Carlo Ancelotti
November 2025
Ancelotti reflected on how a title-winning Madrid side with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham failed to win silverware, slipping behind Barcelona in La Liga and exiting the Champions League at the quarter-final stage. He pointed to a severe defensive injury crisis that disrupted Madrid’s structure, with Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao suffering ACL issues and Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid) playing hurt. The backline problems forced tactical reshuffles, broke rhythm across the team and eroded the defensive identity that underpinned earlier success.