As Real Madrid prepare to face 2021/22 Serie A champions AC Milan, they know they have to take serious stock of their squad and the major tactical deficiencies that Barcelona tore apart in their last game,
Real Madrid have lost to Barcelona 4-0 before under the management of Carlo Ancelotti, who, in 2022, promptly responded to the humiliating defeat at the hands of Xavi by winning the Champions League with three straight Remontadas.
Something feels different, though, about this season, because even though Real Madrid are the defending Champions League winners and added Kylian Mbappe and Endrick this summer, Barcelona are the ones in the lead in La Liga right now with a very fearsome playing style under new coach Hansi Flick.
Ancelotti has his work cut out for him, but it sounds like the legendary Italian manager is taking his mistakes very seriously before he faces his former club – and another historic powerhouse of the Champions League.
Per a report from Relevo, Carlo Ancelotti is pondering alternatives to his current tactical setup so that he can improve the Real Madrid press, which has been one of the club’s greatest tactical weaknesses.
Before, Real Madrid could get away with not having a defined press, including under Zinedine Zidane, but now Ancelotti is realizing that with Flick and Barcelona changing the game in their own league, Carlo needs to take every single wrinkle or advantage into consideration.
Real Madrid have the personnel to press. Jude Bellingham is elite at leading the line in the attacking midfield and winning possession, as he plays with the pressing quality of a defender.
Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes are two of the most hard-working wingers in the world, and Rodrygo, in particular, is an elite defensive player who covers the flank as well as some attacking fullbacks.
The one weakness would be Kylian Mbappe, but you have to figure that a player as well-trained as he is from top French academies and with his athletic tools would be a great presser if he were to put his mind to it.
Real Madrid can’t mess around after being undressed by Barcelona in front of their own fans at the Santiago Bernabeu. They were embarrassed, and it’s time for them to address a specific embarrassing weakness that they’ve never gotten right for years.
