What is the relationship of Kroos, Mbappe, Bellingham and Vinicius to the collapse of Real Madrid? | sports

Only 6 months after winning the Champions League title, Spanish Real Madrid collapsed after its weaknesses became apparent and suffered a second successive loss to Italian Milan.

It has been 15 years since Real Madrid suffered two consecutive losses at its home stadium, the Santiago Bernabeu, with conceding 3 goals or more. Then, in 2009, he suffered a crushing loss to Barcelona, ​​led by Pep Guardiola and Argentine Lionel Messi (2-6), then a second defeat to Mallorca, 1-3.

The Spanish team is experiencing a similar scenario, after losing “El Clásico” to its rival Barcelona 0-4 in the league, then falling again to Milan 1-3 in the Champions League.

Problems appeared in balance, creativity, efficiency and defense on both sides of the pitch, which plunged the capital club into a state of gloom.

Italian Carlo Ancelotti, the team’s coach, who was praised for his exceptional management last season, seems unable to find solutions to put his team back on the right track.

“The players have to take a step forward, and I have to do that with them,” the coach said after the loss to Milan.

He added, “I cannot say that the players are lazy, but we are not able to work together efficiently… We cannot continue at this level of defense.”

Underestimating the importance of crossover

Real have conceded 9 goals in their last 3 matches, all at home, reflecting Ancelotti’s concerns.

With captain Dani Carvajal injured, Lucas Vazquez filled in at right-back, weakening the defence. Brazilian Eder Militao does not appear to be in full fitness, French left-back Ferland Mendy is not at his level, and his compatriot, centre-back Aurélien Chouamini, is also suffering from a decline in form.

It seems that retired German Toni Kroos has left a void in the balance of the midfield. The former Die Mannschaft player knew how to set the pace of play and connect the team in a way that Uruguayan Federico Valverde failed to do.

Former Real player and coach, Jorge Valdano, considered that “Kroos’ importance has been underestimated. There is not much balance in the team. Kroos’s presence was a cure, because he gave the team the patience they needed, and his mental speed when the game had to be accelerated.”

Bellingham, Mbappe and Vinicius center crisis

In terms of positions as well, Ancelotti has not yet found a place for Englishman Jude Bellingham, and Frenchman Kylian Mbappe plays in the center of attack, while he prefers the left wing, which is the position in which Brazilian Vinicius excels.

Neither player contributes significantly to pressing the opposition, which contributes to the start of Madrid’s defensive problems.

“A farce” and a “disaster”… the Spanish press warns

“0-4…and now this. Real Madrid is repeating the same mistakes it made in El Clásico in a mediocre match.” This was the headline of the newspaper “Marca”, which referred to “defensive errors” that punish Real Madrid “even in its favorite tournament.”

In turn, the AS newspaper headlined: “The nightmare continues!” With a picture of Mbappe with his head down, after he failed again to score despite the opportunities he had.

This is the third match in a row in which the French national team captain was unable to score or assist, contenting himself with one goal in the last five matches.

Real Madrid is currently 9 points behind Barcelona, ​​the leaders in the league (with a match in hand for the capital team). His career in the Champions League may become complicated after losing two matches, which will make it difficult for him to win the sixteenth title, which is the goal that was announced after signing Mbappe.

The upcoming confrontation against Osasuna before the international break, and Leganés after it, may provide the team some time to recover before facing Liverpool at Anfield in another important European confrontation.