Real Madrid may be celebrating another La Liga title, but not everything has been smooth sailing this season.

The usually resolute defence of Los Blancos has looked anything but sturdy, prompting questions about what’s gone wrong at the back.

Speaking after Real Madrid’s latest outing against Mallorca, manager Carlo Ancelotti offered a clear explanation for the club’s defensive issues.
“We have conceded many goals mainly because we have been missing 4-5 defenders throughout the season,” Ancelotti admitted.
And he’s not wrong. Injuries have wreaked havoc on the squad all season long. From Eder Militão’s long-term absence to frequent knocks for David Alaba, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, and Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid’s backline has rarely featured its first-choice players together.

As a result, the team’s defensive performances have suffered. So far this season, Los Blancos have conceded 38 goals in La Liga, a tally that is worse than any other team in the top four. For a club of Real Madrid’s stature, that’s an alarming stat – and one that’s completely at odds with their traditional defensive discipline.

Fans and critics alike have noticed the change. Real Madrid have been leaking goals like a high school team since the season began, and while the attack has bailed them out on numerous occasions, the defensive frailty has remained a major concern.

However, context is everything in football. Ancelotti’s side has had to rotate heavily and even deploy midfielders like Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga in defence at times. In light of that, it’s a testament to the squad’s depth and mentality that they’ve managed to stay competitive on all fronts.
As Ancelotti pointed out, “it’s hard to think of any team in Europe that can succeed with so many injuries hitting their best players.” And yet, Real Madrid have managed to compete.