Real Madrid is one of Karim Benzema’s crisis.
However, even with the sublime Frenchman having compatibility and shots, and Barcelona’s archrivals drawing attention in the dumps, nerves have worn thin in the Spanish capital.
Madrid then suffered a defeat by the same score away to Espanyol, their first defeat in 25 La Liga matches. The start of the season was chaotic for Los Blancos.
An early winning streak to give Ancelotti’s moment in command a smart start, but after further analysis, cracks appeared.
They needed two goals to snatch victory from Valencia from the jaws of defeat, while Rodrygo’s 89th-minute goal gave them an important cushion in Europe.
If Madrid had left the San Siro with 3 points, the defeat of the sheriff would have already led to calls to the head of Ancelotti.
As it stands, this will remain a humiliation, but a massive gap in their aspirations.
The arrival of the Italian to update Zinedine Zidane was not met with wonderful fanfare, as it looked like a tentative appointment with other features that were not available.
Some worry that the decline has already begun in Madrid after an initial run of goals, adding a 5-2 win over Celta Vigo, a 4-1 win at Alaves and a 6-1 win over Real Mallorca.
Others point to the many absences due to mitigation of injuries, although in recent years in Madrid you have to inform the coaches to live with it.
Madrid’s defensive debut was not easy, with Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos, their great defenders of the last decade, leaving for Manchester United and PSG respectively.
Nacho and Eder Militao shone last season when needed, but started the season shaking now that they are the first choice, especially the Spaniard.
David Alaba is Madrid’s centre-back but also their left-back, at least until Ferland Mendy returns from injury. Ancelotti doesn’t know where to put him, with Miguel Gutierrez promising but prone to making mistakes.
The coach used six other defenders in Madrid’s first 10 games of the season, cutting and changing, mostly in the grooves.
This instability has not helped much, the 3 blank sheets received so far basically thanks to the exploits of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
On the other hand, Ancelotti’s tweaks have not been entirely convincing. Marco Asensio’s move into midfield resulted in three goals against a desolate Mallorca but caused disorder against Villarreal, with Madrid out of the game.
The coach started the season with Gareth Bale in the squad and Vinicius Junior on the sidelines, but the Brazilian made his way without being able to live up to his form. Eden Hazard, meanwhile, has shown flashes of elegance but is still unable to stay fit.
Eduardo Camavinga has been an exciting watch, so after arriving from Rennes, he still does not have a transparent position in the team, and there have been start-up problems to incorporate him, Asensio and Fede Valverde into a midfield trio established for years.
Literally in the case of Casemiro, who missed Brazil’s matches with a dental infection, while crossing the crusade in his worst form since his debut as a midfielder.
“Ancelotti is living the tension these days in Valdebebas,” Marca wrote earlier this week.
Most of his team is on missions abroad, although Dani Ceballos, Dani Carvajal, Bale, Isco and Mariano are also injured.
Madrid has no match next weekend as its clash with Athletic Club is postponed due to the Covid protocols that affect its South American players, so the well has three weeks of rest.
However, with Ancelotti having so few players available, this is not very productive.
“We thought about why the team has changed its attitude,” the coach said. In fact, there is plenty of time for that now.
It’s also time to ask how Kylian Mbappé can integrate next season. The PSG forward is strongly connected to Madrid, refused to sign a new contract in Paris and “speaks Spanish very well”, according to new teammate Lionel Messi.
There is a danger that this could become a waiting season for Madrid, which could end their concentration. Fans purred about the Frenchman’s winning goal against Spain in Sunday night’s Nations League final, as well as his romance with Benzema.
The Madrid striker scored a brilliant equalizing goal against Luis Enrique’s La Roja and has nine so far in the league, the most sensible scorer in the division.
Benzema has been at Madrid starting the season well, as he is also the most productive passer in the department with seven games in eight.
It is his form that kept Madrid more sensible with 17 problems after 8 games, along with Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad. The image seems passable for Ancelotti
If Benzema were injured it would be a relegation unless everyone gets more tuned.