Is Carlo Ancelotti’s job at Real Madrid under threat after AC Milan defeat?

Real Madrid are far from the team that won La Liga and the Champions League last season, and the questions surrounding Carlo Ancelotti’s place at the helm are growing louder.

A packed Santiago Bernabéu spent more time booing Real Madrid than cheering during Los Blancos’ 3-1 defeat by AC Milan on 5 November. The defending European champions once again failed to score from open play and conceded several unforgivable goals.

The poor performance in the Champions League came after 10 days rest, yet the team looked like the same tired, goalless team that let Barcelona fire four goals past Andriy Lunin on October 26. In just two games, Real Madrid conceded seven goals and scored just one (from the spot) at home.

It was no surprise that cameras caught fans leaving the stadium before Tuesday’s game ended, nor was it a surprise to see the players venting their frustration after coming off the pitch. After all, the defeat marks Real Madrid’s third loss across all competitions this season, already surpassing last season’s total defeats (2).

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The defeats come down to a myriad of problems plaguing Los Blancos; Kylian Mbappé is stuck playing as a No.9, Lucas Vázquez continues to disappoint on the right flank, Jude Bellingham is still yet to score and the midfield has yet to make up for the loss of Toni Kroos.

Yet the player-specific struggles are only half of a much bigger problem unfolding at the biggest club in the world. There is fleeting creativity and dynamism in the attack. There is no rush with or without the ball. There is little effort to get back into defense after losing possession. There is no structure or physicality in a backline already weakened by Dani Carvajal’s season-ending knee injury.

Such glaring problems fall on the head coach, and even someone as respected and loved as Ancelotti is not safe. The Italian manager spoke to the media after Real Madrid’s defeat to AC Milan and admitted“We don’t defend well. We need to be more compact. We lack solidity.”

Despite his criticism, he too added“We are convinced that we will improve and fight for all the titles.”

Except titles seem out of reach if the team continues to play at its current level. Real Madrid are already nine points behind Barcelona (with a game in hand) in La Liga and are 17th in the Champions League standings.

Everything about the squad’s execution on the pitch is below the club’s standards, and the longer Los Blancos fail to live up to expectations, the more pressure Ancelotti is under.

The 65-year-old is officially on the hot seat, but right now it looks like the club is backing him and the current squad. Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno said“We have to admit that we are not in a great moment. It is now that we have to be with the players. We have to keep calm when the situation is not ideal.”

Ancelotti’s previous success with the club probably gives him more job security than, say, Rafael Benítez or Julen Lopetegui got during their short tenure at Real Madrid. If there isn’t a major change in the team’s tactics or performances soon, however, there could very well be a real possibility that Ancelotti’s second stint with the Spanish giants will end sooner than expected.

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