Real Madrid started the Super Cup final strong, taking an early lead, but they ended up conceding five goals and suffered another crushing defeat to Barcelona.
This season, Real Madrid have repeatedly fallen apart in key games, and those performances should have been enough to warn Carlo Ancelotti before the final. Yet, the Italian manager hasn’t addressed the team’s clear struggles against top sides.
Real Madrid Last season
Real Madrid dominated El Clásico last campaign. It was not just because Barcelona had a different manager, but because of how balanced Madrid were in every department.
Toni Kroos anchored the midfield with his control and ability to deliver precise passes against tough opponents.
Vinícius Júnior thrived in a clearly defined role, Jude Bellingham was always eager to get into the box and create chances, and Joselu provided a powerful presence up front when needed. It was a team where every player complemented the others.
After winning the Champions League again, Real Madrid brought in Kylian Mbappé, but they failed to find a solid replacement for Toni Kroos. Luka Modrić, now 39, is still available off the bench, but he’s no longer able to influence games the way he used to.
This season, Real Madrid’s biggest issue has been their lack of balance, especially in midfield. Federico Valverde often looks overworked, and the team lacks a proper structure to support a flashy attack featuring Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, and Rodrygo. Injuries have made things worse, particularly in defense, but there’s still time to fix these problems.
The January transfer window offers a chance to bring in reinforcements. A dynamic midfielder— A true passer, someone who can retain possession and distribute the ball in the mold of Toni Kroos—would make a big difference.
Real Madrid also need a reliable center-back to address the recurring injuries to Éder Militão and David Alaba.
Adding these two players could help Real Madrid make better use of their attacking stars and bring more stability to their performances in big matches against teams like Liverpool and Barcelona, who have already gotten the better of them this season.
