric stepped up to press, but gaps appeared behind them. Valverde and Bellingham, playing wider roles, could not provide enough support, leaving the defence vulnerable.
How defensive weaknesses have exposed Real Madrid
Athletic Bilbao’s Spanish forward Inaki Williams (2R) is challenged by Real Madrid’s German defender Antonio Rudiger (R) and Real Madrid’s Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Athletic Club Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on June 4, 2023. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP)
Injuries to key defenders have made matters worse. Dani Carvajal’s long-term absence has forced tactical adjustments, while Eder Militao and David Alaba have also missed large parts of the season. This has left Madrid relying on makeshift defensive partnerships, increasing their vulnerability.
Ancelotti has acknowledged the team’s defensive struggles, but insists the problem is collective rather than individual. The coach has emphasised that removing an attacker will not automatically solve the issue. However, there is growing evidence that Madrid’s aggressive attacking setup makes them too open against high-quality teams.
When Madrid sit deep, they struggle with tracking opposition runs. Rodrygo has been asked to play a more defensive role when Madrid shift to a 4-4-2, but he has found it difficult to mark attacking full-backs effectively. Against Barcelona, Alejandro Balde exploited this weakness, constantly driving forward down Madrid’s right side.
What Carlo Ancelotti can do to fix Real Madrid’s issues
Carlo Ancelotti for Real Madrid against Atalanta (Via Reuters)
A possible solution would be sacrificing one of the four attackers to create a more balanced midfield. This would allow Valverde to play centrally, helping to cover defensive gaps. However, this brings its own challenges, as shifting Bellingham wider may reduce his attacking impact.
Rodrygo, who was once considered the most likely to drop out, has been in excellent form, making Ancelotti’s decision even harder. Madrid’s strength has been their ability to overpower weaker teams with attacking quality, but against stronger opponents, their lack of defensive stability has been exposed.
Ancelotti faces crucial decisions ahead of the Atletico and Manchester City matches. Sticking with the current system risks more big-game defeats, while changing the lineup could disrupt the team’s attacking rhythm. With the season entering its decisive phase, Madrid’s ability to solve these issues will determine their chances of major silverware.
Real Madrid’s defensive struggles in big matches have exposed tactical flaws. Carlo Ancelotti faces tough decisions ahead of crucial fixtures, with pressing issues and midfield gaps leaving the team vulnerable against top opponents. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
