Real Madrid abandons tactical experiment and Carlo Ancelotti admits they “don't have players for small spaces”
Manager of Real Madrid Carlo Ancelotti he admitted that his team is not well suited to play the teams that are deeper against them. The Italian's job is to make sure they get involved in games with a lot of turnovers, but he won't do that with three players at the back.
After Aurelien Tchouameni dropped alongside the central defenders on Saturday against Celta Vigo to help carry the ball. It was discarded in Galicia, and Marco informed on Monday that it would not be used again, after it went bad. Ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night, Ancelotti addressed the issue.
The three central defenders were with the ball, but without the ball there had to be a line with four defenders, as we have always done and always will do. This team does not defend with five, it may be that at the end of a match, it puts more “behind when you win, and defends with five, six or seven, but as a general idea there will always be. four.”
The Italian coach was asked many questions about the position of Jude Bellinghamwho saw his goal figures drop drastically, and was also questioned about the comments he had made before the season. Ancelotti said this season that he wants “rock and roll” football, something that suits his team to his mind.
“That's what I want. A back-and-forth game is good for us. We have more difficulties in possession, with a low block, and controlled games because we don't have players with the characteristics to play in small spaces. What we have are players who they can take advantage of their characteristics in the open space.”
“So we are focused on defending better, this is the key, as we did last year, when we defended very, very well. We are working to make the team more solid. It is the key for the season.”
Tchouameni, who has been heavily criticized this season operating in defense and midfield, also remains important to Ancelotti. There was no specific aspect of the defense that they were working on, other than being more solid.
“In all aspects: being more compact, moving more with the defensive line… All the work is to have the team as compact as possible. And Tchouameni is a very important player because he recovers a lot of balls, he adapts to many position… It's a fundamental player. These are things you have to work on because sometimes they forget if you don't work on them.”
Real Madrid remains the second best defense in La Liga behind rivals Atletico Madrid, but this is no small feat to Thibaut Courtois, who remains one of the best in the world between two sticks. Courtois' presence was key not only against Celta, but also in their win over Stuttgart. The feeling is that the Blancos are much shakier than last season.
