David Alaba’s Struggles Highlight Real Madrid’s Defensive Concerns

After a day has passed since Real Madrid’s 3-1 defeat to crosstown rivals Atletico at the Metropolitano Stadium, fans and pundits have had the chance to reflect on the performance. It’s evident that there were no standout performers on the day, and criticism has been directed towards both Carlo Ancelotti’s team selection and tactics. However, one player, in particular, has faced heavy scrutiny: David Alaba.

The veteran center-back was criticized for losing track of Alvaro Morata, who scored both of Atletico’s goals. Alaba’s performance against Atletico Madrid has been scrutinized, and many fans have called for him to be dropped from the starting lineup. Yet, with Eder Militao sidelined due to injury, Ancelotti appears to have limited options at center-back, primarily relying on Nacho.

Alaba even acknowledged his subpar performance on Twitter, stating, “Madridistas we all expect more! This was not our game, this was not my game! We let you down yesterday, but we will fight back and we will come back to what Real Madrid is!”

While Alaba’s display was underwhelming, it’s important to note that the entire Real Madrid defense struggled against Atletico. The team’s defensive vulnerabilities have been a concern for some time, and without the presence of Aurelien Tchouameni in front of them, Diego Simeone’s side took full advantage.

Carlo Ancelotti faces the challenge of finding solutions quickly, especially considering that the team had not been delivering outstanding performances despite winning all six of their games before facing Atletico Madrid. When up against formidable opponents, Real Madrid has often struggled, a trend that has persisted since the second half of the previous season.

One potential solution to address defensive issues could involve moving Alaba to the left-back position. Fran Garcia’s performance against Atletico was also lackluster, raising doubts about his readiness to be a regular starter for Real Madrid at this stage.