Real Madrid News
Ex-Real Madrid director slams Ancelotti and players after AC Milan defeat – ‘Gotten out of hands’
Predrag Mijatovic, a former Real Madrid player and director of football did not hold back in his analysis of the team’s performance during their 1-3 defeat to Milan in the Champions League.
Mijatovic expressed deep disappointment with the way things were unfolding for the team, stating that he felt sorry for Real Madrid after their lacklustre performance in the match.
“Tonight, I felt sorry for Real Madrid,” he said as quoted by MARCA.
He argued that the team appeared to be in a state of confusion, struggling with a lack of clear direction, and this was evident in the way they played against Milan.
The former player diagnosed the situation as one where the team seemed to have slipped out of Ancelotti’s control. “Real Madrid are going through a bit of everything. My feeling is that the team has gotten out of Ancelotti’s hands,” he added.
No longer a unit
According to Mijatovic, the team is no longer functioning as a well-oiled machine under Ancelotti. He felt that the manager was struggling to get the best out of his players and was unsure how to respond effectively to the challenges presented by the Milan game.
He went further to criticize some of Ancelotti’s decisions during the match. He felt that the manager’s substitutions were not up to par and left the team in a state of disarray.
“With the changes he made, he practically didn’t know where to start with the team or how the team should react to try to at least come back. Carlo made the changes to improve and they weren’t very good.”
One of Mijatovic’s key points was that after a period of success in recent years, the team seemed to have become complacent.
“After two or three splendid years, with everything they have won, the team relaxes a little. It’s clear,” he said.
So what’s the solution?
When discussing potential solutions, Mijatovic was less than optimistic. He felt that there were very few options available to resolve the issues that were plaguing the team. He questioned whether Ancelotti still had the ability to turn the situation around, both tactically and mentally.
According to him, Ancelotti may not have the power to motivate the players or re-energise the squad, which was a worrying thought for Real Madrid supporters.
“At the moment, there are very few, really. I don’t know if Ancelotti has the ability to react. I don’t know if he has the ability to restart the whole situation and motivate these players,” he noted.
In his analysis of the situation within the dressing room, the former player noted that many players appeared to be unhappy with their current roles in the team.
“I think there are many players who are not happy. They play less than they thought they would.”
He also suggested that Ancelotti was not in a strong enough position to impose his authority on the squad, as it seemed that he was listening to too many different opinions from various players. This lack of clear leadership, according to Mijatovic, was a major problem for the team.
“There is a situation that worries me personally. Ancelotti cannot take them and say ‘you have to do what I say’. He is listening to too many opinions. He does not have the same position as he had in recent years,” he added.
One of the main objectives for Real Madrid this summer was to bring in a new central midfielder capable of controlling the tempo and dictating the play from the middle.
A move for Rodri was in the works before the Spain captain decided to sign for FC Barcelona. The Merengues assessed several other options, but ended up not signing any player, with Jose Mourinho deciding to use Bernardo Silva in the double pivot.
One of the midfielders that Real Madrid were looking at as an option was Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace.
The England international has been on the club’s radar for a while now, but the Premier League club never opened the door for a summer departure.
Wharton could be on the market in 2027
However, now, according to The Guardian (h/t Bernabeu Digital), That stance could change next year, as that Palace would be prepared to consider selling Wharton during the next summer transfer window.
As mentioned already, Real Madrid have closely followed Wharton’s situation throughout the summer, although the club ultimately decided against making any further additions to their midfield.
Manchester City and Chelsea also showed serious interest in signing the England international during the summer. However, Crystal Palace were unwilling to sell, effectively ruling out a move for the midfielder.
But it appears that they could open the doors for Wharton to leave in the summer of 2027, potentially paving the way for Real Madrid to make a move.
Real Madrid continue to monitor Wharton
Real Madrid are expected to keep a close eye on Wharton’s progress ahead of the 2027 market. Should they decide they need another high-quality midfielder, the 22-year-old could once again emerge as a candidate.
Manchester City may be less likely to return for Wharton after strengthening their midfield significantly this summer.
Chelsea, however, could remain a potential competitor after failing to add a player in the position during the latest window.
For now, Wharton will remain at Crystal Palace, but the club’s willingness to consider a sale next summer means the midfielder could become a realistic option for Real Madrid in 2027.
