For some teams, international break always comes in a bad time since they are in top form (currently Barcelona, Liverpool, Arsenal), but for others, national team gatherings are blessing in disguise. And Real Madrid, of all teams, is a perfect example of that, and for a good reason. The Spanish giants are in the quarterfinals of the Champions League and have only two defeats in La Liga since the start of the year, but it’s that last one, which happened two days ago, which is the most worrisome. Real were not only beaten by Barcelona, they were thrashed 4-0, and it was evident that it could have been at least 6-0.Xavi’s coronation in El Clasico, as ruthless Barca embarrass Real on their soilThe title should not be in danger, as they are 12 points ahead of the Catalonians, who have a game in hand, but the manner of the defeat is unacceptable. Los Galacticos now have 12 day to recoup before they play in Vigo against Celta and then travel to London to face Chelsea. But will this defeat have any consequences for coach Carlo Ancelotti? This defeat showed his mistakes in tactical preparation for the game, but also showed an unbalanced squad, which is the sporting sector’s error, since the Italian came recently and couldn’t decide too much on the signings. And there were no signings recently, mainly due to two factors: new stadium and Kylian Mbappe.Pain. pic.twitter.com/M4aFvLmdm1— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 20, 2022 Let’s start with the tactics. Without the injured Karim Benzema, Ancelotti didn’t want to put other strikers instead of him, but opted to put Luka Modrić as a false 9, a mistake he later admitted. He also decided to play with three defenders at the back in the second half. Also a mistake, and was even publically criticized by keeper Thibaut Courtois (“We will have to talk about tactics”). Off course, the Italian has enough wisdom to cool things off.“We’re sorry, but we don’t have to make a drama… I have told the players that it was my fault…I’ve failed in my approach. It can happen once, twice I’m not usually wrong” said the Italian after the defeat.Courtois’s televised message to Ancelotti: We have to talk about tacticsThen there is the bigger problem – squad imbalance. To be honest, Real has only about 15 players that can really play on a high level, and out of them Karim Benzema occupies two places. When the Frenchmen stops, Real stops, and the biggest club cannot depend on one player, it’s unacceptable. Even if other players score (Vinicius, Kroos), it’s because of Benzema. And there were games where Real was losing or wouldn’t win at all, if it wasn’t for Karim’s late goals.Real Madrid with a 4-2-4-0 formation in the first half against Barcelona…And it’s not working. 🙃 pic.twitter.com/meMCoyTlII— Squawka (@Squawka) March 20, 2022 Real gambled this season, knowing that their opponents are weakened, and didn’t buy much in recent seasons, mainly due to their wish to concentrate its financial resources on the renovation of Santiago-Bernabeu. Eduardo Camavinga came for 35 million euros, while David Alaba was a free agent. They are hoping that they will ‘get away’ this year with the title and only 13 quality players and then buy Kylian Mbappe, along with maybe Haaland and other footballers to make another Galacticos team.(1.43) PORTUGAL (4.70) TURKEY (8.50)And that unbalance is something which other former Real players are criticizing too. Famous Guti, who played 542 games for Real and won 15 trophies (three Champions League) was fuming after 4-0 defeat.“Real Madrid cannot be with 12 or 13 players. A big team that wants to fight for the European Cup, for the League and for the Copa del Rey cannot be with 14 players. What is happening here? Whoever doesn’t want play, he’s not part of Real Madrid. This is that easy. But now let him say it! The club or Carlo Ancelotti has to tell that player ‘go to a press conference and say I don’t want to play for Real Madrid’. Real Madrid is paying you… how can you not play? And are we still doubting that Real Madrid will have to sign Haaland? You have to sign Haaland, Mbappe and four or five more players who want to play in Madrid” Guti said.Barca has one, but Real has more Demebele’s on their wage billAs for Ancelotti, the Italian has a strong contract until 2024 and if he manages to win La Liga (expected) and the Champions League, he will be untouchable. But the real question is what will happen if Chelsea knocks them out? The Blues already did that last year in the semifinal and nothing can be ruled out. Even in La Liga Real still has some serious opponents unit the end (Atletico Madrid, Betis, Seville). And if they don’t get the result against Celta and Chelsea, avalanche can hit Santiago Bernabeu and Ancelotti pretty quickly.
