Real Madrid News
Ancelotti could change Real Madrid’s formation next season, considering two options
There is a glaring imbalance in the Real Madrid squad heading into the 2023-24 campaign. After all, most of their departures in the ongoing transfer window have come from the forward department while reinforcements have been centred around the midfield.
As it stands, Los Blancos have just three options to deploy in the final third. Vinicius and Rodrygo remain the two poster boys of the Merengues‘ attack, while newly signed Joselu can act as a more than able central striker.
Meanwhile, the midfield is overcrowded. Aurelien Tchouameni, Toni Kroos, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham, Brahim Diaz, and Dani Ceballos all fight for just three starting spots in Carlo Ancelotti’s 4-3-3 setup, placing the manager in a dilemma over how to utilise all his options.
According to Guillermo Rai, the Italian gaffer sees a change in formation to be his best bet. He is considering two possible tweaks to his formation for the upcoming campaign so as to tailor it to the resources available.
The first option in Ancelotti’s mind is to deploy a 4-4-2 system, thereby adding an extra midfielder at the cost of a forward. Vinicius and Rodrygo would occupy the attacking positions in such a formation.
Bellingham, Tchouameni, Camavinga and either Kroos or Modric completing the midfield, while Guler could also be an option for the right-midfield role.
The alternative approach that appeals to Ancelotti is a 4-2-3-1.
Such a formation would help the manager extract the best out of new signing Guler who functions optimally behind a central striker. While the arrangement of players around him remains unclear, Tchouameni and Kroos would be best placed to play as the double pivot.
The possibility of switching to a 4-3-1-2 setup has also been reported in the media in the recent past.
It is safe to say that the manager has a starkly different squad from the one he had last season. Ancelotti will need a good amount of time to try out permutations and strike gold in terms of team chemistry. Yet, one knows that there will be no going back once the team finds its mojo.
Real Madrid News
Kylian Mbappe unlocks three Champions League achievements after Roma 3-4 Real Madrid thriller
Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th UEFA Champions League appearance with a goal against AS Roma, reaching another major milestone in a competition he has dominated throughout his career.
As such, the Real Madrid forward scored his 72nd Champions League goal on Wednesday, moving past club legend Raul Gonzalez on the competition’s all-time scoring list and into fifth place.
Mbappe surpasses Messi and Raul
Mbappe reached 100 Champions League appearances against Roma and marked the occasion with a goal.
Kylian Mbappé is the youngest-ever player to reach 100 Champions League appearances (27y 298d). Lionel Messi’s record is broken (28y 84d). 💯 https://t.co/QxB7jmGlop
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 14, 2026
At 27 years and 298 days, he became the youngest player to reach that landmark, surpassing Lionel Messi’s previous record of 28 years and 84 days.
As such, Mbappe’s 72 Champions League goals have come across three clubs: six for Monaco, 42 for Paris Saint-Germain and 24 for Real Madrid.
Only Messi and Lewandowski outscored Mbappe
Mbappe’s record becomes even more impressive when measured against other top Champions League forwards during their first 100 appearances.
📊 Only Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi scored more goals in their first 100 Champions League matches than Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman has netted an incredible 𝟕𝟐 goals in his first century of matches. 🔥 https://t.co/77Yg7DdD6L
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) October 15, 2026
Robert Lewandowski scored 81 goals in his first 100 matches, while Messi registered 77. Mbappe’s 72 goals place him behind those two players, but ahead of numerous other legendary attackers.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains the Champions League benchmark
Despite moving into fifth place, Mbappe still has a substantial gap to close before reaching the top of the all-time scoring rankings.
Karim Benzema sits ahead of him with 90 goals, followed by Lewandowski on 109 and Messi on 129. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the standings with 140 Champions League goals.
𝐊𝐘𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐒 𝐑𝐀𝐔𝐋 𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐂𝐋 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋𝐒 😲👏 That is now 72 UCL goals for him, breaking into the top 5 😮💨 𝘼𝙡𝙡-𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙧𝙨: 👇 140 ⚽ Cristiano Ronaldo 129 ⚽ Lionel Messi 107 ⚽ Robert Lewandowski 90 ⚽ Karim Benzema 72 ⚽ Kylian Mbappé 71 ⚽ Raúl Where will he finish on the all-time UCL top scorers list? 👀
— 433 (@433) October 14, 2026
Mbappe’s 72 strikes leave him 18 behind Benzema, meaning the next target in his pursuit of the all-time greats is within reach if he maintains his scoring rate.
Understandably, Ronaldo’s 141 goals remain the benchmark, leaving Mbappe 68 goals short of the record.
The gap is considerable, but the Frenchman has already demonstrated the scoring consistency needed to climb the rankings, and it won’t be a surprise if he breaks his idol’s record.
