The last fortnight has not been one to remember for Real Madrid. Losing 4-2 to Real Sociedad in San Sebastian two weeks ago caused Carlo Ancelotti’s side to lose ground behind their archrivals Barcelona, as the Catalans achieved two wins from two games.
In addition, the defeat underlines Madrid’s worrying frailties in defence, as they let slip a two-goal lead as well as being a repeat of their nervy season opener against Cordoba. They were lacklustre at times and put in an unconvincing performance against Los Califas, who showed great determination.
Madrid’s next fixture doesn’t get any easier, as they face Atletico Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu. Los Colchoneros have enjoyed a good record under Coach Diego Simeone and famously won the Copa Del Rey against Madrid in May 2013. It is an important game for the home side and defeat against their rivals would not impress the fans or especially President Florentino Perez.
Perez’s relationship with Ancelotti has been less than cordial at times, mainly due to transfers instead of results on the pitch. It is no secret Perez is a big fan of Colombia striker Radamel Falcao and the forward had been linked to Real Madrid for a while.
So the growing rumours of Falcao to Real Madrid surfacing in the last few days of the transfer window weren’t surprising, as the possibility of a marquee signing to rival Barcelona’s acquisition of Luis Suarez excited fans of Los Merengues.
But the move didn’t happen, as Falcao instead went to Manchester United, while Real Madrid acquired striker Javier Hernandez on loan from United as a backup to first choice Karim Benzema.
Many saw Hernandez’s move to the capital as under-whelming but Perez’s reasons why the club did not go for Falcao seem to point the finger at the Coach. “We reviewed the situation with Ancelotti and decided not to sign the player,” Perez was quoted as saying by AS.
Moreover, the sale of Angel Di Maria showed growing signs of friction between Perez and Ancelotti. Intriguingly, the Coach seemed to criticise Di Maria’s move to United, highlighting money as a reason for his departure, but Ancelotti also knew how important Di Maria had been for the club last season.
Though contract talks had stalled the Italian realised it had been the Argentine’s piercing runs from midfield that helped win Real Madrid the Champions League – finally claiming the milestone of La Decima that Perez so craved.
With not only Di Maria but also Xabi Alonso leaving Madrid, a sizeable hole was left in the club. Though James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos have come in it can take time for a player to find their feet. But Madrid is a club where time is not a luxury. If results do not go their way Ancelotti could find himself under pressure.
Therefore, the game against Atletico Madrid on Saturday is pivotal for Madrid’s season, as well as Ancelotti’s job security, and so is their forthcoming game against Barcelona in a month’s time. The question is will Ancelotti sink or swim?
