After Real Madrid’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Mallorca, there was no hiding the frustration within the club, especially from manager Carlo Ancelotti.
According to journalist Jose Felix Diaz, as reported by MARCA, Ancelotti was visibly angry following the match.
The performance on the pitch was far from what he expected from his team, and it was evident that this was not the image he wanted Real Madrid to project. He made it clear that such a performance must not be repeated.
This sentiment wasn’t confined to Ancelotti alone. The club’s leadership also expressed their disappointment with the team’s display.
However, despite the dissatisfaction, Real Madrid’s management is staying calm, though this result has certainly brought the squad under closer scrutiny.
Ancelotti observed several problems
In the second half, in particular, Real Madrid lacked the aggression needed to regain possession after losing the ball.
Except for the final moments of the match, when time was running out, Mallorca managed to move the ball around comfortably, exploiting the space between Real Madrid’s defence and midfield.
Ancelotti saw numerous things during the match that he did not like at all. He addressed these concerns both at half-time and again after the match.
The two points dropped were a clear source of frustration, but what bothered Ancelotti even more was the way his team played—a style that is far removed from the disciplined and structured approach he expects.
It was not Ancelotti’s team
The foundation of this new Real Madrid team must be solidarity. It is pointless to have some of the world’s best players if they do not understand that football today requires a balance between attack and defence.
This balance was missing against Mallorca. Ancelotti is acutely aware that a club like Real Madrid cannot afford to create defensive vulnerabilities that allow opponents to counter-attack easily.
Ancelotti reminded his players of the issues during the half-time break. He was particularly puzzled by some of the decisions made on the pitch, and he made sure the players knew that these kinds of mistakes are unacceptable.
It is no secret that Ancelotti doesn’t need to shout to make his point. The players understand that nothing will be handed to them, and if they continue to make such errors, they will struggle.
However, after the Mallorca match, Ancelotti felt it was necessary to remind the squad of these realities. The victory against Atalanta just days earlier meant nothing if the team squandered chances and allowed rivals to gain confidence in the league.