In a recent interview with AS, former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti shared his insights on the current state of the club and its new manager, Xabi Alonso. Ancelotti, who closely follows Madrid’s matches, expressed confidence in Alonso’s ability to lead the team effectively. “I can’t give him any advice,” Ancelotti remarked. “I watch all the Madrid matches because I want to see how the Brazilians are doing, and I see the team is doing very well. They have won almost all their matches, but unfortunately in football, you can’t always win. Sometimes you have to draw.”
Reflecting on his tenure at the club, Ancelotti noted that a draw can often signal trouble in Madrid. “One thing I learned at Real Madrid is that a draw here is the prelude to a crisis. No jokes. You have to get used to that,” he stated. Currently, Real Madrid sits atop La Liga and is among the top eight in the Champions League, showcasing impressive results under Alonso’s guidance. “What more can we ask of Xabi? I see a solid team, especially in defense, and very effective upfront,” he added.
Analyzing Last Season’s Challenges
Ancelotti also delved into the difficulties faced during his last season at the club, specifically the 2024-25 campaign. He explained how injuries decimated his starting defense: “We lost Carvajal and Militao, and Rüdiger played with a serious problem. Luckily, Asensio came up from the youth team and did very well.” The coach emphasized how these setbacks forced him to make unconventional tactical adjustments, often placing Valverde at right back and Tchouameni at center back, which weakened midfield stability.
The Midfield Evolution
Despite these challenges, Ancelotti remains optimistic about Real Madrid’s midfield depth. “We lost solidity at the back, and that cost us titles,” he admitted. However, he insisted it wasn’t solely due to Toni Kroos’s absence; instead, he adapted to using other talented midfielders like Camavinga, Ceballos, Bellingham, Tchouameni, and Valverde. He praised Güler for his development as well but acknowledged that replicating the unique qualities of Kroos or Modric would be impossible.
As for the Brazilian contingent at Madrid, players like Militao, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo continue to play crucial roles in both club and national teams. Meanwhile, Endrick aims to secure a place in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if he secures a loan move away from Madrid.
With Alonso at the helm and a promising mix of talent on display, fans are left wondering: Can this current squad maintain their momentum? The upcoming fixtures will be pivotal in determining whether they can turn solid performances into silverware.
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