The 2024-2025 season for Real Madrid has been one to forget for many supporters, as Carlo Ancelotti‘s side struggled significantly on multiple fronts. Brutally outplayed in all four Clásicos and facing an early exit from the UEFA Champions League after being eliminated by Arsenal in the quarter-finals, the season quickly turned into a nightmare for the club. Ancelotti himself has addressed the root causes of this downturn, pinpointing the simultaneous loss of key defensive players as a critical factor.
“We lost our entire starting defense,” Ancelotti explained in an interview with AS. “With Carvajal and Militao unavailable, and Rüdiger playing through a serious injury, we were left vulnerable.” The absence of his usual backline during crucial moments forced Ancelotti to overhaul his tactical setup, leading to a loss of balance and stability within the team.
Adapting Under Pressure
In response to these challenges, Ancelotti was compelled to make significant tactical adjustments. He repositioned Federico Valverde as a right-back and shifted Aurélien Tchouaméni into central defense, among other changes aimed at staunching the flow of goals against his team. Despite these efforts, the manager noted a silver lining in the emergence of young talent Asensio from the academy, who stepped up admirably during this difficult period.
The Impact of Departures
While acknowledging the difficulties posed by injuries and retirements, Ancelotti was reluctant to attribute the team’s struggles solely to the departure of Toni Kroos earlier in the year. “It’s not just because of Kroos,” he insisted. The Italian tactician emphasized that players like Eduardo Camavinga, Valverde, Dani Ceballos, Jude Bellingham, and Tchouaméni have been able to adapt their roles effectively. He also highlighted the promising development of Arda Güler as a vital component moving forward.
However, despite these positive notes about midfield adaptability, Ancelotti recognized that no amount of midfield restructuring could compensate for the total breakdown of defensive cohesion. “Real Madrid is entering a more complicated phase,” he admitted. “We must learn to live without Kroos and Modric.” He underscored that finding replacements for such iconic players is nearly impossible; their legacy looms large over the club.
As Real Madrid embarks on this new chapter without two of its most influential figures, it faces an uphill battle to regain its former glory. The combination of defensive injuries and an aging midfield has cost them dearly this season—both in terms of performance and silverware. With titles slipping away, questions arise about how quickly they can rebuild and reestablish their dominance in European football.
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