Zinedine Zidane’s team was very good in the defensive line. As for Carlo, he can’t manage the defense at the start of the season.
First-choice players in the full-backs
Real Madrid’s first-choice full-backs – Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy – haven’t started a game together since Valentine’s Day, and reuniting them on the pitch is starting to become mission impossible for Carlo Ancelotti. Even on that day, February 14, against Valencia, the dream only lasted 28 minutes before Carvajal went off injured. A week ago it looked like the chance might finally come around again, but on Sunday, September 12, it was Mendy who was a late drop-out from the squad.
This week, Carvajal has also succumbed to injury again, leaving Ancelotti, just like Zinedine Zidane, without his starting full-backs for at least several weeks. The issue isn’t just about them being injured, but the time it will take them to find their rhythm again afterwards. Mendy hasn’t played since May and when he is available again will need time to get up to speed.
A lot of responsibility for Plan B
With the first-choice pair of full-backs out so often and again right now, the burden of expectation upon their replacements is increased. With Marcelo also injured, that means a big chance and a big responsibility for youngster Miguel Gutierrez. On the right, Lucas Vazquez is happy to fill in but he’s not a natural defender, meanwhile Alvaro Odriozola was allowed to leave on loan. These options are all very much Plan B for Ancelotti, but the worry is that they have become Plan A. Real Madrid is trying to build the defensive line from scratch. Keep in mind that Ramos & Varane left the team. Main defenders left the club and now it’s impossible to feel the problems in the central area. Carlo will do his best to create new defensive line easily.