Real Madrid's 5-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final has sparked controversy over the future of coach Carlo Ancelotti, but club insiders say the discussion about the Italian's position has left them surprised and uncomfortable.
A senior Real Madrid official stressed: "You can't judge a team by a few games. Everything will be decided in the spring." At the same time, the board confirmed that they have no intention of changing their winter transfer plans just because of one defeat. This means that Ancelotti will not be able to make significant additions in January, unless Liverpool are willing to let Trent Alexander-Arnold leave, a possibility that is unlikely.
The match in Jeddah exposed serious problems in Real Madrid's defense. After Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in the 5th minute, Los Blancos quickly fell into chaos. Sharp attacks from the wings by Lamine Yamal and Raphinha continuously caused difficulties, turning the "White Vulture" defense into a mess.
“I said before the match that we had to defend well to win. However, the whole team did very poorly and Barcelona did the opposite,” Carlo Ancelotti admitted after the match.
As Yamal sprinted past Ferland Mendy and easily beat Aurelien Tchouameni to equalise, the anxiety was evident on the faces of the Real players. Further goals from Lewandowski, Raphinha and Alejandro Balde only highlighted the insecurity in the defence.
According to Opta statistics, Barcelona had 13 shots, including 7 on target, in the first half alone - Real Madrid's worst defensive record in the past 11 seasons.
Carlo Ancelotti made a series of changes in the second half, including taking off Lucas Vazquez and bringing on Raul Asencio. However, the changes did not immediately pay off. Originally a midfielder, Tchouameni had to play as a centre-back, while Vazquez took on the role of right-back. This patchwork left Real Madrid vulnerable on the right flank.
In addition, the decision to use Tchouameni in defense has sparked controversy within the team. Some opinions say that the French star lacks confidence and is often pushed into unfamiliar positions. This reduces the effectiveness of the defense, making Real vulnerable to opponents.
Despite the obvious weaknesses in defence, the Royals have been reluctant to spend money in the winter transfer window. Real Madrid believe that mid-season additions rarely have a lasting effect, and instead tend to wait until the summer to make big plans.
Alexander-Arnold is a case in point. Although the Bernabeu are in dire need of a quality right-back, it is unrealistic to convince Liverpool to let him go. Other targets such as Aymeric Laporte and Vitor Reis are also considered to be financially struggling or unable to meet expectations.
The defeat to Barca is not the end of the world, but it is a clear warning for Real Madrid. The defense needs to improve, both in terms of personnel and tactics. The upcoming matches in Copa del Rey and La Liga will be a test for the Royal team to regain their form and prove that this defeat is just a temporary stumble.
Real Madrid have overcome difficult times to achieve glory. However, can Carlo Ancelotti's team do it again by refusing to add to their squad and placing their faith in the current squad?
