Real Madrid’s defeat to FC Barcelona on Sunday night all but ended their hopes of defending the La Liga title.

After a triumphant last season, much better was expected of the team in the current campaign. However, things have not worked out as expected as Real Madrid first lost the Spanish Super Cup to Barcelona, in a match where they were schooled by the Catalans.

Following that defeat in January, Los Blancos have lost two more El Clasico matches versus Barça, with one defeat leaving them on the brink of a Copa del Rey exit and another pretty much knocking them out of the title race in the league.

Indeed, last night’s defeat means that Carlo Ancelotti’s men are now 12 points behind Barcelona in the table, with 12 games left to be played. Judging by how both teams are playing, a reversal of fortunes anytime soon looks unlikely.

And, according to Eurosport (h/t Madrid Xtra), the blame for this season’s shortcomings at Real Madrid will be laid at the feet of manager Ancelotti, despite the failure of the club’s recruitment department this season.

The Italian returned to the club in 2021 for a second spell and led the Merengues to a historic La Liga and UEFA Champions League double, setting the benchmark for the team. And that will be used as the yardstick to point fingers at the veteran manager for this term’s failure.

The fact that the recruitment team at the capital club failed to offer the necessary signings to the manager will be overlooked again, adds the report.

The Real Madrid squad, at this moment, is far from complete. However, the last season’s double helped paper over the cracks which then gave the club an excuse not to go big in the market, as they signed just Aurelien Tchouameni and Antonio Rudiger.

No right-back was brought in despite Dani Carvajal’s fitness woes, while a striker was also not signed even though the lack of cover for Karim Benzema was glaringly visible.

Los Blancos did not learn their lesson during the winter window either and did not sign any players, despite Ancelotti’s alleged request for a new striker.

Ancelotti has not been without faults either. The Italian has appeared too rigid at times with his team selection and tactics while often appearing to back players on their name and reputation over form and suitability of situations.

However, he was not backed by the club in the market suitably and will now shoulder the blame for the season going south. All is not lost, though, as the UEFA Champions League triumph could prove to be a saving grace.