Real Madrid’s manager Carlo Ancelotti is struggling to find a reliable defensive line. In fact, Los Blancos have conceded seven goals in their last three La Liga clashes. That makes a total of 16 goals shipped so far in the first 12 games of the league, a number that they didn’t reach until the 17th date last season.
Sergio Ramos physical problems after having a busy summer with Spanish national team and Raphael Varane’s injury could be argued by many as the main causes. However, Los Merengues worst defensive performances have happened now that both and also Xabi Alonso seem completely recovered.
Ancelotti is actually having more trouble in finding a balance between the centre-backs, the full-backs and the central midfielders. While he seems to have combined all those pieces to perfectly work in attack, he hasn’t been able to harmonize that with decent defensive structure.
Real has found their best offensive game when Marcelo and Carvajal have started together as full-backs. Nevertheless, in that situation Real Madrid is often left with only the two centre-backs in defence, as both the Brazilian and the Spaniard join the attack frequently –and sometimes at the same time.
That shouldn’t be a problem if the holding midfielders covered the spots left by the two offensive defenders. However, in the last match against Rayo Vallecano, when Xabi Alonso was the only defensive midfielder, that was simply not possible.
The right-back: Arbeloa, Carvajal or Ramos?
Against Sevilla, the main problem was the lack of concentration. Alvaro Arbeloa was at fault for two of the Andalusians’ three goals, making it obvious that Carvajal is in better shape at the moment to occupy the right back position.
In the recent Champions League match in Turin, Real gave away another two goals, with Ramos playing at right-back and Pepe and Varane in the centre. The Spaniard, who had already played in that position for many years, seemed uncomfortable this time, and made several mistakes, especially in the first half.
If we agree that Carvajal and Marcelo are the best two options for the full-back spots, maybe a pair in midfield formed by Xabi Alonso and Asier Illarramendi would bring the desired balance. However, the question then would be how to fit Modric, Isco and Di Maria, since there would be only one place left in the line-up.
With so many high-quality players in the squad, have no doubt that Ancelotti will find the perfect harmony between defence and attack pretty soon.
