My worst fears have been confirmed. On seeing that Real's pressing is a shambles and that anyone who ventures within spitting distance of Diego López's box is richly rewarded, the Italian inside Ancelotti has re-emerged and started lining up defensive players like there's no tomorrow. To make matters worse, he seems to have missed the real problem, which lies in midfield, not at the back.
Fielding not one, not two, but three players in the Real Madrid XI who are better without the ball than with it is a gift to the opposition. Playing Coentrao and Arbeloa instead of Marcelo and Carvajal in your first big 'La Liga' game of the season is one thing and can be explained away as part of a plan, albeit one that doesn't seem to be working. But sticking in Khedira to make things happen in the centre of the park is the definition of a non-starter. And then adding insult to injury with the understatement of the year - "we're not playing great football" - in a press conference, well that just takes the biscuit. Hands up who was surprised when the Italian complained about the side being too "slow" to get moves going after the derby?
Asking Khedira to bring the ball out for Real is putting him on a hiding to nothing. The German doesn't possess any great vision, game awareness or spark, meaning he invariably ends up passing the buck – and responsibility for launching attacks – to someone else five metres away. These extra seconds and touches are just what the opposition needs to get into position.
In other words, Carlo, no more Khedira-naccio. It's simple: play your best players and make them defend too.
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