Real Madrid’s recent defeat at the San Mames was a major setback that slowed the positive momentum in La Liga and put them in a difficult position.

The defeat came after a promising run in which the team managed to close the gap to Barcelona at the top of the league with three wins.

However, this defeat, which was due to both tactical missteps and individual mistakes, gives Carlo Ancelotti’s side something to think about.

Ancelotti’s men were unable to meet the challenge from Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club, who executed their game plan perfectly.

Two protagonists pointed this out

Real Madrid’s performance was lackluster, with two players causing the disappointment: Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde.

Mbappe, often a key figure, failed again and missed a crucial penalty. His struggles in recent games, including a similar failure at Anfield, have raised concerns about his consistency.

Meanwhile, Valverde, usually reliable, made a costly mistake that led directly to Athletic Club’s winning goal. His mistake in the defensive phase was crucial in this game.

Despite their poor performances, both players apologized on social media, but the defeat could have far-reaching consequences.

Message from Carlo Ancelotti

Not only does this impact Real Madrid’s title ambitions, but it could also impact Carlo Ancelotti’s future.

The pressure on the manager continues to mount, with many questioning whether his tactics and team selection are still right for the club.

However, Ancelotti remains positive and is urging his team to remain focused and resilient. After the defeat, the manager’s message to his players was clear: although they are down, they are far from finished.

“We are down, but we will rise from here. We are still alive in all competitions.” said the manager, as revealed by El Chiringuito TV.

He reminded them that Real Madrid is still alive in all competitions and that they can recover from this setback.

What will now be important for Ancelotti will be to quickly turn things around and get his players back to winning ways, with a focus on the next challenges that lie ahead.