“We think we have detected the problem, we will see if it is true tomorrow” – Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti
After the third defeat of the season against AC Milan, Carlo Ancelotti does not lack pressure at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid will be desperate for a response against Osasuna on Saturday at home, as will Ancelotti.
Before the season after a draw with Las Palmas, Ancelotti explained that the coaching staff was aware of the problems they were dealing with, but the evidence is that they could not solve them. Ancelotti said he hoped to see his solutions appear on the pitch against Los Rojillo.
“We think we have found the solution, but this is the theory. The reality will be seen tomorrow. This is not the place to talk about the problems we had.”
“Sacrifice. Concentration. Collective work. I have repeated it many times, defensive work is this. Nothing more.”#RealMadrid manager Carlo Ancelotti on what he is looking for from his side. pic.twitter.com/MhLEb6n8Fb
— Football España (@footballespana_) November 8, 2024
“Yes, obviously we talked, analyzed the situation. We think we have found the solution, but it must be seen in practice. Let us see a different version. I see the team united, motivated and aware. We detected the correct solution. But we have to wait until until tomorrow to see if he acts in the right way.”
“(The players) think about how we can turn things around. But after the words, we must act. I can talk, but what we need to do is to return the situation. One thing is my words, they will be lost in the wind , but the show stops tomorrow.
“I can give you an idea of what will happen tomorrow, but now is not the time. Although we are waiting for tomorrow, to see how it goes. Ours is not an offensive problem, nor a positional problem. It is a problem of defense”.
As for how exactly his players could improve, Ancelotti explained the defensive work he wanted to see from his players.
“Sacrifice, concentration and collective work. I have said it many times and I will repeat it. Sacrifice, to be a compact team, concentration to make correct decisions in defense and to be in the right place; and the collective work because it defends itself as a compact team… It was seen last year that we can be a fantastic team. The key is to be a compact team. It doesn't matter if the block is high or low, the base is to be compact.”
A challenge Ancelotti very challenged his players to show him what they had not done against Barcelona and AC Milan: defend. In both matches, a lack of effort was seen during some of the goals conceded, as well as a lack of cohesion throughout the team. Ancelotti has tried different systems but finds his options limited, with David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Aurelien Tchouameni and Thibaut Courtois out of action.
