Why Real Madrid’s silent hero on the touchline deserves more credit | OneFootball

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has faced a mountain of challenges this season.

Whether it is dealing with the unavailability of key players or going through a jam-packed fixture schedule, Ancelotti has found himself battling adversity at nearly every turn.

Yet, despite these hurdles, he has managed to keep Real Madrid in contention for silverware across all competitions.

Attracting criticism

Amidst this, while Ancelotti duly deserves credit for keeping the team alive in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League, his managerial decisions have also attracted criticism.

According to Mundo Deportivo, some believe that his reluctance to rotate players and over-reliance on certain individuals has contributed to the team’s struggles.

Key talents like Endrick and Guler have barely seen the pitch, while others who aren’t performing well, such as Lucas Vazquez at right-back, continue to feature regularly.

Critics argue that Ancelotti’s persistence with the same line-ups and his unwillingness to make tactical adjustments have held Real Madrid back.

Carlo Ancelotti deserves more credit. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

However, it is equally important to recognise that Ancelotti has shown remarkable composure and professionalism throughout a turbulent season.

His calmness in the face of adversity has been admirable, especially considering the squad limitations he’s had to work with.

A season without reinforcements

One of the biggest challenges Ancelotti has faced this season is the lack of reinforcements. Despite the clear need for squad depth, Real Madrid did not capitalise on the January transfer window to strengthen their ranks.

The responsibility of pushing for titles across multiple competitions has rested entirely on the squad assembled last summer.

It remains unclear whether Ancelotti privately expressed concerns about the lack of new signings, but publicly, he has accepted the club’s decision and continued to work with the resources available.

Despite the criticism aimed at him, the Italian manager has remained focused on the tasks at hand.

Instead of allowing negative commentary to derail the team’s progress, Ancelotti has maintained a steady course.

His calm persona has kept Real Madrid in the hunt for silverware in all three major competitions, which is a testament to his ability to weather the storm.