Individual difficulties, collective ills, heavy defeats… the symptoms of the crisis are numerous in Madrid. The imminent truce should not allow Real to bounce back quickly.
Before facing AC Milan, no one was fooled within the club. A victory would ease the pain of the Clásico, while a defeat would truly plunge Real Madrid into turmoil. Aware of what was at stake, the squad seemed driven by a spirit of revenge, also fueled by the disappointment of the Ballon d'Or.
A spirit of revenge and intensive preparation which ultimately did not make itself felt on the pitch against Milan. Defeat 1-3, whistles in the stadium, and the feeling that the headache is not going to be cured any time soon.
Mandatory victory against Osasuna
If the end of the crisis does not seem so close in Madrid, it is already because the calendar does not offer an opportunity for immediate redemption. Although aware that victory is obligatory this Saturday against Osasuna, the Madrid locker room also knows that a success will not be enough to dispel doubts.
“I don't care if (Mbappé) scores a hat-trick against Osasuna. I wanted it against Barça, against Milan. For the big evenings at the Bernabéu,” insisted journalist Tomas Rancero in the show El Chiringuito this Tuesday evening.
Winning against Osasuna could at least stop the bleeding, and would be good for the heads before the international break. But before November 27, and a perilous trip to Liverpool, Real Madrid will not have the opportunity to reassure the Spanish press and its supporters.
Two weeks of truce, followed by a match in Leganés, suggest that the controversies surrounding the club should not go away any time soon. Because there are many of these symptoms of the crisis which liven up the debates on the Madrid plateaus.
Carlo Ancelotti at the center of criticism
The lack of team balance in the first place. A problem pointed out by Carlo Ancelotti on multiple occasions at press conferences this season, but which does not seem to be improving given the team's defensive difficulties. After 9 goals conceded in three home games, Carlo Ancelotti's position has even come to be called into question by the local press.
Collective difficulties, but also individual deficiencies pointed out. Kylian Mbappé's performance in the number 9 position “could not be worse” according to Thierry Henry, who spent five minutes Tuesday evening on CBS deciphering the Frenchman's errors.
Vinicus Jr, for his part, is not at the level that propelled him just short of the Ballon d'Or. Jude Bellingham has still not scored, and Aurélien Tchouaméni is more than ever criticized by the club's followers.
Even beyond that, the local media also question the lack of playing time for Arda Güler and Endrick, criticize the stars for not coming to speak to the press, and regret the gap in level between the injured Dani Carvajal and his natural replacement Lacas Vazquez.
Liverpool, next turning point of the season
So many problems to resolve, for which it seems impossible to find a miracle solution in the coming days. The clash against Liverpool at the end of November is already being mentioned as a turning point in Madrid. A victory could mark Real's return to the right track. A defeat would deal yet another blow to the heads of Carlo Ancelotti and his team…
