Real Madrid were handed a major blow at the end of last season when Karim Benzema decided to leave the club in order to join Al-Ittihad. Despite his injury problems, the Frenchman was the main source of goals in Carlo Ancelotti’s team. According to stats from Transfermarkt, he scored 31 goals and provided 6 assists in 43 appearances in the 2022/23 campaign.
The initial expectation was that Benzema would extend his contract and stay on at Real Madrid for another season. And his exit came almost out of the blue.
Benzema has left behind big boots to fill and till now, Real Madrid have not done enough to replace the Frenchman. Joselu has been brought in on loan and the only other player capable of playing centre-forward in the squad is 18-year-old Uruguayan wonderkid, Alvaro.
Some rumours had been doing the rounds that Ancelotti could change his system and play the duo of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo up top in a 4-4-2 formation, as the club lack a world-class striker and also need to bring Jude Bellingham into the first-team fold. And now, the Italian coach has admitted himself that he is looking to try a new style.
Real Madrid fans will be worried by Ancelotti’s comments
As reported by ESPN, Ancelotti said:
"“This year we might play a different system. The system we have played with has been very successful, but we can try a new style. We’re going to try it on the tour. It’s a good time to do so.”"
Ancelotti’s comments will come as a worry for Real Madrid fans. A change in formation could also mean that the club are not looking to sign another striker this summer and that could prove to be a major mistake.
Just having Joselu and Alvaro as the only two options up top is simply not enough, if the club want to challenge for every major trophy next season. And what if either Vinicius or Rodrygo or potentially both, end up picking injuries?
Somehow, Real Madrid might go into next season with less squad depth than they had in the 2022/23 campaign. If that does happen, one can only hope that Ancelotti gets the best out of this team.