The Spanish and European champions, Real Madrid, experienced only one league loss last season, which came at the hands of Atletico Madrid on September 24, 2023. Despite some criticism in the Spanish media regarding their style of play, Madrid has effectively gone unbeaten for an entire league campaign, spanning last season and the start of the current one.
In a recent news conference, Carlo Ancelotti addressed the perception of Madrid’s playing style. “For me, I don’t think it’s true that we play badly,” he stated. He highlighted the team’s versatility, explaining, “What stands out the most is that Real Madrid, over the years, doesn’t have a single identity. We’ve done things well, defended effectively in a low block, executed quick transitions, and managed possession in various games.”
Ancelotti acknowledged that the lack of a clear identity might lead some to believe the team lacks a specific style. “And that’s the truth—we don’t have a style; we have many styles,” he asserted.
Looking ahead, Madrid is set to host Alaves on Tuesday, aiming to close the four-point gap behind league leaders Barcelona. This match will also mark Ancelotti’s 300th game in charge across two spells with the club. When asked about potential rotations in the lineup, the coach indicated there would be changes, particularly regarding their top scorer, Kylian Mbappe, after Vinicius Junior was benched during Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Espanyol.
Ancelotti noted that while Madrid struggled to score in the first half against Espanyol, they excelled in the second half. “We should put more intensity in, but understanding that teams lower their intensity in the second halves and there’s more space,” he explained.
In terms of player updates, midfielder Jude Bellingham appeared to sustain a shoulder injury during the match against Espanyol. However, Ancelotti reassured fans that Bellingham would be ready to face Alaves. Additionally, the coach confirmed that French defender Ferland Mendy has signed a new contract with the club, extending his stay until 2027.
