Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: 5 burning questions after an unacceptable loss

What on earth was this tactical setup?

If you went to Google during the match to look up the formation for the match, you would have noticed that even they had no idea what Carlo Ancelotti was trying to achieve here. The Real Madrid formation was listed as a 4-2-4-0 at one point, which, you know, does not exist. Zero attacking players? That’s basically what it felt like watching this team, though.

Vinicius Jr. was the only real attacking outlet, and he was isolated on the left side of the pitch. Luka Modric was miscast as a false nine, confusing the entire team. Modric would often have to drop deep to help defensively and try to provide some sort of ball circulation and progression, which would leave the middle of the attack vacated. And Vini further isolated.

The right side was an even bigger disaster. Dani Carvajal did nothing, and Rodrygo Goes was hopeless in this role. Really, only Fede Valverde provided any sort of attacking verve with his usual energetic runs, creating three or four chances all on the strength of his own running and effort.

Defensively, Real Madrid were so disorganized that I could hardly believe a professional manager devised this gameplan. If Carlo Ancelotti did any pre-match preparation at all…because the reality is that he was shown levels by Xavi, who had Barcelona in shape and tactically superior to their Madrid counterparts.

Real were cycling through players defensively with no shape, no plan, and an exposed Thibaut Courtois left to stand tall against clear-cut chance after clear-cut chance. You could see the normally assured center backs flustered, especially Eder Militao. They were left hung out to dry by a manager who decided to produce an amateur performance on the biggest stage in club football.