Real Madrid: The pros and cons of sticking with Carlo Ancelotti next season
THE CONS
Ancelotti’s rigid anti-rotation policy at Real Madrid
The first and most critical downside of extending Ancelotti for another season is his predilection for playing the same lineup over straight matches, which causes the squad several personal and collective problems. Similarly, during the manager’s last tenure at Real, he preferred nothing but Bale, Benzema, and Cristiano, even in lower-tier games; by this, I don’t suggest that the men were poor, which is not the case even today, but weariness was a factor that was left unaddressed.
Despite providing the side with some offensive capability, this has made the entire game quite tedious because the coach just does not want to explore. Fede Valverde and Camavinga, who are regarded as the future of this team’s midfield, are relegated to the bench as backup options for Kroos and Casemiro, not Modric, who simply cannot be replaced. Returning to the topic, the list does not finish here. Rodrygo Goes is among the players who have been overlooked by Ancelotti, which may push the Brazilian to eventually quit.
All of the aforementioned players have done everything possible to please Ancelotti, but something plainly does not sit well with him. “Don Carlo” appears to have chosen his favourites from the team and now refuses to look at those who are not on his list. Eden Hazard, who is probably at the end of his career at Real, may be the player who has suffered the most as a result of his favouritism.
Favouritism is not good for the ones favoured either
Based on the reasons described above, it may appear that Ancelotti’s chosen players will gain from this approach, but the truth is not as it appears; rather, it is the contrary. Those who are liked by Ancelotti face the same level of disadvantages as those who are not.
Thibaut Courtois, Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Vinicius Jr, Toni Kroos, Casemiro, and other players in the usual starting XI are at significant risk of injury as a result of the overburden. Ancelotti wants these players to start every single game, even those against lower-tier clubs where second choices may be deployed, exposing them to a higher risk of fatigue and long-term injuries. Case in point: Benzema, Mendy get injured in the Mallorca game on Monday, days before El Clasico.
All of these key players are vital to the squad and should be rested properly to get the most out of them, which necessitates rotation, which was previously addressed. Benzema, Vini, and Alaba are examples of players who have previously been sidelined due to injuries caused by over-exertion, but Ancelotti continues to dismiss the argument.
Real Madrid are currently in La Liga and the Champions League, with dominant positions in both competitions, and these tough games require influential players who are experienced and in perfect health, so it is now up to the manager to either resolve his substitution stance or fall into a pit of injuries similar to that of Zidane’s previous tenure.
Ancelotti’s tactics leave an impression of predictability for opponents to exploit
This argument is linked to the previous two in the sense that Ancelotti’s reticence in experimenting with fresh players on the bench has left the team and his tactics very evident to opponents who don’t leave a chance to fight against it and convert it to their advantage.
Real Madrid, as previously said, does not have a new style of play. Every game, the plan is the same, and the opponents are fast to respond to adjustments and overpower Real. The manager’s approach to a game was novel and refreshing at first, but has now become apparent to the point that they have begun to suffer.
Low blocks continue to plague Ancelotti and his players, which may be credited to all of the dismal draws this season. Los Blancos are renowned as the “Robin Hoods of La Liga” for their repeated struggles against clubs that are more likely to lose than those who are more likely to win, all of which may be traced to the Italian manager’s tactics.
Though the squad is in a comfortable position at the top of the table, if such techniques continue to cause trouble, it won’t be long before the fight for the title becomes fierce with Sevilla and Barcelona, and they could even force them to make a poor start next season.
Stagnant youth development is a sign of worry
Many players need to be trusted more by Ancelotti, but that is far from the case. This disadvantage might be viewed as collateral damage or as a result of all of the preceding reasons.
It is not a new thing that Real Madrid’s La Fabrica academy is one of the best in the world, producing countless players who now play on the biggest platforms. Some of these players, such as Dani Carvajal and Iker Casillas, have also made it at Real as proud indigenous products, but I fear they may be the last to do so for a while if Ancelotti remains at the club.
Anti-rotation policy and favouritism for a select few are two perfectly good grounds to deny Castilla players the opportunity to demonstrate their talent and be promoted to the first team. What will become of its impact? Players such as Antonio Blanco, Sergio Arribas (who just scored a hat-trick), Juanmi Latasa (who grabbed a brace in the same game), Miguel Gutiérrez (three assists), and many more will be forced to leave Real Madrid, ending in a complete waste of their hard work and skill.
Does this strike a feeling of déjà vu? It should because such exits would only result in regret, as was the case with Achraf Hakimi, Martin Odegaard, Sergio Reguilón, Marcos Llorente, and others!
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While players like Brahim are already on the edge of leaving, the Castilla players will not hesitate to do the same if Ancelotti stays for another season since he is unwilling to even start the bench, and making a glance at the academy becomes the most impossible thing for him to accomplish.