Carlo Ancelotti’s team is well-positioned to dominate once more in the upcoming season.
What steps can Real Madrid take to enhance their performance? Los Blancos were arguably the top team in Europe for most of the previous season, leading Spain and securing a Champions League victory with ease.
They have taken all the right measures to potentially improve further. With the acquisition of Kylian Mbappe, they’ve finally brought in a major player after years of anticipation. Although a crucial player has retired, Los Blancos still have enough strength to continue their success.
If challenges arise, they have what many consider the best manager in the business to address them. Expect a few growing pains, but this could turn out to be one of the best seasons Madrid has had in a while.
Atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabéu
The mood is fantastic. Real Madrid were the top team in Europe last season, clinching both the Champions League and La Liga titles, and they seem to have strengthened further. The addition of Mbappe is a huge boost for Los Blancos. While there might be some adjustment periods, he remains one of the top three players in the world and will undoubtedly bring a wealth of goals.
Even without him, the team boasts a young and promising core that is bound to improve. Federico Valverde had an understatedly excellent season last year, and Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga continued to develop impressively. If they progress further, Real Madrid could become exceptional.
Carlo Ancelotti is the ideal leader for this team. Having signed a new contract midway through last season, he appears to be the perfect figure to guide the team as they continue to grow. Get ready for another season filled with bold confidence from one of football’s most passionate fanbases.
Transfer Activity
Real Madrid made a significant move by securing Mbappe, and they managed to do so at a great price. Despite delays caused by Paris Saint-Germain’s financial strength, Los Blancos acquired him without any transfer fee, which is a major win. Mbappe is reportedly receiving a decent salary, and the signing bonus is generating quite a buzz (not just from Ancelotti).
However, not everything has gone smoothly. Real Madrid has expressed interest in other players but hasn’t had much success. They competed with many European clubs for Leny Yoro, only for the young defender to choose Manchester United, as Real couldn’t guarantee him the playing time he desired at a top club.
Discussions about acquiring new full-backs have also stalled. A potential move for Trent Alexander-Arnold fell through before gaining any real traction, and the expected arrival of Alphonso Davies is now uncertain, with Real likely needing to wait another year to attract the Canadian to the Bernabéu.
Interest in River Plate’s Franco Mastantuono remains, but Madrid might hesitate to spend heavily on a player who may not have an immediate impact this season.
Despite these setbacks, the acquisition of Mbappe alone makes this summer’s transfer activity a considerable success in terms of incoming players.
On the departure front, Joselu has left the Bernabéu after a memorable one-season stint, Nacho has exited following the end of his contract, and Kroos has retired. Additionally, young center-back Rafa Marin, aged 22, has been sold to Napoli.
Pre-season Performances
Any concerns about this Madrid team—though there are few—are rooted in a notably underwhelming pre-season.
Carlo Ancelotti gave his star players a month off, which led to difficulties for the backup squad. Defeats to Milan and Barcelona were disappointing, while the win over a Chelsea team in poor form doesn’t provide much insight into the squad’s true capabilities.
The reserves struggled to find form during pre-season. Brahim Diaz had an opportunity to make an impression during the American tour but did not stand out. Similarly, Luka Modric, at 38, seemed to show signs of aging.
The most troubling aspect was Endrick’s lackluster performance. Given his €60 million (£50.7m/$65.2m) price tag and the expectations placed on him, the 18-year-old failed to make an impact this summer and did not score following a disappointing Copa America campaign.
Despite these concerns, there is optimism following their Super Cup performance against Atalanta.
Talking Tactics
Can anyone truly question Ancelotti’s tactical prowess? There are several key questions to consider: How will Vinicius and Mbappe fit into the same lineup? What impact will this have on Bellingham’s role? Will Rodrygo get playing time?
Essentially, Ancelotti faces the challenge of having too many forwards and not enough positions for them all. The most exciting formation might be a trio of Vinicius, Mbappe, and Rodrygo, with Bellingham playing as an advanced midfielder.
While this setup could be effective, it might not offer the defensive solidity that Ancelotti typically prioritizes. The experiment against Atalanta was intriguing and successful, but it remains to be seen how it will fare in more critical European matches. In those scenarios, Rodrygo might be sidelined, Bellingham could operate as a No.10 or a false nine, and a more industrious midfield would help maintain balance.
If this approach doesn’t work initially, Ancelotti has the flexibility to adjust and configure a more dependable starting eleven.