Real Madrid cruised to a 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Wednesday night, looking at home in their new 4-4-2 diamond system. That was evidenced by the goals scored by Jude Bellingham from midfield, and then the stunning bicycle kick from Joselu Mato.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has consistently been quizzed on whether Los Blancos would be bringing in a new number nine to complement the current squad, the biggest debate in the Spanish capital now.
“The squad is good, we are complete,” Ancelotti told Relevo.
Equally, this is all happening in the context of Kylian Mbappe’s impasse with Paris Saint-Germain over his future. Asked again about Mbappe specifically, he responded simply ‘next question’.
Later Ancelotti was asked about how he handles the fact that Real Madrid’s promising young core are pushing the veterans for their positions. He was clear that a lack of ego is vital.
“Luckily we have a team without ego. This makes it easier to control the dressing room.”
“It would be a problem if I had a team without quality.”
There is no doubt that the culture at Real Madrid, imparted by the likes of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, has been a vital part of their success in recent years.
Some have wondered whether Mbappe, a star who eclipses all in Paris, might face some issues coming into such a different power structure, although this seems unlikely to be a major issue. There will no doubt be some that point out that Mbappe has a(n understandably) large ego, but Cristiano Ronaldo was similarly the centre of attention for his entire career, but had nine successful years in Spain.
“Some have wondered whether Mbappe, a star who eclipses all in Paris, might face some issues coming into such a different power structure, although this seems unlikely to be a major issue.”
PSG created Mbappes ego. He is only having so much power there because they allowed him to and literally bought his loyalty. You cant buy love for money, Mbappe clearly shown that. Their club has no culture nor history, its a team cobbled together with overpaying for players and almost guarantees coaching rotation in a season or two.
When the greatness of walking in RMs trophy hall strikes you, with all CL trophies, Liga trophies etc. being on display – it will have a positive impact on anyone humility. Here, you arent only withdrawing cash from the walking atm machine (called PSG) every month. Here, the history and spirits of greats that walked the halls actually mean something and that being youre a part of something bigger than you.
RM shipped Ramos and CR when they became too influential. That says something. You are never bigger than the club. PSG would only have signed them a bigger check but then again, PSG never tasted the ultimate glory because of precisely that.