Real Madrid won but it felt like a defeat.

Spectacular comebacks, breathtaking victories, miraculous feats – that's the magic that makes Real Madrid a legend, transforming them into one of the most compelling stories in football history. However, after their dramatic 5-4 aggregate victory over Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semi-final on the morning of April 2nd, a big question is being asked.

Can "Los Blancos" continue to write glorious chapters in history, or will current problems hinder their path to conquering the top?

Real Madrid's problem

The match between Real Madrid and Sociedad was a race where, looking at the final result, one might argue that Real Madrid deserved the victory. However, in reality, they struggled to overcome this not-so-strong opponent. It was a rollercoaster ride, where Ancelotti's team repeatedly exposed critical weaknesses, and without a few moments of individual brilliance, Real Madrid might have suffered a defeat.

Real Madrid's biggest problems lie in their defense. Despite dominating possession throughout the match, the Spanish giants left too many gaps and made too many mistakes in defending their goal.

Without Thibaut Courtois – who served as a solid wall protecting Real Madrid's goal throughout the season – Ancelotti's team becomes even more vulnerable.

Disjointed defensive play, indecisiveness from the defenders, and confusion in ball handling left Real Madrid vulnerable to numerous dangerous situations. It's important to remember that their opponent, Sociedad, wasn't a particularly strong team.

Thanks to moments of individual brilliance, Real Madrid defeated Real Sociedad.

One of Real Madrid's biggest weaknesses in this match was their inconsistency and laxness in defense. Defenders like David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga both had forgettable moments.

Camavinga was unable to stop Takefusa Kubo's bursts of speed on the right wing. His inexperience made it difficult for Real Madrid to maintain control of the game.

Not only defensively, the French player also showed weakness in building up play, something Real Madrid desperately needs from their midfielders. Camavinga's weak and indecisive passes prevented the team from launching coherent attacks and made them easily pushed back by opponents.

Meanwhile, Raul Asencio made a serious mistake. In a defensive situation, he rushed out of the penalty area to try and stop Oyarzabal, but ended up leaving Lucas Vázquez unmarked. This error led to a golden opportunity for Sociedad. Fortunately, Real Madrid didn't pay the price.

Despite facing a relatively weak opponent like Sociedad, they did well in controlling the game and putting significant pressure on Real Madrid's defense. Zubimendi, with his excellent ball distribution, repeatedly broke through Real Madrid's defense with intelligent passes. Pablo Marin also made his mark with his dynamism and strong fighting spirit.

Barrene, with his excellent spatial awareness, and Oyarzabal, who delivered an impressive performance, both caused Real Madrid concern. However, they were unable to capitalize on the opportunities created, and that is why "Los Blancos" still managed to overcome their opponents in a tense match.

After two legs, Real Madrid defeated Real Sociedad 5-4 in the Copa del Rey semi-final.

Real Madrid needs to learn a lesson.

However, Real Madrid's victory raises more concerns. Significantly, the weaknesses of "Los Blancos" are not problems that can be solved immediately. Without improvements in their playing style and defense, Ancelotti's team will struggle to maintain consistency in the long run.

Reliance on exceptional individuals like Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, or Kylian Mbappe can help Real Madrid win individual matches. However, without tactical commitment and team stability, they will be unable to compete with other strong teams, especially in long tournaments.

After all, Real Madrid still have excellent players, but if they want to conquer every title in the 2024/25 season, they must thoroughly address their defensive issues and improve team consistency. If Ancelotti cannot find solutions to these problems, "Los Blancos" will only be able to rely on individual talent and luck in each match.

For a club with such a rich tradition as Real Madrid, focusing on addressing weaknesses is more important than ever. Only by doing this can they regain their stability and produce consistent performances for the remainder of the season.

Real Madrid still have time to change, but whether Ancelotti and his players have the determination to do so is the big question.

Source: https://znews.vn/real-madrid-thang-ma-nhu-thua-tran-post1542581.html