Ancelotti Worried as Real Madrid Endure Consecutive Home Losses
Prince Jean
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti reacts with concern following the team's second consecutive home defeat, as they fall 3-1 to AC Milan in the Champions League at the Bernabeu. Credit:gettyimages
Real Madrid’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed deep concern following the team’s second straight defeat at the Bernabeu. After a 4-0 loss to Barcelona in La Liga, Madrid suffered a 3-1 Champions League defeat to AC Milan, leaving the title-holders in a troubling 17th place out of 36 teams.
Adding to the tension, Fede Valverde's partner criticized Ancelotti and the team’s forwards on social media during the match, signaling growing unrest. Speaking to Movistar post-match, Ancelotti admitted,
“We have to be worried.” He noted, “In the last few games, the team hasn’t been in good shape. We lack solidity. It’s time to work.”
Addressing the nine goals conceded in the past three games, Ancelotti attributed the defensive issues to a lack of cohesion.
"The team is not compact. We have to be more compact, more orderly. Yes, we’re conceding a lot,"
he said.
On Valverde, Ancelotti explained that the midfielder was dealing with back pain. Though Valverde trained well the day before, he felt discomfort in the first half, leading to his substitution. Ancelotti also commented on the crowd’s whistles when Aurelien Tchouameni was replaced at halftime, dismissing any concerns about the player’s morale.
"This is not an individual issue; it’s a collective one. Now it’s time to get up, fight, and prepare for the next match."
Real Madrid faces tough competition in the coming weeks, including Premier League leaders Liverpool and Europa League champions Atalanta. Ancelotti emphasized the need to focus on current issues: “We are a team that is not showing its best version, and we need to find it to compete in all competitions.”
On Saturday, Madrid hosts Osasuna, currently in fifth place and the only team to defeat Barcelona in La Liga this season. With a postponed match against Valencia due to regional flooding, Real Madrid trails Barcelona by nine points at the top of the table.
