Carlo Ancelotti and his coaching staff are going through a very critical period. After the news regarding Raúl Asencio’s form, it is now information about the physical condition of the entire team that is causing concern following the 3-0 loss to Arsenal.
The 22-year-old prodigy, Raúl Asencio, has not been in top form in recent weeks. With only six months of professional career under his belt, the young Spanish central defender was left on the bench against Valencia during the 30th matchday of La Liga. After the 2-1 defeat at the Bernabéu to Valencia, Carlo Ancelotti explained this decision by the player’s intense fatigue, and Asencio also requested not to play in extra time against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semi-final.
The damning statistics of the Madrid players
Since this announcement, several questions have arisen regarding the physical management of the players under Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching staff. Has the renowned fitness coach, Antonio Pintus, reached his limits? Since his arrival, Pintus has been recognised for his discipline and expertise, but the recent data on Madrid’s performances in the Champions League cast a shadow of uncertainty.
On Tuesday evening, during the first leg of the quarter-finals against Arsenal, Real Madrid’s heavy defeat (3-0) brought troubling statistics to light. With a distance of only 101.2 kilometres covered, Real Madrid is the team that ran the least among the eight quarter-finalists. In comparison, Arsenal ran 113.6 kilometres, while Barcelona reached 115.7 kilometres. The teams that ran the most were Inter Milan (125.6 km) and Bayern Munich (123 km). These are physical performances significantly superior to those of the Madrid players.
These figures call for deep reflection. Is it a tactical choice or a physical incapacity that is preventing Real Madrid from competing in terms of running distance? Known for his political language in front of the press, Carlo Ancelotti insists that running as much as the opponent is not necessary to win, but this philosophy has its limits when faced with the growing physical demands of modern football.
Key players are not responding
The situation becomes even more concerning when observing individual performances. Indeed, Federico Valverde, the player who ran the most for Real Madrid at the Emirates, ranks only 15th among all players in the quarter-finals. Jude Bellingham comes in a modest 32nd place, followed by Antonio Rüdiger in 43rd. Even more worrying, among the five forwards who have run the least in the Champions League this season, three wear the Real Madrid colours: Kylian Mbappé (8 km), Vinícius Jr. (8.8 km) and Rodrygo (9.5 km).
These findings point to collective fatigue and a need for better management of the players’ physical condition. As Real Madrid prepares to face Arsenal for the return leg, concerns are growing. If a quick solution is not found, their European campaign could come to a premature halt. In La Liga, things are already complicated, and a solution must be found to avoid a cataclysmic end to the season.
It must be said: the pressure on Carlo Ancelotti and his staff is immense. One thing is for sure: the case of Raúl Asencio and the team’s statistical data in the Champions League are alarm bells the club can no longer ignore.
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