Real Madrid's Champions League thrashing by Arsenal was the latest clear sign that, while they have plenty of stars, Carlo Ancelotti's squad is not deep enough to compete with their most difficult rivals.
Madrid have been unlucky with injuries this season — especially in… pic.twitter.com/ogBKbpevhn
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) April 10, 2025
Real Madrid’s loss to Arsenal has highlighted their lack of depth, with injuries forcing Ancelotti to rely on a limited core of players.
Real Madrid’s Champions League thrashing by Arsenal was the latest clear sign that, while they have plenty of stars, Carlo Ancelotti’s squad is not deep enough to compete with their most difficult rivals.
Madrid have been unlucky with injuries this season — especially in defence. Losing right-back Dani Caravajal and centre-back Eder Militao to long-term knee injuries were both cruel blows, especially as Alaba has yet to return to 100 per cent following his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear suffered in December 2023. But going into the season with just three senior centre-backs — and one specialist right-back — was asking for trouble.
For most of the current season, Ancelotti has really only had nine available players that he trusts in the most difficult games — goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, defender Antonio Rudiger, midfielders Federico Valverde, Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga and forwards Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior.
