Real Madrid Dressing Room Has ‘Lost Confidence’ in One of Carlo Ancelotti’s Key Players After Barcelona Thrashing

Real Madrid’s crushing 5-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final on Sunday has sparked significant unrest within the dressing room, with reports indicating that some of the squad members have lost confidence in one of Carlo Ancelotti’s key players. The loss, which took place at King Abdullah Sports City in Saudi Arabia, was not only embarrassing due to the margin of defeat but also highlighted a series of individual performances that fell well below the high standards expected of the Spanish giants.The match saw Madrid take an early lead when Kylian Mbappé scored just five minutes into the game, giving the team a brief moment of hope. However, Barcelona quickly dismantled Madrid’s defense and went on to dominate the match. By the time the first half ended, the score was 4-1 in favor of Xavi Hernandez’s side, with goals from Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Alejandro Balde putting the Catalan club in control.Raphinha would extend Barcelona’s lead to 5-1 early in the second half, capitalizing on another defensive lapse. Wojciech Szczęsny, who had made a series of questionable decisions throughout the match, was shown a red card just moments after Raphinha’s goal for a foul on Mbappé. Despite a stunning free kick from Rodrygo in the 60th minute to reduce the deficit to 5-2, Madrid could not mount a serious comeback, and the match ended in a humiliating defeat for the European champions.This loss to Barcelona follows another heavy defeat in October when Madrid were hammered 4-0 by their rivals at the Santiago Bernabéu. Such results are not only damaging to the morale of the team but also bring into question the future of certain players within the squad. The atmosphere around the club has become tense, and an inquest into the performance is already underway.One player who has been the subject of intense scrutiny following the Supercopa debacle is French midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni. The 24-year-old, who has been an important part of Ancelotti’s midfield, was deployed in an unfamiliar role as a centre-back alongside Antonio Rudiger for this match. Normally a holding midfielder, Tchouaméni was tasked with filling in for a defensive position, a decision that many believe was a key factor in the team’s struggles at the back.Tchouaméni’s performance on Sunday was widely criticized, with Managing Madrid rating him just 2/10 for his display. The French international struggled to adapt to the center-back role, frequently being caught out of position and unable to provide the necessary defensive cover. His lack of chemistry with Rudiger was evident, and Barcelona’s fluid attacking play exposed Madrid’s defensive vulnerabilities time and again.The turning point for Tchouaméni came in the 62nd minute when he was booked for a foul, which added to his mounting frustration. Just two minutes later, Ancelotti made the decision to substitute him for Luka Modric, a move that highlighted just how ineffective Tchouaméni had been during the match. His poor performance did not go unnoticed by his teammates, with reports indicating that there has been a noticeable shift in the dressing room dynamics.Sources close to the team have revealed that the Madrid dressing room has started to lose confidence in Tchouaméni, and some players are beginning to question his ability to perform at the highest level for the club. While it is not uncommon for players to face criticism following heavy defeats, the situation surrounding Tchouaméni appears to be particularly tense. His inability to contribute effectively in a key match against a direct rival has raised concerns about his future role within the team.Ancelotti’s decision to play Tchouaméni out of position has also been called into question. Many believe that the Frenchman’s struggles were compounded by the tactical choices made by the manager, with Madrid lacking the necessary balance in defense and midfield. While Tchouaméni’s versatility is one of his strengths, being thrown into a makeshift role in a high-stakes match against one of the best teams in Europe may have been too much for him to handle.Despite this setback, Tchouaméni remains a highly rated player, and his performance in this match is unlikely to define his long-term future at the club. However, it is clear that he will need to regain the trust of his teammates and coaching staff if he is to maintain his place in the starting lineup. Ancelotti will now have to decide whether to persist with Tchouaméni in the coming weeks or explore other options in defense and midfield.The loss to Barcelona has also raised broader questions about Real Madrid’s current form and their ability to compete for major trophies. While the team has undoubtedly experienced success in recent seasons, their inconsistent performances in key matches have left supporters and pundits alike concerned about their title credentials. The defeat in the Supercopa highlights the challenges facing Madrid as they look to rebuild and assert their dominance in Spanish and European football once again.As Madrid prepares for the upcoming fixtures, the pressure is mounting on both the players and Ancelotti to respond to this humiliating defeat. The club’s leadership will undoubtedly demand a swift improvement in performance, and players like Tchouaméni will need to prove their worth if they are to avoid being sidelined in the second half of the season.In the coming days, it is expected that Ancelotti will address the concerns surrounding Tchouaméni’s form, and the player will likely undergo further scrutiny as part of the team’s internal review. How the team bounces back from this setback will be crucial in determining whether this defeat was simply an isolated incident or a sign of deeper issues within the squad.The pressure on Tchouaméni to regain his confidence and form is undoubtedly high, but it is equally important that the team as a whole rallies together in the face of adversity. Real Madrid has a history of bouncing back from difficult moments, and this will be a crucial test for both the players and their manager as they look to salvage their season after such a disappointing loss.