The Internal Crisis of Real Madrid: Ancelotti Loses Control of the Team-02-04-2025
The Santiago Bernabéu once again witnessed an unexpected situation, with the full range of comebacks. The Madrid fans expressed their frustration with whistles, felt the tension of tragedy, and ultimately celebrated with euphoria Rüdiger’s goal, which secures their place in the final in Seville, awaiting the outcome of the match between Barça and Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano.
However, the match against Real Sociedad left another list of concerns. The team’s concentration and attitude, defensive mistakes, uncovered gaps in the lineup, poor play, and a sense of disarray between the coach and his star players. It all ended in another fortunate madness, but Madrid supporters fear that the next outcome won’t be as positive.
“It was an entertaining match, with many mistakes, and many good things. I leave with the goal accomplished, we are once again in the final, and we must keep going because we don’t have time to think too much. Many errors, many good things, but in the end, we’ve achieved our goal,” was ‘Carletto’s’ first analysis in the post-match press conference.
The biggest problem for the Madrid team was their lack of focus during the game. They started passively, as if nothing important were at stake, and saw how Real Sociedad took the lead in the tie with just ten minutes remaining. They only woke up when they were on the brink of elimination. The Reggiolo coach hasn’t been able to motivate his players to start with the required intensity.
Then came their defensive vulnerability. Real Madrid conceded four goals to Real Sociedad, one of the lowest-scoring teams in La Liga. In a single match, and with the pressure of playing at the Bernabéu and with a final on the line, the Basques scored 15% of their goals for the league season.
The coaching staff still hasn’t resolved the issue with Lucas Vázquez, who continues to be a target for rival attacks. Asensio is struggling to perform when asked to cover out of position, Camavinga unsuccessfully tried to adapt as a makeshift left-back, and Alaba scored two own goals.
All this happens in a team that still hasn’t found its playing style. Without Ceballos, Madrid only shows signs of life in the final moments, when chaos takes over the field and the team can exploit individual talents. Without the Utrerano, only Modric is able to impose his influence, but even he lacks the stamina to maintain control for the full 90 minutes.
A separate issue is the management of the team’s star players. In the stadium, there were moments of confusion between Vinícius and the bench, when they seemed to suggest a substitution, but the Brazilian refused. Vinícius was even whistled for a few seconds, though he bounced back and, despite some missed chances, ended up being the standout player of the match.
