The FIFA Club World Cup served as a proving ground for Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid, a period to reset emotions after a taxing season and to gauge the team’s response to the World Cup in Qatar. The Italian coach drew clear conclusions from the tournament, balancing positives with concerns, all of which will shape the approach before key fixtures against Liverpool, Atlético in the derby, and Barcelona in the cup matches around the corner. After Real Madrid clinched the title in Rabat, Ancelotti noted the upcoming heat building in the squad, signaling readiness for the demanding weeks ahead.
Among the positives
– VALVERDE RETURNS TO FORM. The Uruguayan midfielder faced emotional and physical strain from the World Cup, where Uruguay exited in the group stage. A family matter added further pressure, yet Valverde has netted three goals in two games and reached eleven for the season. The coach stressed that Valverde’s return and family recovery hold greater importance than goals for the side.
– CEBALLOS MAKES HIS MARK. The Andalucian player asserted himself as a crucial contributor. While Ancelotti weighs ownership versus a driving role, Ceballos earned meaningful minutes and helped the squad recover from fatigue. It remains to be seen whether he will renew his contract with Real Madrid or explore other opportunities.
– VINICIUS FOCUSED ON PERFORMANCE. The Brazilian forward delivered strong performances as he stepped away from controversy surrounding him in La Liga. He found the back of the net in both matches and continued to build on the chemistry with Benzema, including an assist in the final. Benzema opened the scoring in the late game while Vinicius finished it, underscoring the team’s offensive balance. Ancelotti remarked that the squad demonstrated quality in attack and that Vinicius, Valverde, and Benzema produced sustained action and goals. Vinicius will have two days off to disconnect, as planned by the coach.
Kings of the world, champions of pachanga
After securing the Club World Cup and the European Super Cup, Ancelotti maintained a pragmatic outlook for the season’s finale. The team remains competitive in the Champions League, holding an eighth-final clash with Liverpool, and are set to face Barcelona in the cup semifinals at the Bernabéu. The league title remains a distant target, yet the squad refuses to abandon the pursuit while there is still a mathematical chance. The coach warned that the boiler is warming up as the campaign progresses.
Defensive concerns
– DEFENSE WEAKNESSES TO WATCH. The absence of Courtois, Militao, Mendy, and Carvajal in parts of the tournament exposed vulnerabilities at the back. Lunin performed admirably against Al-Hilal, but the defense showed fragility at times. Alaba’s form and consistency drew scrutiny, and Camavinga’s shift to a more defensive role revealed gaps in discipline. The team’s vulnerability is a priority for improvement as the season nears its critical phase.
– TCHOUAMÉNI’S ADJUSTMENT. The French midfielder arrived with a heavier load and a different mental approach post-World Cup. He faced scrutiny after a trip to Paris to watch an NBA game while teammates faced Cup duties. There were moments of miscommunication in midfield, and some missteps were noted by the coaching staff. Kroos and Modric offered guidance to restore balance, and Ancelotti spoke with Tchouaméni to realign focus. A peak performance from the France international is essential if Real Madrid is to sustain a deep run in Europe and domestic cup competitions. A injuries during the Rabat final did not appear to be serious, but the team will monitor him closely.
– SQUAD DEPTH AT 16. The manager has rotated through Rabat with a pool of sixteen players, detailing the starting eleven and five substitutes while keeping Lunin as a potential option only if the primary keeper is unavailable. Several squad members have struggled to find consistency, and injuries to others have forced creative solutions, such as Camavinga covering left-back and Rodrygo stepping into forward roles. The depth challenge remains a continuous theme as the season unfolds.
– CONTRACT UNCERTAINTY. As weeks pass, the future of several free agents is debated. Benzema, Modric, Kroos, Asensio, Nacho, Ceballos, and Mariano are all in various stages of negotiation and consideration. Benzema and Modric reportedly received lucrative offers from abroad, with Karim likely to stay for another year. Ceballos and Kroos have not yet been officially linked to a move, while Asensio and Nacho are weighing options. The atmosphere around contract talks adds a layer of unpredictability to the squad’s planning, even as the core remains committed on the pitch. These dynamics contribute to a tense but professional environment as the team battles for silverware.
[Citation: Tournament performance analysis and player updates compiled from recent club reports and match reviews.]