Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, exudes optimism as he believes he has pinpointed an effective remedy to address his team‘s alarming decline after suffering two significant home defeats in swift succession.
Los Blancos are gearing up for a crucial La Liga showdown against Osasuna on Saturday, reeling from a disappointing 3-1 defeat to AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League, following an earlier humiliating 4-0 loss at the hands of their El Clasico foes, Barcelona, at the Santiago Bernabeu.
This season has posed consistency challenges for Ancelotti’s squad, which has already experienced two defeats in the European arena.
In a candid assessment, the seasoned 65-year-old Italian manager revealed he has engaged with his players regarding their recent struggles, aiming to instill a turnaround in their fortunes.
“It’s a difficult time for everyone,” Ancelotti acknowledged in his statements to the media on Friday. “We have thoroughly evaluated the situation with the players. We genuinely believe we have discovered the solution. However, it’s paramount that we implement that theory into practice. This is our goal—to adopt a different style of play.
“It’s about sacrifice, focus, and teamwork. This is nothing new for us. We must function as a cohesive unit, which requires commitment and concentration to make the right passes. When we play together, we defend together, and last season we executed that brilliantly.”
Ancelotti continued, noting they have utilized this reflection time to devise strategies for improvement, affirming, “We understand that we possess the capacity to perform better.”
A concerning nine goals conceded in their last three matches has led many to speculate about potential moves in the January transfer window, particularly to reinforce a defense ravaged by injuries. Currently, the European champions find themselves missing key players, including Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, and David Alaba.
In particular, Carvajal’s injury has sparked intense rumors regarding a prospective acquisition of Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, who faces an impending contract expiration with the Premier League club next summer.
“It’s entirely normal to acknowledge that we’re experiencing a challenging period,” Ancelotti remarked. “It’s not unusual, and there’s no difficulty in admitting this present challenge. Defeats are part of football. Are we accustomed to such setbacks? No, not really, because we have enjoyed a lengthy spell of success. Now that we’re in a tough patch, we accept that reality.”
The veteran coach also emphasized the importance of focusing on the present rather than looking to the transfer window as a quick fix for their dilemmas. “At this moment, it’s inappropriate to discuss signings,” he stated firmly. “To contemplate potential transfers now would be overlooking a proper assessment of the issues we face. We cannot make signings now; that discussion will come in the following months.”
Kylian Mbappe’s recent performances are under scrutiny, as the star French forward has yet to make a definitive impact since his highly anticipated transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Madrid this past summer.
Despite having scored eight goals in his 15 appearances, Mbappe has managed only a single goal in his last five outings.
“I haven’t approached him about this matter and I won’t,” Ancelotti confirmed. “This is a dialogue for him to have with the national team coach, and I have no standing to judge his choices. He has made his decision, which we must accept. I refrain from passing judgment. Mbappe is fine; he’s motivated, though understandably downcast like everyone else, but he’s committed to reviving the team’s performance.”
Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and more on TNT Sports and discovery+.
**Interview with Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid Manager**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Carlo. Let’s start with the recent challenges your team has faced. After two significant defeats, what was your immediate reaction, and how are you addressing the situation?
**Carlo Ancelotti:** Thank you for having me. It’s certainly been a difficult time for everyone involved with the club. We’ve taken a hard look at what went wrong in our last two matches—against AC Milan and Barcelona—and discussed it openly with the players. I believe we’ve pinpointed a solution, but it’s essential for us to implement it effectively on the pitch.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned a change in style of play. Can you elaborate on what that looks like?
**Carlo Ancelotti:** Absolutely. Our focus is on sacrifice, teamwork, and staying concentrated. We need to function as a cohesive unit. When we play together, we can defend together. That’s what made last season so successful for us. Adopting a different approach will require commitment and discipline in our play.
**Interviewer:** Defense seems to be a pressing issue, especially with injuries to key players like Courtois and Carvajal. How are you planning to navigate this situation?
**Carlo Ancelotti:** Injuries are part of football, and they pose challenges. We recognize that we’ve conceded nine goals in our last three matches, which is concerning. While discussions about reinforcements in January are inevitable, my priority right now is to improve our current squad and the style of play we adopt.
**Interviewer:** There are rumors linking players like Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid due to these injuries. What are your thoughts on these transfer speculations?
**Carlo Ancelotti:** It’s normal for such rumors to surface during challenging times. However, I want to emphasize that right now, it’s inappropriate to focus on potential signings. Our emphasis should be on maximizing the talent we have and finding solutions within the current squad.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, heading into the match against Osasuna, what is your message to the fans and players?
**Carlo Ancelotti:** I want to reassure our fans that we are committed to turning this around. They have been incredible in their support, and we need their energy. To the players, it’s about putting in the work, staying focused, and believing in our ability to overcome this tough patch. That’s the path forward for us.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Carlo. Best of luck in the upcoming match!
**Carlo Ancelotti:** Thank you very much! We’ll give our best. Hala Madrid!