Subhi Agrawal
Real Madrid began the season with a strong squad, positioning them as favorites to defend both the La Liga and Champions League titles. However, manager Carlo Ancelotti has faced challenges in finding the right balance, especially with the addition of Kylian Mbappe to the team.
Ancelotti Considers 4-4-2 Formation
Despite remaining unbeaten in all competitions, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is contemplating a shift to a 4-4-2 formation for key matches, according to journalist Jose Felix Díaz. This change would move away from the 4-3-3 system employed earlier in the season.
This shift could result in one of the world-class forwards—Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, or Rodrygo—being dropped from the starting lineup to accommodate an extra midfielder, likely Eduardo Camavinga, who is expected to return from injury soon.
In this scenario, Rodrygo seems the most likely to be dropped, with Ancelotti potentially positioning Federico Valverde on the right flank. Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni could then anchor the midfield, leaving Bellingham, Vinicius, or Mbappe to fill the left side.
If Rodrygo starts, one of Tchouameni, Valverde, or Camavinga would likely be benched in midfield. Despite these adjustments, Ancelotti is still refining his system and seeking the right balance, with opponents finding it relatively easy to exploit gaps and create chances against Real Madrid.
Real Madrid’s Start Was Sluggish
Their recent Champions League match against VfB Stuttgart highlighted these issues. Despite having less talent than the reigning European champions, the German side consistently found space and created opportunities.
Although Los Blancos secured a 3-1 victory, they allowed 17 shots and had an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.94 against them, with Stuttgart arguably unlucky not to achieve a better result.
Before the match, it was anticipated that Real Madrid would easily secure all three points, given their lineup of world-class talents. However, their start was sluggish, with Stuttgart pressing them higher up the pitch and creating several opportunities.
Mbappe opened the scoring in the 46th minute, but Stuttgart equalized twenty minutes later, surprising the home crowd. In the end, Los Blancos had to depend on individual brilliance, with late goals from Antonio Rudiger and Endrick sealing the win.
“We Had The Strength To Win”
In his post-match interview, Ancelotti admitted that the team didn’t start well and is still working to find the right balance in their attack.
“We are still trying to find the best version. The assessment is that we did not start well. They were winning the duels. After 20 minutes, we were in control, until the 60th minute. We could have killed the game in a couple of transitions. After the draw, we had the strength to win a very important match. It is not easy,” he said, reported by Sportskeeda.
Real Madrid’s upcoming La Liga matches are against Espanyol on Saturday, September 21, and Deportivo Alavés on September 24.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings