3 ways Carlo Ancelotti can improve the floundering Real Madrid attack

Make better use of Real Madrid’s bench options

While I understand that Real Madrid do not have depth on the wings comparable to Manchester City or Bayern Munich, if we are talking about other teams in LaLiga, you have to say that their overall options at forward are far superior to the competition. And since the main goal is to win the league, you would think that Ancelotti would have more confidence in these players.

Isco and Eden Hazard were matchwinners in the Copa del Rey. Luka Jovic was a key reason why Real Madrid earned all three points in two must-win LaLiga fixtures against Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid a couple of months ago.

None of these players is the best option at their positions, and nobody should argue for them being in the starting XI. But that has never been the argument. Madridistas see how fatigued Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr. are at times, and they also see how Jovic and Hazard have helped turn the tide of matches off the bench, including a few weeks ago against Granada.

Isco is particularly underrated. He has been solid throughout 2021-22 despite his limited opportunities. Real Madrid know that he is leaving as a free agent anyway and would prefer to give those minutes to someone who is part of the club’s future, but since the main focus is on winning, he can help out.

Madridistas want to see Ancelotti make smarter use of his subs, as opposed to waiting until the 80th minute to make changes. The midfielders can be a big part of that, particularly Camavinga, but so, too, can the forwards. Jovic is not a great fit for Real as a starting striker, but he is a goal-scoring option. These are the players Ancelotti has at his disposal, and while we can pick them apart, the reality is that it is Carletto’s responsibility to make the best use of them. That’s why he was hired in the first place. In this respect, the ex-Milan manager could be doing better.