Carlo Ancelotti launches robust defence of Real Madrid’s Champions League struggles this season – as Italian coach makes bold claim for the rest of the competition

Carlo Ancelotti has defended his record at Real Madrid manager this season despite their struggles.

Ancelotti, who is in his second spell with the Spanish giants, has won 14 trophies across 310 games with the club, including three Champions League titles.

Real won the competition in 2023-24, but Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat by Liverpool saw their hopes of defending their crown thrown into doubt.

Los Blancos were outclassed at Anfield and now sit 24th in the league phase with two wins and three defeats from five games, meaning the club may fail to qualify for the knockout stages.

Real are also four points off the pace in LaLiga, where they have scored 14 goals fewer than arch-rivals Barcelona despite possessing a mouthwatering range of attacking talent that includes Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jnr and Kylian Mbappe.

Despite these struggles, Ancelotti played down the criticism and made a bold statement when pressed on Real’s difficult Champions League campaign so far.

Real suffered a damaging 2-0 defeat by Liverpool to leave them in 24th place in the league phase

Ancelotti won the Champions League last season, but Real’s hopes of defending it are in doubt

‘Remember that Real Madrid will be in Champions League final in Munich,’ he told Spanish radio station El Larguero. ‘We will be there.’

This season’s Champions League final will take place at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, but if Real fail to finish in the top 24 of the league phase, their hopes of reaching the showpiece event will be over.

The top eight teams in the new format of the competition automatically qualify for the last-16 stage, while the sides from ninth to 24th play in a preliminary knockout round.

Meanwhile, Ancelotti won the Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup and LaLiga in 2023-24, but Real have faced a whole host of problems this time around.

Not only has Mbappe struggled to settle at the Bernabeu since his blockbuster move from PSG on a free transfer in the summer, but the 15-time European champions are also facing a slew of injuries.

The likes of Vinicius Jnr, Rodrygo, David Alaba, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal and Aurelien Tchouameni are all currently on the sidelines, while others such as Bellingham have struggled for form.

Speaking after the defeat by Liverpool, Real icon Gareth Bale admitted he had sympathy for Ancelotti in what is a tough time for the Italian.

‘It is very difficult to compete in these circumstances with so many injuries,’ Bale told TNT Sports. ‘Many things are not working at the moment [at Madrid].

Real are facing several issues, including Kylian Mbappe’s struggles since he moved to the club

Ancelotti’s side are also currently off the pace in LaLiga, where rivals Barcelona lead the way

‘Real Madrid are going through a difficult period, but we know that they always find a way to overcome (their struggles),’ he added.

Mbappe’s disappointing start to his time at the club has been a major talking point, with the Frenchman missing a penalty against the Reds.

He has netted nine goals in 18 games, but just one of these have come in the Champions League and the beleaguered forward is yet to hit the heights that many expected him to in the Spanish capital.

However, Ancelotti backed Mbappe and claimed he knew exactly what was needed to get him back to his best.

‘It has happened many times that forwards have a hard time scoring,’ he said. ‘There is a medicine which is to be patient. It is a difficult moment for him, especially after missing the penalty. Everyone has to support him.’

He added: ‘He may be a bit lacking in confidence. When things don’t go your way, the idea you have to have is to play simple. 

‘It’s a bit like this moment, but you can’t judge him for missing a penalty. All players miss penalties. He has to keep working well. We have to be patient because he’s an extraordinary player.’

Real return to action when they entertain Getafe at the Bernabeu in LaLiga on Sunday afternoon.