Amid a tough week, Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Real Madrid, has analyzed the difficult moment his team is going through. Despite recent setbacks, the Italian manager remains confident that a response is possible, starting with the LaLiga match against Alavés before facing Arsenal in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.

Ancelotti refrained from pointing fingers at individual players and instead attributed the team's dip in form to a “general decline” in collective performance. In his words, “This past week we’ve experienced an overall drop, not just in attacking efficiency.” He acknowledged that Real Madrid has conceded too many goals lately, something that has negatively impacted their performance, especially during a time when the forwards haven’t been as sharp as usual.

Defensive struggles and lack of attacking efficiency

In his assessment, Ancelotti highlighted the importance of regaining defensive solidity, noting that in matches where the forwards aren’t scoring as much, the defense becomes crucial. “We’ve conceded too many goals in recent games, and that needs to stop because defensive solidity is very important,” said the Italian coach.

With the second leg against Arsenal looming, Ancelotti hopes his team can regain their rhythm starting with the match against Alavés. “I expect a Real Madrid side capable of rediscovering their form. Everyone is thinking about Wednesday, but that will depend, without a doubt, on tomorrow’s performance,” he stated.

Despite the challenges, Carlo Ancelotti remains focused on LaLiga, reminding everyone that there are still points up for grabs and that beating Alavés is crucial. He also showed respect for their opponent, who are fighting to avoid relegation. “We’re up against a team that competes well, that’s fighting for survival, and it won’t be easy, but the team knows what’s at stake,” he added.

Running stats and looking ahead to a comeback

One of the most talked-about topics in recent days has been the running distance stats between Real Madrid and Arsenal in the first leg. Ancelotti didn’t shy away from addressing it, though he pointed out that while the stat is meaningful, it’s not the only factor. “We ran less than the opponent and that hurt us. We could’ve done much more, but it’s not just that,” he explained, recalling that in previous Champions League editions, his team also ran less and still managed to lift the trophy.}

Regarding the comeback against Arsenal, Ancelotti was cautious but assured that his team has what it takes to try and turn the tie around. “Madrid is the only team that has done it many times before, and we’ll try again,” he said. He emphasized that his players will fight until the end, with the support of the fans, to overcome the 3-0 deficit.

With one eye on the comeback and the other on the LaLiga title race, Real Madrid now has the opportunity to regain confidence in the upcoming matches. Without a doubt, Carlo Ancelotti’s words reflect the team’s determination to overcome adversity and get back to winning ways.