Real Madrid's penalty problem is real and widening. It is so real that it needs to be handled sooner rather later. Widening to the point where any further delay in repairing it may result in Los Blancos losing a vital match or possibly a tournament in the coming days.
Vinicius Jr missed a critical penalty in Real Madrid's previous game against Valencia, which might have given them at least one point and closed the gap on Barcelona in the La Liga table. I wouldn't call the miss unlucky, but rather unplanned. The Brazilian's shot was poor at best, with little accuracy or force. It was designed to be missed as is.
There has subsequently been much discussion regarding who should be Real Madrid's penalty taker, since it is now widely accepted that Vinicius is certainly not the Merengues' first choice penalty taker. The club appears to have a strategy, but it causes more fear than confidence.
Real Madrid still seem undecided on the penalty problem
According to Marca, Carlo Ancelotti's management has established a hierarchy of possible penalty takers. Per to the outlet, following Vinicius' mistake, Kylian Mbappe will be the next shot taker, but the coaching staff is still unsure. They continue to have problems and think that no one on the team can clearly specialize in the work. In retaliation, they have decided that if the Frenchman fails, Jude Bellingham would be next.
This hierarchy seems unconvincing. The coaching staff plainly lacks faith in a single player. When there should only be one player assigned to the duty and who should practice in it every training session, Madrid have found another.
Jude Bellingham has also missed a penalty this season, and his status in the hierarchy does not appear to be beneficial. It's unclear what point of conflict prevents the coaching staff from delegating the role entirely to Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman is explosive from the spot, and despite his misses this season, he has demonstrated the proper technique and precision required of a first-choice penalty taker.
Setting such a hierarchy just adds to the uncertainty and lack of trust in one. Not to mention the deferral of resources and coaching will.