Such glaring issues fall on the head coach, and even someone as respected and loved as Ancelotti is not safe. The Italian manager spoke to the media after Real Madrid's defeat to AC Milan and admitted, "We don’t defend well. We need to be more compact.

“Italian football is very competitive. Today Fonseca felt comfortable because we were too open and he found an advantage.” The Real Madrid head coach also gave an interview to Sky Italia after the game, bemoaning a lack of cutting edge in the Milan box and ‘fragility’ out of possession.

Carlo Ancelotti has clearly spelled out Real Madrid's challenges, including a mental problem following their unexpected defeat to AC Milan in the Champions League.