Carlo Ancelotti: The two fatal mistakes not to make against Arsenal in the second leg

With the looming specter of a 3-0 first-leg defeat hanging heavy in the air, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti faces a monumental task as his team prepares to host Arsenal in the return fixture of their Champions League quarter-final clash at the Santiago Bernabéu. The weight of expectation rests squarely on the shoulders of the experienced Italian tactician, who is acutely aware that a positive result is not merely desired, but an absolute necessity to salvage Real Madrid’s aspirations for the remainder of the season.

The narrative surrounding the club in the days leading up to this crucial encounter has been dominated by discussions and analyses of the first-leg performance, a showing that fell far short of the standards expected of the reigning European champions. Despite a scheduled league match preceding this pivotal Champions League showdown, the primary focus of attention within the Real Madrid camp and amongst their fervent supporters has been firmly fixed on the daunting challenge posed by the Arsenal Gunners.

The resounding 3-0 victory secured by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg has left Real Madrid with a mountain to climb, a deficit that many would deem exceedingly difficult, if not insurmountable, to overcome against a team of Arsenal’s caliber. Adding to the sense of unease amongst the Madrid faithful are concerns surrounding the recent form of key attacking players, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes, whose performances in recent outings have sparked debate and raised questions about their ability to deliver in such a high-stakes encounter.

Despite the seemingly herculean task that lies ahead and the statistical improbability of overturning such a significant deficit against a formidable opponent, the spirit within the Real Madrid camp remains one of unwavering belief. The players, the coaching staff, and the passionate supporters all harbor a flicker of hope that a miraculous comeback on home turf is still within the realm of possibility, fueled by the rich history of Real Madrid and their penchant for defying expectations in the Champions League.

Furthermore, reports have emerged suggesting that the Real Madrid ultras, the vocal and passionate core of the club’s fanbase, are planning an unprecedented welcome for Carlo Ancelotti’s team, both in the lead-up to the match and throughout its duration. This groundswell of fan support underscores the collective desire within the Real Madrid community to rally behind the team and create an electric atmosphere at the Bernabéu, hoping to inspire the players to produce a performance of extraordinary resilience and determination.

While the atmosphere surrounding the match on the fans’ side is reaching fever pitch, Carlo Ancelotti and his coaching staff have been diligently working behind the scenes, meticulously dissecting the first-leg defeat and formulating a revised game plan designed to conquer the challenge posed by Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. Recognizing the shortcomings of their previous approach, significant changes are anticipated, particularly in the midfield department, which was noticeably outmaneuvered in the first encounter.

Indeed, the midfield battle in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium proved to be a decisive factor, with Arsenal’s energetic and well-organized midfield unit gaining a clear upper hand, particularly in the second half of the match. Real Madrid’s central pairing of Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modric found themselves largely occupied with defensive duties, leaving the team’s attacking players with a scarcity of dangerous passes and limited support in the final third.

However, for the crucial second leg at the Bernabéu, Carlo Ancelotti will be buoyed by the return of two influential midfield figures who were unavailable for the first encounter. Dani Ceballos, who has recently returned to full training with the squad after recovering from an injury, and Aurélien Tchouaméni, who was serving a suspension in the first leg, are both poised to inject much-needed quality and dynamism into the Real Madrid midfield.

The return of Ceballos and Tchouaméni offers Ancelotti a significant boost in terms of midfield options, addressing the creative void that was evident in the first leg, particularly with the veteran Modric perhaps lacking the sustained dynamism required to consistently disrupt Arsenal’s youthful and robust midfield. Their presence will undoubtedly provide a welcome relief and offer Ancelotti greater tactical flexibility in constructing his starting lineup.

For the upcoming Wednesday night showdown, Carlo Ancelotti is widely expected to deploy both Dani Ceballos and Aurélien Tchouaméni in his midfield, alongside the ever-present Jude Bellingham. With Camavinga suspended for the return leg due to an accumulation of yellow cards, the only unforeseen circumstance that could potentially prevent Tchouaméni from starting would be an unexpected injury, a scenario that the coaching staff will be desperately hoping to avoid, especially during the preceding league fixture on Saturday.

Regarding the composition of the defense, Carlo Ancelotti appears likely to maintain Federico Valverde in the right-back position. While Valverde’s natural inclination lies in midfield, his athleticism and defensive capabilities have made him a valuable asset in the full-back role. It would likely be considered a significant error to revert Valverde to midfield and entrust the right side of the defense to Lucas Vázquez, who struggled against Arsenal’s attacking threats in the first leg.

Alongside Valverde in the defensive line, Éder Militão and Antonio Rüdiger are expected to form the central defensive partnership. On the left side of the defense, a potential change could see Fran García come into the starting lineup in place of David Alaba, who, despite his experience and quality, has faced criticism for his performances at left-back in recent times, including the first leg against Arsenal. García’s energy and attacking intent could offer a different dimension to Real Madrid’s play on the left flank.

In the attacking third, Carlo Ancelotti faces a potentially difficult decision. While the temptation might be to introduce Brahim Díaz into the starting lineup, given his pace, dribbling ability, and knack for unlocking tight defenses, particularly against a team like Arsenal, it appears that Ancelotti is likely to stick with his established front three of Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappé, and Rodrygo Goes. Despite concerns over their recent form, their individual brilliance and potential to produce moments of magic remain undeniable.

In summary, Carlo Ancelotti is expected to make crucial changes to his starting lineup for the second leg against Arsenal, most notably in midfield with the inclusion of Dani Ceballos and Aurélien Tchouaméni. Veteran Luka Modric and left-back David Alaba are likely to make way as Ancelotti seeks to rectify the mistakes of the first leg and orchestrate a remarkable comeback at the Bernabéu. The “two fatal mistakes” Ancelotti will be desperate to avoid repeating likely revolve around the midfield being overrun and the defensive vulnerabilities that Arsenal ruthlessly exploited in the first encounter.