MADRID — On Tuesday, the atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium was filled with discontent, as fans expressed their frustrations both before and after the match. The Champions League anthem was met with boos, and following the game, Real Madrid’s lengthy unbeaten streak of 15 matches in the tournament came to an abrupt halt.
The disappointment among supporters was palpable, particularly surrounding Vinícius Júnior’s failure to secure the Ballon d’Or, compounded by yet another lackluster performance from the team. Following a heavy 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in the recent “clasico,” Madrid suffered a further setback with a 3-1 loss to AC Milan in the Champions League. Coach Carlo Ancelotti did not shy away from revealing his concerns.
“We need to be worried; we are not showcasing our best selves,” Ancelotti stated. “Our team isn’t compact, and we need to rectify that. We are lacking order, leading to too many goals conceded.” Madrid, a dominant force in European football with a record 15 Champions League titles, has now let in seven goals across four matches in the tournament. They also faced a 1-0 loss at Lille and have fallen behind in their last three games, although they managed a comeback victory against Borussia Dortmund at home, winning 5-2 despite initially falling behind.
“It’s only natural to feel concerned given these circumstances,” Ancelotti acknowledged. “We will have our share of sleepless nights, but it’s crucial to focus on improving and recapturing the defensive solidity we once had.” As it stands, Madrid finds itself in a precarious 17th place within the 36-team Champions League league phase.
Midfielder Luka Modric emphasized the importance of unity in overcoming these challenges. “We need to come together to address our shortcomings,” he remarked. “This isn’t a crisis; I have been here for 12 years, and this is far from the first time we’ve faced such a scenario. Quality alone won’t suffice; we need to collaborate more effectively as a team to make things simpler for us. I have confidence we’ll rise again.”
Defensive lapses have emerged as a significant concern for Madrid, who have conceded 10 goals over their last four fixtures. “This is far too many for a club of our caliber,” Ancelotti declared. “Our strength used to lie in our defensive solidity.” The attacking phase has also faced challenges, with Kylian Mbappé struggling to forge a connection with teammates Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo.
“The problem isn’t about Vinícius and Mbappé or their chemistry,” Ancelotti explained. “It’s more about how easily our opponents can approach our goal and create dangerous situations. We must enhance our cohesion as a team during critical moments. At present, we are unable to demonstrate an effective work ethic.”
The fans voiced their frustrations even before the match, booing the UEFA Champions League anthem after the club opted not to attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony last week, where Vinícius Júnior was not awarded the coveted title. This action, combined with their lack of support for the anthem previously, showcased the growing discontent among the supporters.