This time last year, Real Madrid started the 2023-2024 season in La Liga with a 2-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao. That match opened a series of 5 consecutive victories (before losing to Atletico Madrid) and ended with the championship with a gap of 10 points over Barcelona.
This season, Real Madrid also started with a match away from home (at Mallorca) and coincidentally, Rodrygo Goes was the first scorer. But Los Blancos returned with only 1 point in hand and 1 red card (by Ferland Mendy).
This result of course led to disappointment, especially after the European Super Cup won a week earlier. Furthermore, in the Royal team's squad there is another super striker Kylian Mbappe.
In a match where there were those who criticized the home team for playing to the death, coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted that Real Madrid could have lost because of its own problems. He pointed out 3 angles that its synthesis shows, 1 point is still lucky.
Lack of balance, a bit of playing attitude and unfocused defense, are the things Carletto pointed out.
The lack of balance is true, when Real Madrid takes the field with many attacking elements. They are "active" in exchanging positions so the system is not enough.
The playing attitude is probably also because the attacking-oriented squad gives Vinicius Junior and his teammates the feeling of "winning at any time", especially when leading.
And because of such an attitude, the defensive task cannot maintain concentration, leading to a few moments where more goals can be conceded.
Even the way Ancelotti substituted was a question, as he used 4 substitutions, 3 of them at the same time in the 88th minute. With 2 attacking players on the field at that time - Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler, it was time for Ancelotti to make substitutions. The time given to them is too little, even when the match has up to 8 minutes of extra time.
And while Barcelona came away with 3 points (winning against Valencia), should Real Madrid fans be worried?
Actually, at the starting point, there is no need to worry too much, because in the end, winning the championship or not will only be decided in the final weeks of the season. Meanwhile, as Ancelotti said, when problems arise early, detecting and resolving them will help operate smoothly at important stages.
It can be understood that, with the addition of Mbappe in attack, both Ancelotti and the players are having to find ways to adapt. With the quality of the stars, it won't take them long to find a common voice.
Another problem, when Real Madrid will participate in many fronts this season, with a tight schedule, Ancelotti needs to rotate more effectively, ensuring that even the reserve stars are always on "warm-up" mode. ", ready to change the situation and situation instead of just waiting for individual moments of brilliance.
