Real Madrid cannot lose in the Champions League – this apparent law of nature no longer applies this season. After the debacle in the Clásico against Barcelona, there is another defeat in the premier class. Even the minimum goal seems to be in danger.
The next Champions League defeat has increased Real Madrid’s worries. “We have to worry, we are not showing the best version of ourselves,” said coach Carlo Ancelotti after the 1:3 at AC Milan, the second clear defeat in a row after the 0:4 against FC Barcelona in the Spanish league . “We are not that compact as a team and we have to change that. We lack order and as a result we concede too many goals,” criticized Ancelotti.
In four Champions League games, Real now has two wins and two defeats and has already conceded seven goals – only nine of the 36 teams have conceded more goals. “It’s normal to be worried in a situation like this. We have to endure some long nights, but we have to work hard to improve things and find the resilience that we had for so long and now don’t have.”
Defending champions in the bottom half of the table
The defending champions are only in 17th place in the table and can slip even further after the games on Wednesday evening. The direct qualification for the round of 16 of the best eight teams is in danger – and even the minimum target of 24th place and the continuation of the competition in the knockout round is suddenly no longer completely certain.
“We have to stand together and improve what we do badly,” demanded veteran Luka Modric. “It’s not a crisis, that’s not a word I like to talk about. I have been here for twelve years and this is not the first time that I have experienced a situation like this,” emphasized the Croatian. “The quality is not high enough, we have to work together more as a team, then it will be easier for us. I’m sure we’ll get back up.”
Meanwhile, Ancelotti did not want to accept the fact that Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. had not yet found a connection in attack as a reason for the weak phase. “The problem has nothing to do with Vinícius and Mbappé or whether they get along,” Ancelotti said. “It is too easy for our opponents to create dangerous situations in our penalty area.”
jb/dpa
