Real Madrid were defeated 2-1 by Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday night, losing 5-1 on aggregate. The current holders leaving the competition at this stage for the first time since 2004. Real Madrid, who, as normal, were one of the favourites to win the competition, failed to get anywhere near an organised Arsenal side.
With the failed comeback from their first-leg defeat, it now looks certain that manager Carlo Ancelotti will be out of a job this summer.
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Real Madrid Manager Carlo Ancelotti to Leave After Underwhelming Season
What Has Gone Wrong for Ancelotti This Season?
According to Sky Sports, Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid after the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26th. This could be Madrid’s last chance of silverware this season, with Barcelona also favourites to win the La Liga title. With the talent Madrid have, it is unimaginable to their fans that they could be trophyless at the end of the season.
Players such as Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, Antonio Rudiger, and Thibaut Courtois are among the many world-class talents that Madrid have at their disposal. Defensively, Madrid have been vulnerable. Injuries have, however, played a part with three of their four starting defenders on the sidelines. Their replacements have struggled at times against fast breaks and have been caught out in high-pressure situations.
Ancelotti’s tactics have also come under scrutiny this season. His apparent stubbornness and refusal to move away from his plan A has not just cost Madrid points, but chances to get back into the game. They have struggled to break down low blocks, which has led to over-relying on the brilliance of their attackers. Ancelotti has failed to adapt and is now set to suffer the consequences.
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Ancelotti’s Time at Real Madrid
The Italian returned to Madrid in 2021, following a stint between 2013-15. That season, Madrid comfortably won the title with a 13-point gap back to Barcelona. They also went on to win the Champions League after defeating Liverpool 1-0 thanks to a Vinicius Jr strike. Thanks to this, Ancelotti became the first manager to win the Champions League four times, cementing him as one of the greats.
However, they could not reach the same heights the following season. Ancelotti’s men were knocked out by eventual Champions League winners Manchester City and came second to Barcelona in the league.
In the 23/24 campaign, Ancelotti’s Madrid won the league with 95 points and won the Champions League with an incredible campaign. They knocked out the reigning champions, Manchester City, and despite leaving it late in the semi-finals, they defeated Bayern Munich. At Wembley, Ancelotti oversaw Los Blancos win their 15th Champions League trophy in a 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund.
It has not gone the way many expected for Madrid and Ancelotti this season. Despite this, Carlo Ancelotti could still end on a high if he can defeat Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final.
