Real Madrid’s loss – yesterday, Tuesday – in the fourth round of the European Champions League revealed the depth of the defensive crisis that the “Royal” team is suffering from during the current season.
Real Madrid fell at home among its fans in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium with a score of 1-3 after a dull and unconvincing performance, in the same stadium that also witnessed its harsh loss to its traditional rival Barcelona recently, 4-0, in the Spanish League.
Under the headline “Real Madrid without defense”, the Spanish newspaper “Marca” highlighted the team’s defensive suffering after conceding 7 goals in the last two matches (against Barcelona and Milan).
😮⚽️ Milan surprises Real Madrid with a quick goal from Malek Thiao #UEFA_Champions_League pic.twitter.com/fnj2zM5pia
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 5, 2024
The newspaper went on to say that what happened with Real Madrid in the two matches could be considered a “scandal,” given the large number of goals scored in the team’s stronghold and among its fans, and the importance of the two confrontations.
The two defeats left Real Madrid in a very shaky position and brought confusion to the team – according to Marca – which indicated that the team coached by Italian Carlo Ancelotti lost for the third time this season, compared to only two defeats throughout last season.
Since the beginning of the current season, Real Madrid has conceded 18 goals in 16 matches, which are numbers that highlight the extent of the team’s defensive suffering.
Real Madrid’s right-back Lucas Vazquez commented on the loss to Milan and the team’s defensive crises, stressing that “the match was complicated…we are trying to change this situation.”
He added, “We are in a moment where competitors are punishing us a lot, and we must continue to work so that the matter does not happen again.”
Vasquez admitted that the team is suffering in terms of defense, noting that “receiving all this number of goals is a huge and very bad number,” stressing “the team’s need to improve in general and collectively.”
He said, “In the Champions League, you play with the best teams and every match will be like a final for us. Because what we want is to win all the remaining matches in front of us.”
He concluded, “We have to raise our heads because the matter is very long, and there is still a lot ahead of us during the season. We must always fight on the field until the end.”
The loss to Milan left the Spanish team in a bad position in the Champions League, as it currently ranks 17th among 36 teams, with 6 points.
As for the Spanish League, it is 9 points behind leaders Barcelona, noting that “Merengue” has a postponed match.