Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has openly expressed his frustration with three of his players after their 1-1 draw to Atlético Madrid. The derby draw left many fans disappointed, and Ancelotti didn’t hold back in highlighting key performances he found subpar.
First on his list was **Ferland Mendy**, whose struggles in possession were a recurring issue throughout the match. Ancelotti criticized Mendy for making a series of loose passes that frequently handed possession back to Atlético in dangerous areas. “We cannot afford to be that careless on the ball, especially in games like these,” Ancelotti said after the match. Mendy’s missteps put unnecessary pressure on the Madrid defense, allowing Atlético to control large parts of the game.
**Rodrygo** was the next to face Ancelotti’s displeasure. The Brazilian winger, who has been a spark for Madrid in previous matches, struggled to make an impact. “Rodrygo never really got going,” Ancelotti admitted. However, one controversial moment had the fans and manager fuming. Rodrygo was brought down in the box for what seemed like a clear penalty, but neither the referee nor VAR opted to review the incident. Ancelotti, along with the fanbase, was left feeling hard done by the decision.
Lastly, **Lucas Vázquez** came under fire for his positioning during one of the goals conceded. Ancelotti was critical of the right-back for playing too deep, which contributed to Madrid’s defensive disorganization. “Positioning is everything in matches like these. We allowed them too much space, and it cost us,” Ancelotti stated, pointing out that Atlético took full advantage of Madrid’s defensive lapses.
Real Madrid fans seem to agree with Ancelotti’s assessment, with many taking to social media to echo the need for these issues to be addressed. The consensus is that while individual errors are part of the game, these recurring problems need to be fixed if Madrid is to compete at the highest level this season.
Ancelotti now faces the challenge of addressing these concerns ahead of Madrid’s upcoming fixtures, as they look to bounce back and stay competitive in La Liga.Carlo Ancelotti’s post-match comments after Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Atlético Madrid revealed his frustration with several key players, highlighting concerns about their performances in the Madrid derby.
**Ferland Mendy** was criticized for repeatedly losing possession, with his errant passes contributing to Atlético’s control of the game. Ancelotti stressed the importance of maintaining composure and precision, especially in high-stakes matches, as Mendy’s mistakes placed undue pressure on the defense.
**Rodrygo**, typically a dynamic force for Madrid, struggled to influence the match. Ancelotti acknowledged Rodrygo’s lack of impact but also expressed frustration over a contentious moment when the winger appeared to be fouled in the box. Despite fan outrage, neither the referee nor VAR reviewed the incident, leaving Madrid feeling aggrieved.
**Lucas Vázquez** came under scrutiny for his poor positioning, which played a part in one of Atlético’s goals. Ancelotti emphasized the importance of proper defensive organization, suggesting that Vázquez’s deep positioning allowed Atlético too much space to exploit.
The manager’s candid critique reflects the disappointment shared by fans, who took to social media to demand improvement. As Real Madrid looks to remain competitive in La Liga, Ancelotti will need to address these recurring issues to keep the team on track.
