**The Italian Coach Is Contemplating Dropping One of the Team’s Key Players and Placing Him on the Bench, But He Hesitates to Make the Tough Choice**
Published 2 days ago on February 4, 2025 by ENOCH
Real Madrid is entering a pivotal phase of the season, with demanding challenges ahead in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League. Every tactical decision made by Carlo Ancelotti will come under intense scrutiny as the team faces elite opposition. However, the Italian manager is dealing with a significant dilemma—his preferred attacking setup is not providing the necessary balance, yet he hesitates to bench any of his star players.
Ancelotti has heavily relied on the 4-3-3 formation, with Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham forming the core of his offensive structure. While this system enables all of Madrid’s major stars to play together, it has led to considerable issues in midfield control. The team often struggles to retain possession, which weakens their defensive framework and leaves them vulnerable against top-level teams.
According to reports from Spanish newspaper Defensa Central, Ancelotti is contemplating a tactical switch to the 4-4-2 formation. This change would provide better defensive solidity, allowing the midfield to gain more control. However, this alteration would come with a significant downside—one of Madrid’s attacking stars would need to be dropped to the bench.
Ancelotti’s biggest challenge is determining who to exclude. Rodrygo’s recent performances have been outstanding, making him a tough player to leave out. Meanwhile, Vinícius, Mbappé, and Bellingham are all considered indispensable by the Italian coach, creating a tactical dilemma that he has yet to resolve.
As the season moves forward, Madrid’s defensive frailties have become more evident. The backline has struggled in several matches, particularly against teams that press intensely. The defensive lapses have been especially glaring against high-quality opponents, and with upcoming matches against Atlético Madrid and Manchester City, these issues need immediate attention.
One potential solution is to deploy Federico Valverde as a makeshift right-back in key games. Valverde’s speed, physicality, and defensive awareness could offer extra protection in wide areas, helping Madrid handle the fast wingers of their toughest rivals. However, this shift would mean sacrificing his influence in midfield, where his box-to-box energy is invaluable.
Ancelotti has yet to make a final decision regarding his tactical approach moving forward. The early months of 2025 saw Rodrygo hitting peak form, prompting the coach to reassess his strategies. Initially, a switch to a 4-4-2 formation seemed the most logical option, but Rodrygo’s brilliance has complicated matters, making it nearly impossible to exclude him from the starting lineup.
Dropping Rodrygo for the sake of balance would be a controversial decision, especially given his ability to score vital goals and create opportunities. His chemistry with Vinícius and Mbappé has improved significantly, making the attacking trio a deadly force when provided with space.
As a result, Ancelotti appears to be leaning toward keeping the 4-3-3 formation intact, despite its defensive shortcomings. The challenge, however, will be ensuring that Vinícius and Mbappé contribute more defensively, particularly in high-pressure games where Madrid cannot afford to be outplayed in midfield. Convincing these two stars to track back and provide defensive help will be a tough task.
Throughout Real Madrid’s history, collective commitment has been one of the club’s key characteristics. The current squad must adopt this mentality if they aim to compete for every trophy this season. Individual brilliance alone will not suffice; teamwork and tactical discipline will be crucial to overcoming the challenges ahead.
If all of Madrid’s attacking stars are willing to adapt and contribute defensively, Ancelotti can maintain his attacking approach while still achieving some level of balance. However, if the team continues to struggle with defensive vulnerabilities, he may be forced to make a bold decision and sacrifice one of his attacking stars.
The next few weeks will be a defining period for Madrid’s season. With their league campaign still wide open, a Copa del Rey title within reach, and the Champions League knockout rounds approaching, every tactical choice will carry enormous significance. Ancelotti must find the right balance between attack and defense to ensure his team remains competitive on all fronts.
There is no doubt that Madrid possesses the individual talent to win multiple trophies. However, raw talent must be complemented by tactical discipline. If Madrid’s stars fail to adapt, they risk being outperformed by better-balanced teams, especially in the later stages of the Champions League.
Ultimately, Ancelotti’s final decision will determine Madrid’s fate this season. Will he stick with an attacking style that could leave the team exposed, or will he make the tough decision to bench one of his stars for the sake of balance? The answer will unfold in the coming weeks as Madrid faces its most difficult challenges yet.
