Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly contemplating a significant shift in Real Madrid’s formation as he faces the challenge of incorporating both Kylian Mbappé and Endrick into his lineup. With an abundance of attacking talent at his disposal, the experienced coach is evaluating how to best utilize his squad to maintain balance and maximize the potential of his star forwards.
Real Madrid continues to build on their impressive recent successes, having secured their 36th La Liga title last season, as well as an unprecedented 15th UEFA Champions League triumph after defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley. The club’s attacking prowess has been a key factor in these victories, with the arrival of Jude Bellingham last season enhancing an already formidable offensive lineup that includes Rodrygo, Vinícius Jr., and Eder Militao. This attack has thrived under the leadership of the ageless Luka Modric and the now-retired Toni Kroos, who provided the creativity from midfield.
The summer transfer window brought more firepower to the squad when Mbappé finally joined Real Madrid on a free transfer after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired. The French forward, regarded as one of the best in the world, committed to a five-year deal with the Spanish giants. His start at the Santiago Bernabéu has been impressive, scoring five goals in seven appearances across all competitions. This includes his first Champions League goal for Real, during a 3-1 victory over Stuttgart in their opening group-stage match, where Mbappé scored the opening goal shortly after halftime.
In that same match, young Brazilian forward Endrick also made headlines, scoring with the final kick of the game to become Real Madrid’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the Champions League. Endrick’s decision to take the shot himself, despite having Mbappé and Vinícius in better positions, sparked some discussions, but teammate Jude Bellingham was quick to quash any rumors of a rift within the squad.
Endrick, who joined Real Madrid from Palmeiras in the summer, has been another exciting addition to the team, already making his mark by scoring on his La Liga debut. At just 18 years old, his arrival has added yet another layer to Real’s already potent attacking options. This surplus of talent gives Ancelotti the enviable dilemma of figuring out how to accommodate both Endrick and Mbappé in his starting lineup while maintaining the team’s tactical structure.
Real Madrid’s Wealth of Attackers Forces Ancelotti to Consider Rare Midfield Adjustment
Reports from Spanish media suggest that Ancelotti is considering an uncommon adjustment to his typical setup to make this work. According to Marca, the coach is exploring the possibility of deploying a formation with four midfielders, instead of the traditional three, in an effort to fit both Mbappé and Endrick into the same starting eleven. This tactical tweak could be particularly useful in challenging fixtures or on the road, where more midfield control might be needed to support the attack.
The upcoming Madrid derby against Atlético Madrid is being speculated as one of the games where this experimental formation could be tested. As the intensity of the derby demands a balanced approach, Ancelotti may seize the opportunity to try out this new strategy in a high-stakes match, potentially providing a glimpse of how Real Madrid’s attacking lineup could evolve as the season progresses.
Ancelotti’s decision-making will be crucial in determining how successfully Real Madrid can manage their wealth of attacking resources while maintaining the defensive solidity and midfield control that has been pivotal to their recent successes. By considering this tactical shift, Ancelotti is showing his willingness to adapt to the unique challenges posed by having two world-class forwards who are eager to make their mark on the team.
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