The Emergence of Ancelotti's Pragmatic Side

MADRID, MONDAY – It is better to achieve modest but certain results than to aim for more with higher risks. This principle has begun to be firmly upheld by Carlo Ancelotti so that Real Madrid can surpass Barcelona at the top of the standings. Real opted for a narrow 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano despite having opportunities to score more goals. Ancelotti's pragmatism is not a taboo. In fact, it is the best solution amidst Real's culture as a highly demanding club.

Although set to visit Atletico Madrid's headquarters in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 next week, Ancelotti still fielded his full-strength squad when facing Rayo at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, on Sunday night (9/3/2025) WIB. Only goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Ruediger were absent. Courtois is still recovering from a minor injury, while Ruediger is reportedly suffering from the flu.

The decision not to rotate the squad was made by Ancelotti because every match is a final for Real. "Los Blancos" are currently in a tight race with Barca at the top of the standings. Both teams have collected 57 points, but Barca still has one game in hand. Therefore, Ancelotti is determined not to let go of a single match.

The Italian coach now also seems to be very cautious in every match. Despite having the opportunity for a big win against Rayo, Real played more pragmatically and was quite satisfied with the narrow 2-1 score. For Ancelotti, it is better to play it safe than to be aggressive and then slip up.

When you're 2-1 up in the 75th minute, all you have to do is stay out of trouble and defend well.

Rayo performed unexpectedly with great militancy. They were able to put up a fight despite having players of lower quality compared to Real. Throughout the match, they created six shots on target and one golden opportunity that was successfully converted into a goal by Pedro Diaz at the end of the first half. That goal reduced Rayo's deficit after Real had taken the lead earlier through Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

Real seemed unlike themselves. Ancelotti's team struggled to limit the movement of Rayo's players, causing several difficulties for their defense. Rayo managed to take 20 shots, a number twice as many as Real's. Rayo also became the team, apart from Barca, that managed to take significantly more shots than Real at the Bernabeu since 2008.

Moreover, Real recorded only 46 percent ball possession, losing out to Rayo, who were aggressive enough to achieve 54 percent. All these statistics indicate that Real has transformed into a highly pragmatic team in this match. They preferred to maintain their lead rather than attempt to dominate the game and score many goals.

"When you are 2-1 up in the 75th minute, what you have to do is stay out of trouble and defend well. I understand that people don't like it. But we have to take into account the busy schedule we have, also playing in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey," Ancelotti said after the match.

Real still has the chance to win three titles this season. Ancelotti is fully aware that Real is a club that is very obsessed with titles. Since long ago, Real has been known as a very demanding club. Moreover, this time the issue of replacing Ancelotti has started to circulate. Bayer Leverkusen coach, Xabi Alonso, is a strong candidate to replace Ancelotti. Several reports say that representatives from Real and Alonso have already had a meeting.

At the end of Ancelotti's first coaching period at Real in 2013-2015, he managed to present the Champions League title. However, Ancelotti was still not safe from being fired a few months later. This time the same risk is haunting him. So there is no choice for Ancelotti but to try to win all the titles that Real can win this season.

This is what then prompted Ancelotti to choose a pragmatic approach. For him, it is okay to lose dominantly throughout the match as long as you can win.

Not only Ancelotti, the need to continue winning matches without caring about the beauty of the game was also expressed by midfielder Federico Valverde. According to him, the current victory means much more to Real.

"The most important thing is to win and get the three points. The game was a bit difficult, but the most important thing is to keep winning and prepare for the midweek game, which is the Champions League, which is very important," Valverde said.

Playing it safe is Real's way to navigate the rest of the season. However, for a club that is very demanding, this is the best way. The beautiful approach that carries risks is no longer relevant to Real's vision, at least for now. (REUTERS)