Imagine this: Real Madrid, fresh off a Champions League victory and the signing of Kylian Mbappe, are poised for utter domination. But instead, they stumble. What went wrong? Carlo Ancelotti, now coaching Brazil, reveals the shocking truth behind his final, trophy-less season in Madrid. He points to a crippling defensive crisis that forced him to completely dismantle his tactical plans.
Ancelotti's tenure at Real Madrid concluded in a manner drastically different from what anyone anticipated. Following triumphs in La Liga and the Champions League in 2024, coupled with the high-profile acquisition of Kylian Mbappe to complement existing stars like Vinícius Junior and Jude Bellingham, expectations were astronomical. Yet, the season culminated in disappointment. They trailed Barcelona by four points in La Liga and suffered a quarter-final exit in the Champions League, ultimately leading to Ancelotti's replacement by Xabi Alonso. Talk about a fall from grace!
Now, the veteran coach is providing a detailed account of the factors that contributed to the team's downfall. In an interview with AS, Ancelotti explained how an unprecedented wave of defensive injuries compelled Los Blancos to deviate from their established structure. The simultaneous sidelining of Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao due to anterior cruciate ligament injuries, compounded by Antonio Rudiger playing through considerable pain, effectively stripped Madrid of the defensive foundation that had underpinned their previous successes. But here's where it gets controversial... Ancelotti insists the defensive woes triggered a chain reaction that reverberated throughout the entire team. This crisis necessitated constant adjustments to player rotations, midfield configurations, and ultimately, destabilized the team's rhythm and cohesion. Ancelotti emphasizes that the collapse stemmed less from individual departures and more from the collective loss of the team's defensive identity. Could this be a subtle dig at the board's transfer policy?
"We lost our entire starting defence," Ancelotti stated, emphasizing the severity of the situation. He elaborated on the specific challenges Madrid faced: “What happened was that we lost our entire starting defence. We lost Carvajal and Militao, and Rudiger played with a serious injury. Luckily, [Raul] Asensio came up from the youth academy and did very well. Let’s not forget that many times I had to play [Federico] Valverde at right-back and [Aurelian] Tchouameni at centre-back, which left the midfield with significant absences. We lost solidity at the back, and that cost us titles.” Imagine asking a midfielder to suddenly play center back in a Champions League quarter final – the pressure must have been immense.
He directly refuted the suggestion that Toni Kroos' departure played a role in destabilizing the team, stating: “I don’t think it was because of Kroos, because we adapted to playing with [Eduardo] Camavinga, [Dani] Ceballos, Bellingham, Tchouameni, or Valverde. We have great midfielders, but finding another Kroos or [Luka] Modric is impossible.” This is a bold statement, considering how vital Kroos was to Madrid's midfield for so long. Did Ancelotti truly believe the team adapted seamlessly, or is he simply being diplomatic?
Following his departure from Madrid, the 66-year-old Ancelotti assumed the role of head coach for Brazil – a prospect he admits he hadn't seriously considered during his time in Spain. "Thinking about going to another club was difficult for me because of the legacy I had left here, which was huge," he said. "I found it hard to imagine myself at another club. But then Brazil called, and it became a great challenge, a great dream to prepare for a World Cup with the five-time champion team, the historic Selecao. Besides, being the national team coach is a different job. I really enjoy what I'm doing. I made the right decision."
He further elaborated on the differences between managing a club like Real Madrid and a national team like Brazil. "At Real Madrid, I had brutal daily pressure… six press conferences a week. Brazil is also under pressure, but it’s a more relaxed job, more about observation than intervention. I don't have much time to train, but that was already the case at the clubs because of the demanding schedules. I try to learn every day about the current state of football in Brazil, the country's culture, everything. I live in Rio de Janeiro as much as possible. I really like the city. Now I'm not involved in the daily grind like before. There's time to observe calmly: the players, the structure of Brazilian football, with a very young Confederation president who wants to change things for the better. All of that is good." It sounds like Ancelotti is enjoying a less intense, more strategic role.
Ancelotti is also focused on unlocking Vinicius's full potential for Brazil, acknowledging that “With the national team, he hasn't been able to reach the level he usually has at Real Madrid. But in these last few matches, he's improved and has done very well with Brazil, scoring goals and providing assists. Nobody can dispute his qualities. Vini is top-class.” He also addressed Vini’s controversial emotional outburst in El Clasico after being substituted by Alonso: "He simply made a mistake that day and needs to understand his new role at Real Madrid, a more important role in the dressing room than before. He made a mistake, he apologised, and he must learn from it. The coach has the right to make the changes he needs to improve the team." This is a crucial point – can Vinicius adapt to a more mature, leadership-oriented role, or will his fiery temper continue to be a liability?
What lies ahead for Ancelotti's Brazil? Two upcoming international friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia will be crucial in building momentum for the World Cup preparations. Ancelotti aims to revitalize the team following a recent defeat to Japan. Brazil has already secured its place in the 2026 World Cup, maintaining its perfect record of participation in every edition of the tournament. The spotlight is now firmly on Ancelotti as he seeks to solidify Brazil's form and refine the team in preparation for his most significant challenge yet: securing a sixth World Cup title. Considering the pressure and expectations, can he deliver?
What do you think? Was the defensive crisis the real reason for Real Madrid's downfall, or were there other factors at play that Ancelotti is hesitant to discuss? And can he truly replicate Vinicius's Real Madrid form with the Brazilian national team? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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