Fighting for a place in the Champions League semi-finals, Real Madrid collapsed to a 3–0 defeat against Arsenal in the first leg of the quarter-finals. On the bench, Carlo Ancelotti lacked spontaneity, leaving out two key players who could have changed everything.
Are we about to witness a repeat of the two-legged clash between these sides from the 2005–2006 Champions League season? That’s the question on many Madrid fans’ minds after the hammering they received at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. Travelling for this crucial fixture, Carlo Ancelotti and his players failed to rise to the occasion. With unnecessary fouls, avoidable errors from players such as Thibaut Courtois, and technical staff shortcomings, all the ingredients were there to explain the 3–0 defeat.
Endrick and Brahim Diaz – the forgotten men who could have made a difference
While many are focusing on the underperformance of key figures in the Madrid squad, others are pointing the finger directly at Carlo Ancelotti. Once again, the 65-year-old coach showed either a lack of urgency or a glaring absence of boldness. Indeed, players like Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes contributed next to nothing. Apart from Kylian Mbappé, who once again managed to carve out a few chances in the first half, Madrid’s attacking line simply didn’t function.
Rather than making earlier attacking changes and giving young talents a chance, the Italian coach opted to bring on defenders, including Lucas Vázquez and Fran García, even though the damage had already been done. Speaking of substitutions, Ancelotti again lacked clarity in his decisions. Instead of waiting until the 85th minute to replace Rodrygo with Brahim Diaz – a player capable of drawing fouls and unsettling the English defence – the manager should have acted much sooner.
Aside from Brahim Diaz’s late entry, which could have shifted the match had it come earlier, Vinicius’s presence on the pitch for the entire game is particularly frustrating. Given Kylian Mbappé’s sharp form on the left flank, Ancelotti had the perfect chance to shake things up by introducing Endrick to lead the line. Despite his youth, the Brazilian striker continues to make headlines every time he plays.
Guti’s anger towards Ancelotti
Just as he did against Valencia last weekend – when he was involved in two dangerous moments immediately after coming on – Endrick could have caused real problems for Arsenal’s defenders. Tall players often struggle against those with a lower centre of gravity, making Brahim Diaz and Endrick luxury options that Ancelotti squandered in favour of sticking with star names who simply weren’t performing.
“They have big-name players on the pitch, that’s true, but if they’re not delivering, then you have to place your trust in those on the bench,” lamented Guti Hernández, former Real Madrid player, on El Chiringuito TV after the thrashing in England.
It must be said: Carlo Ancelotti once again proved that he lacks a clear game plan that his players can follow. A video clip showing a disagreement between him, Bellingham and Camavinga over a tactical decision is further proof that his message isn’t getting through anymore.
For many, the 65-year-old coach continues to rely on the individual brilliance of his stars – which explains his insistence on keeping players like Vini on the pitch for the full 90 minutes, even in a match where he neither dribbled, nor shot, nor created chances, nor defended properly. Florentino Pérez must take action at the end of the season. And with the league title slipping away, and a Champions League comeback now requiring a three-goal victory next Wednesday, it’s clear that changes will be made within the coaching staff.
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