Real Madrid finds itself at a crossroads, with a squad brimming with talent yet struggling to find cohesion on the pitch. Carlo Ancelotti, known for granting his players creative freedom, now faces the challenge of imposing the structure needed to harness this potential effectively. As the season unfolds, key areas—ranging from defensive coordination to midfield identity—demand urgent attention if Madrid is to get back to winning ways.
Limit the freedom, provide more structure
One of Ancelotti’s greatest strengths has always been the freedom he affords his attacking players, encouraging them to express their creativity in the final third. He’s often spoken of the need to let world-class talents showcase their skills without too many constraints. However, the current Real Madrid squad is overflowing with attacking players who tend to gravitate towards the same spaces, creating congestion rather than fluidity. Ancelotti now faces the challenge of tightening the reins and imposing more structure in the final third. This isn’t to suggest a rigid system like that of Guardiola or Arteta, where every movement is choreographed, but rather a need for greater positional discipline. The balance has tilted too far towards freedom, and a recalibration is necessary. In this early phase of the season, the team might benefit from adopting a model closer to José Mourinho’s 2011-2012 side, where each player had clearly defined roles and responsibilities
Negative cycle driving bad decisions
The team has fallen into a vicious cycle: the midfield, wary of losing possession, opts for conservative, sideways passing in an attempt to slow the game down and minimize defensive transitions. This cautious approach leads to predictable, methodical ball movement—safe, but uninspiring. Meanwhile, the front three are taking the opposite approach, eager to take on defenders, often at the expense of losing the ball. When their dribbles or final passes fail, they simply wait for the next chance in the final third, knowing they won’t receive the incisive through balls needed to unlock defenses. This disconnect leaves the midfield exhausted from constant sprints, while the attack feels compelled to take matters into their own hands, exacerbating the cycle. The midfield avoids risky vertical passes to save themselves from more defensive runs, while the attack grows increasingly individualistic, knowing that support via risky vertical passes won’t arrive. A bit of balance from both sides would lend support to this faltering offense. The individualist approach from the offense should make way for more combination play and calculated decisions, while the midfield need to attempt riskier, high-tempo passes.
Collective compactness
On the defensive side, Ancelotti’s strategy is difficult to discern. Some players press, others hang back, resulting in a disjointed effort. When the forwards do press, the defense is often too slow to push up and close down space, leaving the opposition with room to maneuver. The match against Mallorca was a prime example: Valverde, full of energy and intent, frequently pressed on his own, disrupting the team’s shape rather than strengthening it. His effort is commendable, but pressing without coordination only opens up gaps for the opposition to exploit. The space between Madrid’s defense, midfield, and forwards is often too large—a problem that becomes glaringly obvious when you freeze-frame any recent match. Ancelotti mentioned the team’s mid-block struggles in a recent press conference, but the collective movement across all defensive phases remains poor. While there were signs of improvement in “rest defense” and “counter-pressing” against Las Palmas, the overall compactness of the team still needs significant work.
Can get away with one superstar not defending, but not two
In a recent episode of the Managing Madrid podcast, we delved into the team’s defensive shape and the defensive effort from the front three. I expressed to Kiyan a firm belief: the best teams in the world can afford one superstar who doesn’t defend, but not two. Real Madrid currently have two. If it comes down to choosing between Vinicius and Mbappe for defensive duties, the answer is clear—Vinicius. The Brazilian has shown in the past that he possesses the stamina and the willingness to track back. While his pressing angles could use refinement, he’s had several moments where his defensive efforts have led to regaining possession. On the other hand, even when Mbappe attempts to defend, the results are almost comically ineffective. Mbappe should be given one clear defensive instruction—perhaps pressuring the deep-lying midfielder or directing center backs in a certain way—and otherwise, he should focus on staying high to exploit transitions. Ancelotti has gradually reduced Vinicius’s defensive responsibilities over the years, but with Mbappe’s integration into the squad, the Brazilian may need to be re-engaged defensively.
Midfield Identity = Team Identity
A team’s identity often stems from its midfield, and with the departures of Toni Kroos and the diminishing role of Luka Modric, Real Madrid’s midfield has undergone a transformation. The club has brought in several two-way midfielders with similar profiles, yet none possess the unique characteristics of Modric or Kroos. Madrid does not need to search for the next Modric or Kroos (nor have they tried)—those players are irreplaceable, generational talents who will be remembered as two of the greatest midfielders of all time. Instead, the team must embrace the strengths of their new-look midfield and build an identity around them. With Camavinga and Bellingham sidelined by injuries and Ceballos perpetually benched, there’s a noticeable lack of progressive passing in the build-up. Valverde and Tchouameni excel at quick, short passes or carrying the ball to break lines, but they need more support. To maximize their strengths, Madrid should focus on creating constant triangle patterns across the pitch, ensuring that players always have at least two short passing options. Introducing another midfielder or having a forward drop deep to help form these triangles would significantly aid Tchouameni and Valverde. If Madrid’s identity is to be rooted in physicality and quick, short passing, then they should fully commit to developing that style.
Tchouameni concern
Given the limited options in midfield, Carlo Ancelotti has little choice but to rely on Tchouameni at the start of the season. However, the Frenchman has yet to recapture the form that had Europe’s top clubs clamoring for his signature or that he displayed at the beginning of last season. If Ancelotti can address some of the issues discussed earlier, Tchouameni’s performances could improve significantly. At present, Tchouameni seems to be overextending himself, trying to cover too much ground. Against Atalanta, his game notably improved in the second half when he focused solely on being a stopper, sitting just in front of the back four and blocking passing lanes instead of attempting to press or man-mark. Casemiro excelled at understanding where to be and when during defensive sequences, but Tchouameni has struggled in those situations. Assigning him a more defined and restrictive role could help stabilize his performances.