Real Madrid has been criticized by the Spanish media after suffering a shock 3-1 home defeat to AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
The defeat was Madrid’s second in Europe this season, leaving the reigning champions seventeenth in the table, while they are already nine points behind Barcelona in LaLiga.
After losing the first El Clasico of the season 4-0 just over a week ago, Madrid were mauled by Milan on Tuesday and have now conceded seven goals in their last two games.
Spanish outlet Sport believes the club is in ‘total crisis’, while Marca have focused on Madrid’s weaknesses at the back, accusing the team of having ‘no defence’ and putting in ‘scandalous’ performances in their two most recent outings.
Real Madrid defender Lucas Vazquez admitted after Tuesday’s defeat that the team’s defensive statistics are “very poor” but stressed that the entire team had to take responsibility and not just the back four.
Real Madrid were defeated 3-1 by AC Milan on Tuesday and accused of ‘scandalous’ defending
Pressure is mounting on Carlo Ancelotti, with Sport claiming Madrid are in ‘total crisis’
Ancelotti still needs to make the most of the summer this season by signing Kylian Mbappé
‘It’s a very bad figure [the number of goals conceded]’, he told Movistar. ‘Defending, just like attacking, is a collective matter and we must emphasize that.
“We have to keep our heads high because this is still far away, there is still a long way to go and Madrid always fights until the end.”
Madrid have made a habit of fighting back from setbacks in recent seasons, but patience is wearing thin at the Bernabeu, with fans making their feelings clear during and after Tuesday’s match.
Aurelien Tchouameni was jeered at the Bernabeu before being sent off at half-time. IF believe the midfielder has become ‘a problem’, while Ancelotti’s trust in him has been ‘completely shattered’.
Madrid are reportedly open to selling Tchouameni if they can receive a suitable offer, just two years after signing him for £85million.
Meanwhile, Fede Valverde was also taken away during the break on Tuesday, leading to his wife, Mina Bonino, hitting out at Ancelotti on Italian manager.
Sport has also raised concerns about the lack of impact from young stars Endrick and Arda Guler this season.
Pressure is mounting on Ancelotti, who has yet to get the best out of Kylian Mbappe since his arrival in the summer, while Jude Bellingham has gone almost six months without a goal for the club.
England star Jude Bellingham has not scored a goal for Madrid in almost six months
Aurelien Tchouameni was taken off the pitch at half-time on Tuesday and Ancelotti’s confidence in him is said to have been ‘completely damaged’
Fede Valverde was also taken off the pitch during the break, and his wife Mina Bonino (pictured) punched Ancelotti at X
Madrid fans are losing confidence in Ancelotti and some are calling for the return of Zinedine Zidane
Xabi Alonso is the dream appointment next summer, but Madrid may not be able to wait that long
Madrid supporters are already calling for Zinedine Zidane’s return for a third spell in charge, and former Los Blancos player and youth team coach Santiago Solari is also highly regarded.
The dream signing is Xabi Alonso next summer, but Madrid may not be willing to wait until then if their current form continues.
They are now in real danger of not automatically qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League, with tough trips to Liverpool and Atalanta on the horizon.
Madrid end the league phase by hosting Red Bull Salzburg before traveling to Brest.
But time is running out for them to turn things around and save their season, with Ancelotti having to sort out numerous issues and quickly losing the support of the club’s fanbase after the last two disastrous results.
Madrid are back in action on Saturday when they take on Osasuna in their final match before the international break, and they cannot afford to fall any further behind Barcelona in the title race.