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Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that the team lacks balance when they play with their star-studded four-man attack of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo Goes.
In the absence of Kylian Mbappe in their 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, Real Madrid were defensively solid while playing with an extra midfielder.
Real Madrid have struggled defensively this season with their attacking minded set up, which has seen them concede too many goals.
Ancelotti admitted that they have struggled for balance most times this season.
He said: “I think the problems we have had this season have been quite evident.
“We have changed the way we play a bit because we have players with different characteristics.
“We’ve found it difficult to find this balance, and I hope we can find it in the run-in, because we’ve got a lot on the line… in the games that are left, if we don’t have it, it will be hard to win.”
Ancelotti also revealed that Kylian Mbappe, and Ferland Mendy won’t be available for the clash against Getafe on Wednesday.
He said: “For Wednesday’s game they will not be ready, but they will train on these days, and I think they will be available for the game on Saturday.
“Mbappe is hurting because of his injury, because he cannot help the team – he’s doing everything he can to be ready for Saturday.
The former Bayern Munich manager was asked if winning the La Liga, and the Copa del Rey will keep him at the club next season.
He responded: “In football anything is possible. Are you surprised by anything that happens? Nothing surprises me… As I’ve always said, I love this job, I loved my first spell [from 2013 to 2015], I love this second spell [since 2021], and I want this to go as far as possible. One day when it ends, I’ll be thankful and take my hat off to this club, that’s all.”
Ancelotti also admitted that the season has presented more problems for the team compared to last season.
He said: “Yes, it has been a more difficult year. But the club knows this. We are handling it as a team. I’m still very happy here, and even under pressure, I feel energised. Stress motivates me to keep pushing forward.
“To win the Copa del Rey and La Liga, we need to beat Barcelona. That is where our focus lies. We are confident, but we know we need to change a few things to make that happen—and we will.
“They might seem stronger at the moment, but finals are unpredictable. Labeling Madrid as the victim feels like an exaggeration to me,” he concluded.
Real Madrid and Barcelona will lock horns in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday.
