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Can Real Madrid Overcome Defensive Issues Against Arsenal in Champions League?

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Real Madrid faces a tough test against Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinal, with the team's defensive vulnerabilities a major concern.


Real Madrid's attacking prowess is well-known, but the team has a vulnerable defense that Arsenal aims to exploit in their Champions League quarter-final first leg match on Tuesday. Carlo Ancelotti's forwards have not always been able to compensate for the team's defensive weaknesses, as evident in their 2-1 loss to Valencia in La Liga on Saturday. This surprise defeat left Real Madrid four points behind league leaders Barcelona and marked their 10th loss of the season across all competitions, a significant increase from the previous year when they suffered just two losses all season.


Ancelotti attributes the team's defensive struggles, in part, to the arrival of Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain. While Mbappe has added an extra edge to Madrid's attack, his presence has come at the expense of defensive solidity. The team's attacking quartet, comprising Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes, and now Mbappe, has been the main driving force behind Madrid's success, but their defensive vulnerabilities have been exposed on several occasions.




Real Madrid's defensive struggles have been a concern, particularly with the loss of Toni Kroos last summer. The German midfielder's retirement left a void in the team's midfield, where his poise and precision are deeply missed. Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged the impact of Kylian Mbappe's arrival, saying, “This year we are much more effective up front because of the arrival of Mbappe, who has 33 goals, and there is a bit more suffering at the back.” Ancelotti hinted that the team's focus on attacking effectiveness has come at the expense of defensive solidity, stating, “When you have to choose, it can happen... we're thinking about having this effectiveness and doing a bit more collective work defensively.”


The situation is further complicated by the suspension of holding midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni for the visit to the Emirates. Additionally, goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin have been dealing with fitness concerns, although 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez made his debut against Valencia. Ancelotti expressed optimism about the potential return of Courtois and Lunin, saying, “I think we could have both of them back.” However, the team's defensive vulnerabilities were exposed in the loss to Valencia, with Ancelotti candidly admitting, “Opponents don't need to work hard to score against us.” This sentiment was underscored by Hugo Duro's 95th-minute winner, which stunned the Santiago Bernabeu. The defeat came just four days after Real Madrid conceded four goals at home to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey, although they managed to progress to the final with a 5-4 aggregate win.


Defensive Decline

Real Madrid's defensive performance has declined significantly this season, with the team conceding 31 league goals, five more than they did in the entire 2023-24 campaign. This vulnerability was exposed in their Champions League defeats to Liverpool, AC Milan, and Lille, which forced Madrid into the new play-off round. Although they managed to overcome Manchester City 6-3 on aggregate, this tie showcased Madrid's new approach at its best, with Kylian Mbappe scoring four goals against Pep Guardiola's City. However, stronger opponents will likely be able to exploit Madrid's defensive flaws.


Last season, Real Madrid made a remarkable run to Wembley without losing a single match in the Champions League. However, this season has presented significant defensive challenges for Carlo Ancelotti's team. Long-term injuries to Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao have created problems at the back, while David Alaba has only recently returned from injury and is still far from his best form. Despite the need for defensive reinforcement, Madrid did not make any significant signings in this area last summer.


Ancelotti has had to find alternative solutions, turning to 22-year-old Raul Asencio, who has performed reasonably well despite being an unestablished figure. Antonio Rudiger has also done his best to keep Madrid's defense afloat. Fortunately for Madrid, Rudiger, along with Kylian Mbappe, was given a suspended one-match ban by UEFA, clearing them to play against Arsenal. The ban was imposed due to indecent conduct following their celebrations after the last 16 win over Atletico Madrid.


Carlo Ancelotti has been inconsistent in his messaging about what he wants from his strikers, particularly Kylian Mbappe. In October, he stated, “I prefer he scores goals (rather) than he presses,” suggesting that he values Mbappe's goal-scoring ability over his defensive work rate. However, at other times, Ancelotti has demanded a higher level of effort from Mbappe and Vinicius in terms of pressing and defensive responsibilitie.


This mixed messaging may reflect Ancelotti's ongoing efforts to find a balance between the team's attacking prowess and defensive vulnerabilities. As he continues to work on this balance, Ancelotti will hope that Mbappe and his teammates can maintain a high level of goal-scoring productivity while limiting the number of goals conceded.



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