Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti believes he has identified a way to reverse his team’s recent poor form following back-to-back heavy home defeats.
Heading into Saturday’s La Liga fixture against Osasuna, Los Blancos are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 3-1 defeat to AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League, which followed an even more shocking 4-0 loss to Barcelona in El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.
This season has seen Real Madrid struggle to find consistency, with two losses in European competitions already casting a shadow.
Ancelotti, 65, revealed that he held crucial discussions with his squad to address their recent struggles, expressing optimism about implementing changes.
“It’s a challenging period for everyone,” Ancelotti shared with reporters on Friday.
“We’ve reviewed the situation with the players, and we think we have found a solution. But now it’s about putting it into practice, to play differently.”
Ancelotti emphasized the importance of “sacrifice, focus, and teamwork,”
qualities he believes are fundamental to achieving a turnaround.
“To play as a team, you have to defend as a team,” he said. “That’s what we did brilliantly last season.”
Currently trailing nine points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, who are rejuvenated under new coach Hansi Flick, Ancelotti acknowledges the tough road ahead but remains hopeful.
“We’ve had time to think and come up with solutions,” he added. “We know we can perform better.”
With nine goals conceded in their last three matches, Real Madrid’s defensive vulnerabilities have become a major talking point, fueling speculation about potential reinforcements in the January transfer window.
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Key players like Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, and David Alaba are all sidelined with injuries.
Carvajal’s absence, in particular, has led to rumors of a potential move for Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contract with the Premier League side expires next summer.
However, Ancelotti dismissed talk of January signings as a quick fix.
“Right now is not the time to discuss transfers,” he said.
“Evaluating our issues should take priority over speculating about signings. We’ll talk about that in the coming months.”
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe’s recent form has also sparked conversation.
After his high-profile transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, the French star has yet to consistently deliver for Real Madrid, scoring just one goal in his last five appearances despite tallying eight in 15 overall.
Mbappe’s omission from Didier Deschamps’ France squad for upcoming Nations League matches has added to the scrutiny.
Ancelotti maintained that he has no intention of intervening in the matter, noting,
“This is between Mbappe and the national team coach. Mbappe remains motivated, like the rest of us, to help lift the team.”
With a renewed focus on unity and tactical adjustments, Ancelotti and Real Madrid will aim to turn their season around, beginning with a crucial clash against Osasuna.
