For most clubs, it’s a good season – but not for Real Madrid
Finishing second in La Liga, reaching the finals of both domestic cup competitions, and making it to the Champions League quarterfinals would be considered a successful campaign for most teams. But not for Real Madrid. At a club where winning is the standard, falling short means changes at the top — and this time, it signaled the end for Carlo Ancelotti.
Despite being the most decorated manager in football history and having enjoyed two highly successful stints at Madrid, Ancelotti’s trophyless season — and failure to make the Champions League semi-finals — brought his time to a close.
Stepping into those enormous shoes is former Real Madrid star Xabi Alonso, who has made a name for himself in the dugout after guiding Bayer Leverkusen to a Bundesliga title in his very first managerial role. When the time came, Alonso had long been the front-runner to take over.
What is Alonso’s greatest challenge at Real?
At first glance, Alonso isn’t walking into a crisis. After all, Madrid won both the league and Champions League just a year ago. They’ve also added Kylian Mbappe to an already stacked squad. But therein lies part of the challenge.
Mbappe isn’t a problem personality-wise — he’s known for his professionalism and work ethic — but fitting him into the team tactically is the real test. As Ancelotti said toward the end of his tenure, Madrid had become “unbalanced” and lacked “collective commitment.”
Injuries had left the defence vulnerable, and the squad was overloaded with attacking talent. Meanwhile, no real replacement was brought in for midfield maestro Toni Kroos, who retired, and Luka Modric is expected to leave after the Club World Cup, taking with him even more experience and composure.
Previously, Madrid thrived with Jude Bellingham playing just behind the front line, supported by Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo. But the arrival of Mbappe forced Bellingham into a deeper role, and the team shifted from a fluid false-nine setup to a more traditional 4-3-3. The chemistry didn’t click as smoothly as hoped.
Despite that, Mbappe had an excellent debut season, topping the La Liga scoring charts and netting 43 goals across all competitions — aided, in part, by an injury to Barcelona rival Robert Lewandowski late in the campaign.
How important is the Club World Cup for Real Madrid?
Before Real’s final El Clasico of the season — and Ancelotti’s final match in charge — the Italian tactfully reminded reporters that Real Madrid, not Barcelona, would be representing Europe at the FIFA Club World Cup.
It was a subtle but clear message during a time of mounting pressure and growing speculation about his future. Real went on to lose that dramatic El Clasico 4-3, effectively ending their title hopes after already crashing out of the Champions League at the hands of Arsenal.
Ancelotti, ever the dignified presence, wasn’t going to bow out quietly after a career filled with glory. The Club World Cup may not carry the same weight as the Champions League, but for a club like Real — and a manager like Ancelotti — every trophy counts.
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