(Football news) Carlo Ancelotti’s tactics against Barcelona were well and truly bizarre to say the least. Ever since his return to Madrid Ancelotti has relied on individual brilliance to win games which isn’t a bad thing. However the problem now is that there are individuals who are not performing up to standard but Carlo Ancelotti is still hoping that they can work their magic.

Karim Benzema didn’t look good at all but he was still kept on the field for 90 minutes. It is one thing persisting with him when he is out of form because he is a Ballon d’or winner but playing him when he isn’t fully fit on top of his bad form is a recipe for disaster.

Starting Modric and Kroos in the same team just doesn’t work anymore especially against teams that play fast flowing football. Even last season Real Madrid needed substitutes to change the games for them. Now it is high time that Real Madrid play only one of the two or even none in big high intensity games.

Real Madrid’s best performance of the season came against Liverpool at Anfield where they started a midfield of Modric, Eduardo Camavinga and Fede Valverde. Rodrygo also needs to start up front more often than not and Valverde needs to play in his preferred midfield position.

Dani Carvajal needs to have some competition which is why it may be time for Carlo Ancelotti to start calling up Castilla right back Vinicius Tobias. Real Madrid’s lack of transfer activity in January is also a reason for their struggles but Carlo Ancelotti has to take some of the blame.

The fact that Barcelona were able to win this game despite not being at their best is a big problem for Madrid. The league title is gone but they still have the Copa Del Rey and the UCL to fight for. Barcelona will once again stand in their way for the Copa Del Rey as Real Madrid are 1-0 down and have to play the 2nd leg at the Camp Nou.

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