Ancelotti Under Scrutiny as Real Madrid Prepares for Alaves Clash

Carlo Ancelotti and his struggling Real Madrid squad are facing intense scrutiny ahead of their Sunday match against Alaves, as they seek to overcome a recent slump and maintain their pursuit of the La Liga title.

Currently, Los Blancos trail leaders Barcelona by four points, with Barcelona set to face Leganes on Saturday. Madrid is eager to recover from a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League earlier this week.

In their upcoming match, Madrid will host Arsenal for the second leg of their tie, where they remain optimistic about a comeback. However, focusing too heavily on that match could risk their performance in Vitoria against Alaves.

Sitting at 17th place, Alaves is battling to avoid relegation and will be eager to exploit any vulnerabilities in Ancelotti’s fragile team, despite Madrid’s prestigious reputation as both Spanish and European champions.

The team has conceded 11 goals in their last four matches, suffering two consecutive defeats—first against Arsenal and then against Valencia in La Liga.

Following the heavy loss at Emirates Stadium, Ancelotti took responsibility for the team’s performance.

Reports in the Spanish media suggest that Madrid may not retain Ancelotti beyond this season, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso, a former Madrid player, being mentioned as a potential replacement.

After suffering just two defeats across all competitions last season, Madrid has already experienced 11 losses this season.

According to Madrid daily Marca, “Ancelotti is playing… for the credibility of his project, and possibly his position for the next season.”

In preparation for the Alaves match, Ancelotti may emphasize the need for teamwork, criticizing his squad for their individualistic approach during the recent match against Arsenal.

“We failed to respond collectively,” Ancelotti reflected. “We attempted too many individual plays, which led to a loss of structure, allowing them to control the game and the scoreline.”

The coach acknowledged that the team has struggled this season to defend cohesively. “It’s been a recurring issue, maintaining a compact formation during both good and challenging moments,” he noted.

There is optimism surrounding the potential return of Dani Ceballos to the squad for the Alaves game, as the midfielder has been sidelined since February due to a leg injury. His absence has compounded Madrid’s difficulties in adapting after the departure of midfield maestro Toni Kroos last summer.

The expected return of Aurelien Tchouameni, who missed the first leg against Arsenal due to suspension, should also provide additional defensive support.

Madrid’s objective is to secure a victory to bolster their title defense aspirations before they attempt to salvage their Champions League campaign against Arsenal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Player to Watch: Christantus Uche
The Nigerian midfielder has been excelling in an attacking role for Getafe this season, contributing two assists in a recent match to help his team secure a commanding victory over Valladolid. A dominant presence, Uche has played a crucial role in lifting Getafe to 11th place, and he will aim to create problems for Las Palmas in their upcoming match.

Key Stats:

3: Consecutive matches without a win for Real Madrid across all competitions.
14: Draws for Osasuna this season out of 30 league games.
232: Barcelona’s Pedri has made 232 passes into the final third, leading all players.

Fixtures:
Friday (all times GMT)