Real Madrid's Challenges in the Current Football Season

Financial Position

• Real Madrid is the world's richest football club.
• First club to generate over a billion euros in revenue in a single season (July).
• Third highest wage bill in European football last season (505 million euros), likely increased with the signing of Kylian Mbappé.

Squad Challenges

• Despite high revenue, Real Madrid's squad lacks depth and strength for consistent high-level competition.
• Recent struggles include being 2-0 down in the Champions League quarterfinals against Arsenal within 17 minutes.
• Substitutions like Lucas Vasquez and Fran Gonzalez were ineffective in altering match outcomes.
• Current squad has fewer experienced players compared to past successful seasons.

Transfer Strategy and Injuries

• Recent transfer strategy lacks analysis of squad strengths and weaknesses.
• Some big signings include Jude Bellingham (from Borussia Dortmund) and Kylian Mbappé (from Paris Saint-Germain).
• Injuries have plagued the squad, particularly in defense (e.g., Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and David Alaba).
• Issues with squad depth have forced improvisation and experimental formations.

Tactical Challenges

• Lack of a clear starting 11 or tactical formation.
• Dependence on moments of individual brilliance from star forwards.
• Recent losses against Barcelona, AC Milan, Liverpool, and Arsenal highlight defensive and offensive vulnerabilities.

Leadership and Management

• Carlo Ancelotti's management style involves making the best of available players, despite squad limitations.
• Ancelotti's public acknowledgment of squad limitations and desire for defensive reinforcements.
• Club president Florentino Perez's influence on team decisions, with a focus on financial projects like the Santiago Bernabéu renovation.

Strategic Considerations

• Future financial strength anticipated from the renovated Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
• Construction overruns have delayed financial benefits.
• Ancelotti should potentially be more vocal about squad issues but faces job uncertainty.

Conclusion

• Real Madrid's ongoing struggles appear linked to upper management decisions.
• Strategy focused on large individual signings over holistic squad strengthening.
• Importance of addressing both offensive and defensive weaknesses in future planning.