Carlo Ancelotti’s new challenge: Steering Real Madrid away from 2014/15 Deja Vu | OneFootball

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is facing a familiar challenge that feels reminiscent of the 2014/15 season.

During the 2014/15 campaign, the team began strongly but stumbled midway, leading to a tough end to the season which is why Ancelotti’s main goal now is to prevent history from repeating itself, reports MARCA.

The team’s recent defeat at home to Barcelona has left them six points behind their rivals. Adding to the tension, a controversy surrounding the Ballon d’Or has unsettled the squad.

This situation has placed Ancelotti in a delicate position, with doubts about his future at the club. However, his focus remains on keeping the team competitive and avoiding the pitfalls that marked the end of his first term at Madrid.

What happened in the 2014/15 season?

Back in the 2014/15 season, Real Madrid had a stellar start but suffered a significant blow in January with a loss to Sevilla that ended a remarkable 22-game unbeaten streak.

From there, results began to slip. They faced defeats against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey and later lost league matches to Atletico, Athletic Bilbao, and Barcelona, ultimately finishing second in La Liga.

Carlo Ancelotti must salvage this season. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

In the Champions League, Real Madrid’s journey ended in the semi-final with a 2-3 aggregate loss to Juventus. Despite winning the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, Ancelotti left by season’s end, replaced by Rafa Benitez.

Navigating the issues this season

This season, Ancelotti is once again tasked with keeping Madrid’s campaign on track after a disappointing loss in El Clasico. Injuries have added further strain, exposing areas of weakness in the team.

Without Toni Kroos and with the new addition of Kylian Mbappe, Ancelotti has not yet found the right balance, and the integration of key players like Jude Bellingham remains an ongoing challenge.

Real Madrid remain hopeful that Ancelotti can rally the team and avoid a repeat of the 2014/15 setbacks.

By stabilising the squad and overcoming current obstacles, the manager aims to steer Real Madrid back to their winning ways and keep their season alive in both La Liga and the Champions League.