We may be just two games into the 2021/22 campaign, but Real Madrid’s shortcomings are already beginning to pop up.
While the club looks to have solved the problems in connection with goal-scoring, the defence seems to be the new challenge for the team.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team has already conceded four games in just the two games they have played, shipping in one against Deportivo Alaves and the others coming against Levante over the weekend.
The pre-season earlier this summer proved goal scoring was going to be a difficult thing for the team after the club scored just one goal in two friendly games, against Rangers and AC Milan.
However, the return of Karim Benzema and the resurgence of Vinicius Junior unto the scene looks to have given a solution to the lack of goals but the defence has proved to be the loophole.
Ancelotti has opted for the same back four in the past two games; Lucas Vazquez, Eder Militao, Nacho Fernandez and David Alaba – the latter’s position has been a concern considering he was brought in more as a central defender than a left-back, but that is a topic for another, maybe.
While the partnership between Militao and Nacho has been quite good on countless occasions, pace and aerial balls have been an area they have struggled and it is some Ancelotti needs to work on if his side are to reduce the number of they concede this season.
Madrid conceded a total of 28 games throughout last season and they will have to work on the defence if they are to better that number and challenge for the league.
Carvajal’s return and the possibility of re-introducing Miguel Gutierrez into the team can be a solution that the Italian can rely on at some point of the season.
