Real Madrid’s season has been somewhat like a seesaw, with its ups and downs. As one of the biggest football clubs out there, people always expect much from them, and lately, there has been so much talk on how they are playing, what’s going right, and where they need to step it up.
Coming off their long undefeated streak while leading La Liga, the 4-0 loss to Barcelona on October 26 was a pretty big shock. Not only did that drop them down in the standings, but it also raised big questions about their game plan from fans and experts alike. The team has been trying to get Kylian Mbappé into their attack, but it hasn’t gone smoothly. Even being one of the best, Mbappé was flagged offside 8 times during the El Classico, which just goes to prove that timing and chemistry still need some fine-tuning, especially when one is pitted against a formidable team like Barcelona.
Another major problem this season for Real Madrid has been injuries. The loss of their talented goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to an ACL injury has been really tough to handle. He’s always been important to them at the back, and not having him has hurt them. Andriy Lunin has stepped in, but he’s still a ways away from Courtois in terms of experience and shot-stopping. Injuries have also befallen the backline with players like Eder Militao and Rodrygo, who are important both in the rearguard and when they go forward.
To handle all these changes, coach Carlo Ancelotti had been mixing veteran players along with young blood in midfield. Luka Modrić was among the likes of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni, and then one stood out: Jude Bellingham. He is just 20 years old and already one of the team’s top scorers and playmakers, huge for Real Madrid to keep them in the mix, especially after his clutch performances.
Up front, however, it has been inconsistent. The loss of Karim Benzema left a hole in their attack. His replacement, Joselu, has had moments but hasn’t replaced the scoring production. A lot has fallen to Vinicius Jr., but he’s struggled because of injuries and how he’s fit into the system. Vinicius is still dangerous with his speed and dribbling, but he has found it tough to break down strong defenses of late.
This defeat to Barcelona has engendered the talking point for all concerned at Real Madrid- whether some sort of tactical change is required or whether they need to be relying more upon their youngsters. Ancelotti is going to have to make some decisions on how to rotate the squad, particularly with a somewhat congested schedule coming up in La Liga and Champions League. Guys like Fran Garcia-younger, talented full-backs-may get more chances to show what they are made of, and it could bring a little bit more energy and speed to the backline.
Going forward, Real Madrid have some big fixtures, including a visit to Valencia and a Champions League game with AC Milan. Those two games are going to be important in seeing whether they can rebound from the loss to Barcelona and fix the problems they have been having. Ancelotti’s job is to get the best out of both the experienced players and the younger ones while addressing the weaknesses that have been showing up lately.
So far, Real Madrid’s season is by no means over. They are still in the running for success in La Liga and the Champions League. However, they will have to be more consistent to be able to live up to the loftier expectations. Over the next few weeks, performances will indeed define the rest of their campaign amidst dealing with injuries, new signings stepping up, and youngsters improving with experience.
